"If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs." -- Exodus 8:2 (New International Version)

And so it is that "Magnolia" reveals itself as a movie about debt, forgiveness and release: the killer's debt to the devil, the long-lost child's forgiveness and the release of confession. It is the definitive lesson on regret and letting others go.

I am told there are some who say the movie was boring or that they couldn't relate to the characters. I can only assume these people lead lives empty of regret. To be so lucky.

Several stories weave as one, brought together with tight, personal composition and Altman-like long takes. The performances are riveting: Everyone's believable and sympathetic, and even Tom Cruise comes dangerously close to being taken seriously. My only complaint is a 15-minute segment that drags late in the movie, but that could have been because the first 100 minutes were so perfect and wildly entertaining. (Update: The second time I went, I recognized this segment as the most illuminating portion of the film. It is a poignant pivot that unites complications with their resolution.)

Because Paul Anderson begins the movie three quick tales of grand coincidence, one is led to believe the rest of the movie will unfold as the mother of all coincidences. It does so, but very subtly. Yes, there are the parallel plots (2 troubled quiz kids, 2 dying quiz celebrities, 2 prodigal quiz offspring), but I'd suggest the great coincidence is this: In the end, we get what we deserve. Truly, there is no greater coincidence -- no greater balance between debt and payment -- than karma.

Anderson's style matches the outrageousness and wit of David Wallace's "Infinite Jest," and I can't help but think the final interstitial -- "So now then" -- is an homage to the writer.

It's yet another three-hour movie, but one filled with dynamic characters and hidden details. I'm eager to see it again to search for the details I missed the first time.

To wit: The credits to the "What do Kids Know?" game show flash a URL (www.wdkk.com), which redirects to the official "Magnolia" web site. I noticed that phone numbers in the movie did not include the "555" prefix, so I am curious if these, too, redirect to an official promotion. If you see this movie, why don't you write down the phone numbers and e-mail these to me? Do it for the karma!

Update: Matt of www.metafilter.com observes that (877) TAME-HER plays an amusing clip from the movie.




Update after seeing the movie again:

* The phone number for the A to Z Pharmacy ((818) 775-3993) is said aloud and appears on the bag. The message at the number is a generic "Please leave a message at the tone," followed by "Mailbox is full." There is in fact an A to Z Pharmacy in North Hollywood, but its number is (818) 985-8151. (Phil gives another phone number when he calls the grocery store, but I missed it.)

* Earl Partridge is a jazz fan: His dogs' names are Max, Miles and Blakey, as in Roach, Davis and Art.

* Donnie mumbles something about Exodus and "sins of the father" when he is kneeling at the toilet. I'm thinking (thanks to help from www.hollywoodjesus.com) he's quoting Exodus 34:7 (NIV): "(God) does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

Instances of 82:

* The hanged man has on his chest a sign that reads "82."

* The plane has an 82 on its side.

* The gambler wants a 2; he gets an 8.

* The sign says the meeting of forensic scientists is to start at 8:20.

* The Barringers live in apartment 682.

* Rope on the roof is coiled to spell "82."

* Jim Kurring's personal box number is 82.

* The first interstitial says "Partly Cloudy, 82% Chance of Rain."

* Marcie's ID number in her mug shot is "20820820820820."

* The electronics store has an "Exodus 8:2" sticker on its front door.

* A man or woman resembling Ed McMahon waves an "Exodus 8:2" sign at the start of the game show; it is taken from her.

* The bus stops along Magnolia Street have "Exodus 8:2" signs.

* In the bar, the darts score is 8-2.

Update after seeing the movie a third time:

* When Phil tries to reach Frank the first time, he uses the same number as the pharmacy. ("Is this (818) 775-3993?") When he calls the grocery store, he gives (818) 775-4224 as the Partridge phone number. This number connects to the Washington Mutual Bank voice mail system.

Instances of Magnolia:

* Many outside shots include Magnolia Street, and in the third act the characters' cars intersect at the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Magnolia Street.

* Many rooms have pictures of magnolias, from the pilot's room in the prologue to the Gators' home later.

* Across the street from the electronics store, a flower shop is advertising magnolias on its marquee.



Recommended: Yes