13. Magnolia is all about guilt, trauma, and the need to be excellent to each other (Glaring Admissions)

Nick and Raekwon sit down to discuss Magnolia. The 1999 film is an ensemble Drama that was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA). It follows several characters in the San Fernando Valley through their day as they pursue happiness, forgiveness, peace, and meaning (while music by Aimee Mann plays). It was released to critical acclaim and was nominated for several Academy Awards, along with two Golden Globes. Of them, Tom Cruise brought home the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. In this episode, Nick and Raekwon tackle:- Why the film was named “Magnolia”- Whether this is the best performance of Tom Cruise’s career (along with the quality of the other performances by John C. Reilly, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman and William H. Macy, to name a few)- What parallels can be drawn between guys like Frank T.J. Mackey and male influencers in the current day- What the film represents in broader culture.