I really enjoyed the film and thought it was an emotionally intense trip. There were some emmensely affecting moments (I got a kick out of that scene where everyone breaks out in the same song). I felt some of the characters, however, had their parts pitched too high, like the abused daughter and Julianne Moore's character. Quite a bit of shrieking going on there. I also found the substory of the policeman looking for love dragged somewhat. But those points were overshadowed by the great story between Jason Robards (that dying man's rant was brilliant) and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Cruise's bit was great (why do I feel I really got to know a side of Tom Cruise?) and so was Willam H Macy's story. The little boy on the game show and Philip Baker Hall (he should have gotten a f-ing nomination for that part) were really wonderful. Okay... did the film hold together? The first time I watched it, I watched it in two part and I think that break really might have helped. I really wanted to get back to finishing it, and when I did - I really loved the film. It was during my next viewing that I thought the film might be somewhat overwrought. But I also think the theme of "coincidence" really did'nt hold water. That certainly could have been tied up a lot neater. Did the character's paths every really cross at the finish? Not really. And I dug the frogs, but, come on, what DID that mean? Someone enlighten me.
Now "Boogie Nights" that was a masterpiece. One of the best films in the last 20 years. Reminded me so much of Robert Altman at his peak. That film immediately convinced me that Paul Anderson is going to be one of the great ones.
