Magnolia (1999) Final Scene

The final scene of Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia. The song is Save Me by Aimee Mann.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• magnolia
• paul thomas anderson
• aimee mann
• claudia wilson gator
• jim kurring
• melora walters
• john c. reilly
• breaking the fourth wall
• save me

[WWAAK]

I think that this film is one of the five best films I've ever seen. Almost every person I know who's seen it goes 'Why do you like that super-grim three hour movie?'. Each man to his own I guess, but this movie does what art is supposed to do as far as my life is concerned, which is not to escape from life, but to RE-AFFIRM that life is worth living. And that smile does just that.

PTA, You're honestly the best filmmaker of your generation, and your movies have made my life better. Thanks.

[rvanderhallen]

I like how we, just like Claudia, can't hear everything Jim says, just some keywords pop out through the song. Just like in real life when somebody comforts you, you only hear the words that sound the most soothing.. The song makes us perceive exactly what Claudia is perceiving and makes us feel exactly how she's feeling at that moment. When she finally looks in the camera you feel a connection with the character that's so profound i cannot think of another example like this in any movie. Magic!

[jollybengali887]

Favorite scene ever. No exaggeration.

[MGReilly86]

Still one of the most amazing movies ever. Period.

[dariusasghari]

only top comments to ever articulate my exact same opinion.

[anon94707]

this movie is only surpassed by its ending. best ever.

[SaintDufus]

At the very end, when Claudia suddenly looks up at the camera and smiles, I always tear up: for in that moment we realize Claudia might just make it after all, against the odds. It is a smile of tentative hope, breaking through despair as the sunlight breaks through a cluster of endless winter clouds. And Claudia's hope is our hope: for we are all burdened with our own demons, and we all need to know there's sunlight beyond those clouds; so this moment is an inspiration to me (thanks Paul).

[droid740]

I'm glad this film affects others the same way it affected me. I was unemployed, but with money in the bank and absolutely no purpose when I saw this film and it got in my guts. I had to see it two more times to process all the feelings I had watching it. And I do agree that his dialogue is unimportant in that we KNOW what he'd say anyway. Her smile is the thing that the film builds towards.

[GoldenChantarelle]

Crying for real now. This is such genious, so beautiful. I'm just a 29 year old in Sweden but I relate with other people who had gone through similar experience as her in real life. I cried cried when I watched/listened to this.

[CloudX100]

I love those slow close-ups. P.T. is absolute genius filmmaker.

[wiiDd91]

@LaxNoise

cause the dialogue its not that important anymore and this beautiful song tells everything

[knotightul]

@Limposium You're right about the "ONLY." Three hours is a pretty short time to see this scene. Especially when those 3 hours are Magnolia.