Boogie Nights
Paul Thomas Anderson’sMagnoliais consider one of the fine films to be give rise in the past two decades . The three - hour multi - narrative tarradiddle of several interconnected Los Angelinos earned three Oscar nominations and two Golden Globes , including a win for starTom Cruisein a Supporting Role .
Also starring Jason Robards , Philip Seymour Hoffman , John C. Reilly , Melora Walters , William H. Macy , Philip Baker Hall , and a large supporting ensemble , Magnoliatakes place over the row of 24 hours as a series of people grapple with their tumultuous stations in liveliness . With the film celebrating the 20th day of remembrance of its theatrical release , here are 10 behind - the - scenes facts about the do ofMagnolia .
Original Idea/Final Cut
in the beginning , the mind for Anderson was to make a pocket-sized , quick , informal film . He began working on the character of Claudia ( Walters ) first , but the deeper he get , the more complex the report became .
Script Process
Anderson compose most of the screenplay forMagnoliawhile holed up in Willam H. Macy ’s set apart cabin in rural Vermont . After spot a snake outside , Anderson was too afraid to bequeath the cabin , so he hunkered down and wrote a lengthy manuscript .
In increase , the music of Aimee Man was a major inspiration for Anderson during the screenwriting appendage . Mann ’s music is not only have conspicuously on the soundtrack but Anderson cribs lyrics from one of her call and frame them into the dialogue . The representative comes when Claudia take Jim ( Reilly ) , " Now that I ’ve met you , would you object to never seeing me again ? "
Poster/Trailers
When it came time to advance the film , New Line pressured Anderson into making Tom Cruise the focal point of the official one - canvas bill . When Anderson told them the movie was more of an ensemble bit than a Tom Cruise film , he took matter into his own hands .
Anderson not only designed all of the poster forMagnolia , but he also edit all of the lagger for the movie , as well . The main poster features a big Magnolia flower , a optic motive that come out in every exclusive scene in the film .
Earl Partridge
According to Philip Baker Hall , who has make love Anderson since his first film , Sidney , the part of Earl Partridge ( Robards ) is based on Anderson ’s own Padre , Ernie Anderson . Anderson was a late - dark WABC - television announcer who got his start hosting behemoth - movies in Cleveland .
Specifically , Hall claim that the scene of Frank T.J. Mackey ( Cruise ) call Earl on his deathbed is taken from the director ’s experience dealing with his father Ernie ’s terminal Crab .
George C. Scott
Before Jason Robards was throw up Earl Partridge in the film , Anderson set about veteran player George C. Scott to play the part . However , Scott was n’t too thrilled about the script .
After reading the script , Scott reportedly threw it across the room and profanely intimated that it was the worst matter he ’d ever show and that the voice communication was awful . Robards was subsequently cast to play the character dying of lung and genius genus Cancer . Robards died of lung cancer less than a year after the release of the picture show . Magnoliawas his final moving-picture show .
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruisewas such a giant fan ofBoogie Nightsthat he reached out to Anderson on his own to express interestingness in working with him in the future . As Anderson lead off publish the script with Cruise in mind , he visited the solidification ofStanley Kubrick’sEyes all-embracing Shutin England and put up Cruise the part of Frank T.J. Mackey .
At first , Cruise was restrained to play a character so unlike his motion picture lead persona . However , Mackey was so dissimilar than repressed Bill Harford inEyes all-encompassing Shutthat he was thrilled to accept the role .
Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds earned the only Oscar nominating speech of his fabled film career for his comeback role in Anderson’sBoogie Nights . But when Anderson approached Reynolds to roleplay a role inMagnolia , he said no .
The intellect for his decline was due to the latent hostility formed between Reynolds and Anderson while on the promotional electric circuit forBoogie Nights . Reynolds became upset with Anderson during the promo duty tour and turn down the office . It is not experience which character he was offered .
Fiona Apple
At the time of gain the pic , Anderson was dating instrumentalist Fiona Apple , who made multiple contributions to the final cutting off . For dispatcher , several of the painting and art hung in the pic were create by Apple .
In addition , when Phil Parma ( Hoffman ) prognosticate the ill-timed turn in the attack to get to Frank Mackey , the voice of the woman he speaks to is none other than Apple ’s . Anderson would go on to maneuver several of Apple music videos , even after separate .
Falling Frogs
For the iconic segment in which a torrential rain of toads hits Magnolia Blvd , just about 8,000 caoutchouc frogs were create and allocated to film the scene . electronic computer - beget anuran were also used , sparing the harm of real frogs during production .
Anderson sire the idea of rain toads from the writings of Charles Fort . While thought to be an allegory , the phenomenon really happens when hefty storms peck up frogs when passing over lakes and pool before dumping them elsewhere . The occurrence once happened to Philip Baker Hall while vacationing in Italy .
Exodus 8:2
away from the lily-white Magnolia flower appearing in every scene , a visual motif in the motion-picture show features the Biblical passage Exodus 8:2 . The paired numbers 8 and 2 are referenced more than 100 prison term in the film . A few example include an 82 % chance for rainwater , a blackjack mitt of the 8 and 2 of rhombus , a sign for " Exodus 8:2 " during the quiz show , etc .
hejira 8:2 states : " If you decline to let them go , I will send a pestilence of frog on your whole country . " While get the film , Anderson subtly suggest at the climax of the movie wit the go back use of the number 8 and 2 .
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