“We may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us”
This is a story of a boy genius, and the game show host, and a former boy genius. This is a story of a dying man, his long lost son, the dying man’s wife, and the caretaker of the dying man. This is a story of a mother, and the daughter, and a police officer. These stories are connected to each other.
Directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson. Stars are Jeremy Blackman (Stanley Spector), Tom Cruise (Frank Mackey), Melinda Dillon (Rose Gator), Phillip Baker Hall (Jimmy Gator), Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Phil Parma), William H. Macy (Donnie Smith), Julianne Moore (Linda Partridge), John C. Reilly (Officer Jim Kurring), Jason Robards (Earl Partridge), Melora Walters (Claudia Gator).
The opening scene, narrated by Ricky Jay, tell stories of phenomenal coincidences. Those stories definitely shows how human beings are so keen and so focus on our lives, mission, goals. So focused on our past, present and future. We always plan and get so caught up in our lives to a point that the universe had to step in and interrupt our plans. It’s actually mind-blowing.
All of the characters are either linked by family, coincidences, and the similarity of their lives. The concept of the movie is about their dying fathers, the grudges of their children, goals and plans compromised by unexplained phenomenon. Most of the characters are somehow involved in a television show.
Earl Partridge, who plays a dying rich man who produces a game show. Jimmy Gator, also a dying man, is the host of the game show. Frank Mackey, popular of his technique on how to seduce women, son of Earl Partridge. Claudia Gator, consumers most her life with drugs, daughter of Jimmy Gator. Donnie Smith, a former boy genius, now an adult who’s hope to get dental braces could get the attention of a bartender he’s having a crush on. Stanley Spector, present-day boy genius on Jimmy Gator’s game show.
Their connections mainly clicked together. Both Earl Partridge and Jimmy Gator, left their children. Stanley and his father are probably on the verge of distancing themselves between each other. Both men have cheated on their wife in the past. Both of them have always focused on their work, the television. Both has employees who care deeply for them as their own families. The former and present-day boy genius, Donnie Smith and Stanley Spector, are left uncertain of their future.
Then there’s minor stories with minor connections. Like the caretaker of Earl Partridge, Phil Parma and a cop who’s interested in dating Claudia Gator, Officer Jim Kurring. Both of their characteristics and career description fits well. Their need for help. Phil needed to somehow grant his dying patient’s last wish. Jim needed to emotionally help Claudia who also fell in love for her.
Then there’s these dramatic scenes. Like when Frank broke down during an interview session. Then there’s one during the deathbed scene with his father. Julianne Moore’s character, Linda Partridge’s mental breakdown in a pharmacy is quite similar to how nervous Claudia Gator was during her encounter with a cop in her house. Both women are prone to drugs.
This is the type of movie that I would say yes to watch this film within a heartbeat. The type of movie that I would leave any logic or theories that anyone would suggest. The movie is definitely telling us that everything will only fall in the hands of God. It’s truly humbling. They plan, and God plans. Surely, God is the best of planners. But alas, we are only human, and sometimes, just maybe, our plans eventually succeeded.
RATING: 10/10
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