The Vancouver Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 49

TIIF. VANCOUVER SUN. FRIDAY, DFCKMBFR 24, IW) 1)9 ijijiim (feu s00 Magnolia a dark masterpiece am MOVIE WEEKEND P(HKr a an' 1V MAGNOLIA Starring Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeremy Blackman, William H. Macy and Philip Baker Hall. I4A.180min.

KATHERINE MONK SUN MOVIE CRITIC Fusing chaos and order in one small frame, Paul Thomas Anderson appears to achieve the impossible in his mind-blowing new film Magnolia. A rambling collage of personal stories without any obvious focal point, Anderson's entire canvas appears to be completely random. For the first hour of this 180-minute sprawl, nothing really hangs together and the film looks like a complete disaster. This is no accident. In the opening scenes of the film, Anderson relates factual stories gleaned from the life work of Charles Fort, an American journalist who spent his life chronicling strange events that could not be explained through science.

Instead of tossing out these inexplicable phenomena, Fort insisted on collecting data as much data as possible in an attempt to understand, thus giving birth to the notion of the "Fortean philosophy" that demands all factors must be considered, regardless of apparent inconsistencies. To enlighten us, and no doubt to put us in the same fractured and somewhat alien mindset inhabited by the chronically depressed Fort, Anderson opens the film with a few Fortean stories that point out the absurdity that surrounds us such as a story of a man who attempts suicide by throwing himself off a building, only to be shot dead by his own mother on the way down. From this mind-altering beginning, Anderson's whole tale free-falls into the unknown. Unfolding several petals of fate with a delicate touch, he introduces us to a variety of characters who appear to have nothing in common. First, there is Earl Partridge (Jason Robards), a rich old television producer dying of cancer.

His second wife Linda (Julianne Moore) wants to help her dying spouse, but finds herself wracked by guilt because when they first married, she didn't love him. Now that she realizes just how much she Robert Altman's Short Cuts, in which several stories connect on a concrete level, Anderson's tale actually moves the other way because he resists closure at every turn. Connections between characters are not always tangible, ensuring that Anderson's story unfolds in abstract, purely emotional space as though he, too, were free-falling off that building waiting for fate to make the final call. For a viewer, this makes for a rather unsettling experience as we desperately search for logic, structure and some sense of reason behind the whole ugly mess. However, if we let go of formality and fall alongside Anderson and his flailing cast of characters, the emotional connections become that much stronger, and suddenly every character in the piece begins to reflect the others.

All these people have "fallen" and now they are looking for forgiveness either from God, a son, a daughter, a wife, a boss or from themselves. Anderson never really spells it all out, but it's there in every dark, over-saturated frame. The director and his cinematographer, Robert Elswit, ensure that almost every character is framed alone. If there are other people in the picture, there is always something in the middle a counter, a table, a desk to emphasize the message that our modern existentialist state is something we created. We may feel alone in the world, but that's because we made a choice to hate our fellow man.

It didn't have to be this way. In the end, after much doom and gloom and a taste of armageddon, An-' derson gives us a ray of sunlight. It is lit- tie more than a mumble, the first trace of a smile on the face of a self-loathing 7 victim, a tear on the cheek of a leather-1 clad macho man but it's there. Creating such a complex web of hu- manity is easy, but making it work without forced strokes and bent char-; acters is a true achievement. With Magnolia, Anderson has not only cre-, ated a little masterpiece that promises to resonate weeks after you see it, he I has also proven himself to be one of I the most important American film- makers of our times.

At the Fifth Avenue Cinemas. -JPL. TOLlSMNp ALONE: Melora Walters in Magnolia. cares, Linda wants to be excluded from the will, but there's a snag: Earl has only one living relative, an errant son named Frank Mackey (Tom Cruise) who has established his own identity as a male sex guru. Frank and Earl hate each other for a variety of reasons, but when a home-care nurse (Philip Seymour Hoffman) hears of Earl's desire to make peace with his long-lost son, the two men are destined to reconnect.

This is the main plot in Magnolia, but there are several other tangents that spin off the hub to serve as thematic reinforcements, including a good-guy cop who prays to make a difference, a game-show host who has made his living exploiting children, the daughter of the game-show host who is addicted to cocaine, a former contestant on the same game show whose life has spiralled downward ever since he won as a child, and his modern reflection, a whiz kid whose own father pushes him to be a winner no matter what the cost. Hovering from plot to plot, plunging for the sweet nectar of real emotion in each human flower, Anderson begins a complex process of cross-pollination. Similar in feel to something like Ci iiiiii i I FAMOUS PLAYERS i i FAMOUS PLAYERS i FAMOUS PLAYEfiS i I FAMOUS PLAYERS i FAMOUS PLAYERS FAMOUS PLAYERS 1 the Ti p- rcAPiTOLeTi SLVEBCflY SH.VERCnY0Bra,D COLOSSUS iwjcMfffliTI rjLAWDE67 i CWfPlEXOOfON 1 i CINEPLFXOOEON i i ALLIANCE ATLANTIS i CAPRICE i HABfllS TOAD GROUP 1 i LANDMARK FIFTH AVENUE7 ICE4-i1' PARIS ROADSUm, ABBOrSF0RD'n'l STARTS TOMORROW! CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES FOR SHOWTIMES tk "ESS OPENS JANUARY 1 2000 I in uuuri (3N ArrA-A Tw. al DONT MISS THE CINEMATIC EVENT OF THE MIUENNIUM! AVOID THE LINE UPS CALL NOW FOR ADVANCE TICKETS FANTA5IA Vl'V The Magic Box lakes you on on exotic adventure ocinc, nivcnrvnii sf iiwiv Join some wayward aliens for a NON-STOP, tun filled stomach churning roller coaster ride! Mowing the life stories of the world's greatest illusionist's! COLOSSUS. SI 3-1610 iWTtmrn warn ummni mm i CIDER HOUSE RULES Sat 3:15 7:00 9:30 Sun 12:10 3:15 7:00 9.50 oTOV STORY 2 Fti 12:40 1:15 2:00 3:00 3:454:30 5:15 7:10 7:45 Sal 3:45 4:30 515 7:10 7.50 10:05 Sun 12:40 1:15 2.00 3.00 3:45 4:305:15 7:10 7.50 10:05 DEUCE BH3ELOW MALE GIGOLO Fri 1:00 3:20 5:30 7:30 7:45 Sal 5:30 7:30 8 0S 9:45 10:40 Sun 1:003:20 5:30 7:30 8:05 9:45 10 40 BICENTENNIAL MAN Fri 12 50 1:25 3:50 4:25 7:00 7:45 Sat 350 4:25 7:00 7:45 10:00 10:30 Sun 12:50 1:25 3:50 4:25 7:00 7:46 10:00 10:30 STUART LITTLE Fri 12:25 1:05 2:30 3:104:35 570 7:25 Stt 4.35 5:20 7:25 9:30 Sun 12:25 1 OS 2:30 3: 10 4:35 5:20 775 9:30 OALAXV QUEST Sat 4:00 7:15 9 40 Sun 1:10 4:00 7:15 9:40 eANNA AND THE KINO Fri 12:30 3:40 6,45 Sal 3.40 6.45 10:15 Sun 12.JQ 3.40 645 10:15 SLEEPY HOLLOW Fri 7:40 Sat.

Sun 7:40 10:35 THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY Sat 3 25 7:05 10:10 Sun 12:15 325 7:05 10 10 THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH Fn 4:20 7:35 Sat 4:20 7:35 10:25 Sun 4:20 7:35 1025 POKEMON130 MAN ON THE MOON Fri 12:55 3:55 7:20 Sat 3:55 720 10:20 Sun 12:55 3.55 7:20 10:20 THE GREEN MILE Fri 12.45 4:45 Sat 4:45 8:15 8 45 Sun 12:45 4:45 IS 8:45 ANY GIVEN SUNDAY Fn 12:00 3:35 7:10 Sal 3:35 7:10 8:30 10:45 Sun 12:00 3 35 7 10 8 30 10 45 I iiiiiiiimiinni I ALIEN ADVENTURE (IMAX 30) Fn 1:00470 5:208:40 10:50 Sat 4:20 5:20 8:40 10 50 Sun 1:00 4:20 5:20 GENERAL ISLAND Of THE SHARKS (IMAM) Fri, Sun 2:00 3:10 7:30 9 40 Sat 7:30 9:40 GENERAL MYSTERIES Of EGYPT 6:20 GENERAL MM ADVANCE TKKCT SALES: $13-1910 QROUP SALES V1-MAX I MAX' MfAf T)T AVI Kin CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES IN WW 1 LAI FOR LOCATIONS AND SHOWTIMES COMING DEC. 25TH CIDER HOUSE RULES Sal 4:10 7:10 10:10 Sun 1:15 4 10 7:10 10.10 TOY STORY 2 Fri 12:16 12:45 1:05 2:30 3:00 4 00 4:50 5:10 7:00 7:20 Sat 3:00 4:00 4:50 5:10 7:00 770 9:40 Sun 12:16 12:45 1:05 2-30 3:00 4:004 50 510 7:00 7:20 9:40 DEUCE BIGELOW MALE GIGOLO Fri 12:35 240 5 00 6:45 7:35 Sat 3 00 7:35 8 00 9.50 10 35 Sun 12:35 2:40 5:00 7:35 OO 9 50 10.35 BICENTENNIAL MAN Fn 12:30 1:00 3:30 4:10 7:05 7:25 Sal 3:30 4:10 7:05 7:25 10:051 025 Sun 12:30 1:00 3:30 4:10 7:05 7:25 10:05 1025 STUART LITTLE Fri 12:05 12:25 2:30 2:50 4:50 15 7:10 7:30 Sal 12:05 2:30 4:50 5:15 7 10 7:30 930 Sun 12:05 122 5 2:30 2:504.50 5.15 7:10 7:30 9.30 GALAXY QUEST Sat 4:20 7:30 10:15 Sun 1:104 20 7:30 1015 12 40 ANNA AND THE KING Fn 12.41) 3.45 Sal 3 45 6.50 10:05 Sun 12:40 3:45 6:50 10:05 SLEEPY HOLLOW Fn 3:20 7:55 SM.Sun 3:20 7.55 10:20 THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY Sal 3-50 7:15 10.30 Sun 12 35 3:50 7:15 10:30 THE WORLD NOT ENOUGH Fn 12 20 1:15 3.154:15 7:05 7:25 Sal 3:15 7 25 1015 Sun 12:20 3:15 7 25 10:15 MAN ON THE MOON Fri 12:50 1:20 3:40 4:40 7:15 7:40 Sal 3:40 4:40 7:15 7:40 10 00 1025 Sun 12:50 1:20 3:40 4:40 7:15 7:40 10:00 1025 POKE MOW Fn.Sun 1220 THE GREEN MILE Fn 1225 4:30 Sal 4:30 7:50 8 45 Sun 12:25 4 30 7:50 8 45 ANY GIVEN SUNDAY Fri 12 00 3:30 7:00 720 Sat 3:30 7:00 7:40 10.30 Sun 12:00 3:30 7:00 7:40 1 030 theTALENTED iTitwwua.iiii..w:t.i 1 MK-KlrLtil CIOER HOUSE RULES Sat 4 00 7:35 10 45 Sun 12 454 00 7 35 10 45 TOY STORY 2 Fn 11 30 12:30 1:46 3:154:46 720 Sat 4:45 720 9:30 Sun 11:30 1230145 3:154:45 7:20 9:30 DEUCE BIGELOW MALE GIGOLO Fri 1220 2 30 4:30 7:30 Sal 4:30 7 30 9 40 Sun 12:20 2:30 4:30 7:30 9:40 ANNA AND THE KING Fr 1150 J.lt) 6.50 Sal 3.10 6-50 10.10 Sun 11:50 3:10 6 5010:10 THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY Sat 3 50 7:15 1020 Sun 12:40 150 7:15 1020 THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH Fn 7:05 Sat.Sun 7:05 8 .50 MAN ON THE MOON Fn 1:10 3:45 7:40 Sal 3:45 7:40 10:40 Sun 1:10 3:45 BICENTENNIAL MAN Fn 1215 3:30 7:10 Sal 3:30 7:10 1025 Sun 1215 3:30 M0 1025 7:40 10:40 STUART LITTLE FH 11:40 200 4 20 6 45 iTHE GREEN MILE Fri 1210 4:15 Sat 4:15 8:15 Sun 12 10 4:15 8:15 Sat 4 20 6-45 900 Sun 11:40 2 00 4 20 6:45 9 00 ANY GIVEN SUNDAY Fn 12 00 3.40 7.00 Sat 3.40 7:00 10:30 Sun 12:00 3 40 GALAXY QUEST Sat 4:40 7:46 10.15 Sun 1:00 4:40 7:45 10-15 7:00 10.30 1 ITl.TTr?"- TOY 6TORV2Fn 12 10 12 40 1.10 2 20 2 50 4 00 4 40 5.10 6-iu 6 50 SaiSun 1210 1240 1 10 220 2 50 4 00 4 40 5:10 6.20 6 50 9:00 OEUCE BIGELOW MALE GIGOLO Fri 1250 3:10 520 720 7:50 SatSufl SLEEPV HOLLOW f-n 7 45 Ml bun I 4b 1ti .15 THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY Sat.Sun 12204:10 7 IS 10 40 THE WORLO NOT ENOUGH Fn 3 40 7:30 Sat Sun 3 40 7 30 10 30 POKE WON 12:15 THE GREEN MIcE Fri 1230 4:20 8.10 Sal.Sun 12.30 4:20 8:10 8.40 ANY GIVEN SUNDAY Fri 12 00 3 30 7:10 Sal.

Sun 12:00 3:30 7:10 10:50 12 50 310 5 20 7 20 7:50 9.50 10 20 BICENTENNIAL MAN Fri 1240 3 SO 7:00 Sat.Sun 1240 3 50 7:00 1000 GALAXY QUEST Sal. Sun 1:204:30 7:40 10:10 IT UTi Wit" CIDER HOUSE RULES Sat 12. 15 3.45 10 10.10 Stun U. 15 344 7.10 lulu 12 50 fSTC) SufcfK to ciMfAcaloA TOY STORY 2 Fn 1215 12:40 1:10 240 3:45 4:10 600 7:15 7:35 Sat 1215 12 40 1:10 2 40 3 20 3 50 8 50 7:35 10:00 Sun 1215 12.40 1.10 240 3:20 3 50 5:10 6 45 7 35 1000 12 45 GENERAL DEUCE BfQELOW MALE G4GO4.0 Fri 1220 1:00 230 110 3 40 4 40 TflO 7 SO Sal 1270 230 3 10 4 40 7 00 7 20 9 50 1015 Sun 1220 2 30 4.40 7.10 ANNA AMD Iht KING i UJJvoU oAlui U- l.i luxO PARENTAL GUIDANCE Votonca; may dtUu young cMrJnm SLEEPY HOLLOW Fn 7 20 Sat 7,30 10 05 Sun 7 30 10 OS 1230 14A THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY Sal 1:30 4 30 7 30 1O20 Sun 1225 3 40 7:15 1045 THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH Fri 12 35 105 3 35 4 OS 6 45 7:00 Sal.

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MATINEES 4 TUESDAYS ar-me MSIOER SM Sun 7 30 OALAXT QUEST 7:20 3S Sun 40 4 OO 720 3 PSLEERT HOLLOW Fri 134.50 Sal 7 0S 20) Sun 2:154.50 7.05 9 20 THE WORLO IS NOT ENOUOM Fn I SO 4 IS EM 7 15 IOOO Sun I 504 15 7 1410 OO THE SOME COLLECTOR Fn 1:55 4 3D I4A Qory wAn 4 CPOKEMOM FaLSun 2 00 4 30 THE OREEN Mil Fn 12 20 4 20 Sal 30 Sunl2 2O4 2OS30 TAUT GIVEN SUNOAT Fri 12 OS 330 SM 7 00 IO30 Sun 12 00 3 30 7 00 IO 30 t-V TARZAM Fn Sun 2 OO 4 10 nNSRECTOR GADGET Fn I 20 4 30 Sun 1:153 4 TtAN0044 HEARTS. SM.Sun 7 15 IO OO TIGHT CLUO FN 1 OS 4.00 SM 7 OO 55 Sun 1.004007005 TtURERSTAR Fn 1 50 3 SO SM 7 OS 10 Sun 1:30330 7:05 IO LOVE STINKS Fn 1 IS 3 20 SM 7 30 9 40 Sun 1 103 20 7 30 9 40 nHOUSC ON HAUNTED MLL SM.Sun 7 25 3D THREE KMGS Fn 1 30 4 20 SM 7 10 45 Sun 103 SO 7.10 45 iTOrttoV i fti I Sun 1:45 4 30 7 30 30 OCUCE BKlCLOWr MALE GIGOLO Fni2 4O2 45 5 0O735S4l5O07.36 050 Sun 124O2 45S 00 7 35 9 5O tO) (CENTENNIAL MAN Fn 12 45 4 10 7 OS Sa 4 10 7 OS 45 Sun 12 45 4 10 7 OS 9 45 THE TALENTED MR RMIE hm 4 00 10:00 Sun 1G040O7IO100O THE WORLO IS NOT ENOUGH Fn TOO 4 OO 7: 10 THE GREEN MILE Fn 12 30 JO Sal iO 0. 19 Sun 12 30 4 TOO 15 ANV GIVEN SUNOAT FH12M3W445 Sal 3.40 7 OO 10 15 Sun 12 35 3 4 7 00 IS IS MFwriM FJJ wiflFfwl check theatre directories for LOCATIONS AND SHOWTIMES.