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Magnolia: The Shooting Script
Presents a script of the film, along with photographs, complete credits, and an interview with the writer and director
- GenresFilmMedia Tie InFiction
212 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Paul Thomas Anderson
19 books62 followersPaul Thomas Anderson is a five-time Academy Award-nominated American filmmaker.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 25, 2023
coke-fueled cinematic greatness set in the valley. oh, and that powerful ending… surreal and inevitable.
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July 7, 2025loved the part of the closing interview where pta mentions the value of straightforward dialogue (w reference to stanley’s final lines to his dad) … one of the most impactful parts of the movie for that exact reason !!! it’s incredible how closely the final cut of the film follows this script (with the exception of cruise as tj mackey … truly robbed of that oscar .. not that the original dialogue WOULDNT have worked but mannn his changes really make that storyline and character something special) . i need to watch this again
July 19, 2024
The film’s a masterpiece, and the screenplay’s virtually identical apart from a handful of short scenes (mostly a more fleshed out Worm subplot) which PTA smartly excised either in production or post-.
December 28, 2025
Magnolia, written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Magnolia is one of the best films produced over the last twenty years, one of the few masterpieces written and directed by the phenomenal Paul Thomas Anderson, other outstanding films signed by the same author include: There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights.
The cast of Magnolia is a Dream Team, with Tom Cruise winning the Golden Globe for his role as Frank T.J. Mackey, an obnoxious, misogynistic celebrity and guru, Jason Robards as Earl Partridge – the dying father of the male chauvinist – Julianne Moore as Linda Partridge, his wife, Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Nurse Phil Parma and many other sensational actors.
As Earl Partridge is dying, he makes an attempt to come to terms, find closure, speaks about his abandoning a dying wife, who would be cares for by his son, who has chosen the name Frank Mackey and does not want to talk to his loathsome father, up to the point where he is contacted by nurse Phil Parma.
Meanwhile, Linda Partridge admits in front of her lawyer that she had married her suffering spouse out of interest, but paradoxically, she has started to love him as he got sick, she is so repentant now that she wants to change the will and forfeit all the inheritance, trying to commit suicide when unable to cope with the guilt, the stress and some rather villainous pharmacists who mistreat her when she comes with a long list of strong painkillers.
John C. Reilly plays Jim Kurring, the honest, if somewhat awkward and perhaps simple police officer, called for a disturbance first, wherein he discovers the body of a murdered man, then he meets Claudia Gator, a drug addict who sleeps with everyone she encounters in bars, listens to very loud music, hence the call to the police and the visit.
The two might find solace from each other, given that the woman is in a very sorry state, thinking she had been abused by her father, game show host Jimmy Gator, who is visiting his daughter to announce that he has terminal cancer, only to be insulted and thrown out the door.
William H. Macy used to be Quiz Kid Donnie Smith, a child with a brilliant mind, up to the point where he was hit by lighting, event after which he became normal, if not rather slow, trying to make a living, get braces for he is in love with a male bar tender and planning a theft that would get him out of financial dire straits, just before a rain with…frogs.
Frank Mackey is a bestselling author, speaker and mentor for men who are insecure, rejected by women and who find false answers from a violent, abusive, arrogant talker whose secrets include “pretend you care, get that cunt” and other ever more foul language which purports to make men able to seduce and destroy females in a macho universe.
He is interviewed by a cerebral, restrained, intelligent woman who has made research for her program and discovered that the chauvinist man is lying about most if not all aspects of his life, his dead mother, his enrollment at university which turns out to be a tolerated participation at some courses and more.
All the characters in this motion picture are complex, there is no absolute knight in shining armor or a perfect bad witch, even the despicable, abhorrent Frank Mackey, with his outrageous perspective on women has some excruciating pain in his past that, if it does not in the least absolve him of his guilt, at least it does explain why he is the vile man that he has become.
Stanley Spector is another Wonder Quiz Kid that is capable to give answers to any question, indeed, not just that, but render it in the language required and even sing it, as in the case where Jimmy Gator asks in English about the lyrics for Carmen and the amazing boy is able to reply in French and sing the aria with remarkable talent.
Nevertheless, this character is there to attract attention to one of the issues at the heart of this epic, magnificent film, in particular the problem of child mistreatment in a different manner than it is commonly known, in game shows or other activities that take such a heavy toll.
Stanley wants to use the bathroom and he is denied because they are on the air or very soon to be live, he abandons the show, not bodily, but spiritually, then realizes that he does not have to obey, take all this bad treatment, get up in front when he does not want to.
Although most, if not all characters face very difficult, painful situations- indeed, one of them is soon to expire in formidable pain – there is hope, some would find redemption, the most likely personage to experience a transformation is Frank Mackey, who comes to the deathbed of his parent, after initially rejecting the idea completely.
Even as he comes to the house, he does show the face we are familiar with by now, threatening to drop kick one or all of the four dogs in attendance, then calls the dying man a sob and other words, reproaching his desertion when his son was so young and the wife would die in terrible torment.
But as it starts raining frogs – not cats and dogs- the departing Earl wakes up to see his prodigal son next to him, presumably leaving this world comforted, then the previous vicious misogynist goes to the hospital to see Linda.
There is a way out for Donnie Smith- saved as he may be by Jim Kurring – although he would need new teeth, not braces now, perhaps Claudia would find the support she needs from the same police officer, if in private, not official matters and father Jimmy might live for some years, given that a frog interferes with his macabre plans.
Magnolia is a film to watch, a worthwhile mediation on coincidence, miracles, loving, addiction, abuse, family values and so much more.
Magnolia is one of the best films produced over the last twenty years, one of the few masterpieces written and directed by the phenomenal Paul Thomas Anderson, other outstanding films signed by the same author include: There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights.
The cast of Magnolia is a Dream Team, with Tom Cruise winning the Golden Globe for his role as Frank T.J. Mackey, an obnoxious, misogynistic celebrity and guru, Jason Robards as Earl Partridge – the dying father of the male chauvinist – Julianne Moore as Linda Partridge, his wife, Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Nurse Phil Parma and many other sensational actors.
As Earl Partridge is dying, he makes an attempt to come to terms, find closure, speaks about his abandoning a dying wife, who would be cares for by his son, who has chosen the name Frank Mackey and does not want to talk to his loathsome father, up to the point where he is contacted by nurse Phil Parma.
Meanwhile, Linda Partridge admits in front of her lawyer that she had married her suffering spouse out of interest, but paradoxically, she has started to love him as he got sick, she is so repentant now that she wants to change the will and forfeit all the inheritance, trying to commit suicide when unable to cope with the guilt, the stress and some rather villainous pharmacists who mistreat her when she comes with a long list of strong painkillers.
John C. Reilly plays Jim Kurring, the honest, if somewhat awkward and perhaps simple police officer, called for a disturbance first, wherein he discovers the body of a murdered man, then he meets Claudia Gator, a drug addict who sleeps with everyone she encounters in bars, listens to very loud music, hence the call to the police and the visit.
The two might find solace from each other, given that the woman is in a very sorry state, thinking she had been abused by her father, game show host Jimmy Gator, who is visiting his daughter to announce that he has terminal cancer, only to be insulted and thrown out the door.
William H. Macy used to be Quiz Kid Donnie Smith, a child with a brilliant mind, up to the point where he was hit by lighting, event after which he became normal, if not rather slow, trying to make a living, get braces for he is in love with a male bar tender and planning a theft that would get him out of financial dire straits, just before a rain with…frogs.
Frank Mackey is a bestselling author, speaker and mentor for men who are insecure, rejected by women and who find false answers from a violent, abusive, arrogant talker whose secrets include “pretend you care, get that cunt” and other ever more foul language which purports to make men able to seduce and destroy females in a macho universe.
He is interviewed by a cerebral, restrained, intelligent woman who has made research for her program and discovered that the chauvinist man is lying about most if not all aspects of his life, his dead mother, his enrollment at university which turns out to be a tolerated participation at some courses and more.
All the characters in this motion picture are complex, there is no absolute knight in shining armor or a perfect bad witch, even the despicable, abhorrent Frank Mackey, with his outrageous perspective on women has some excruciating pain in his past that, if it does not in the least absolve him of his guilt, at least it does explain why he is the vile man that he has become.
Stanley Spector is another Wonder Quiz Kid that is capable to give answers to any question, indeed, not just that, but render it in the language required and even sing it, as in the case where Jimmy Gator asks in English about the lyrics for Carmen and the amazing boy is able to reply in French and sing the aria with remarkable talent.
Nevertheless, this character is there to attract attention to one of the issues at the heart of this epic, magnificent film, in particular the problem of child mistreatment in a different manner than it is commonly known, in game shows or other activities that take such a heavy toll.
Stanley wants to use the bathroom and he is denied because they are on the air or very soon to be live, he abandons the show, not bodily, but spiritually, then realizes that he does not have to obey, take all this bad treatment, get up in front when he does not want to.
Although most, if not all characters face very difficult, painful situations- indeed, one of them is soon to expire in formidable pain – there is hope, some would find redemption, the most likely personage to experience a transformation is Frank Mackey, who comes to the deathbed of his parent, after initially rejecting the idea completely.
Even as he comes to the house, he does show the face we are familiar with by now, threatening to drop kick one or all of the four dogs in attendance, then calls the dying man a sob and other words, reproaching his desertion when his son was so young and the wife would die in terrible torment.
But as it starts raining frogs – not cats and dogs- the departing Earl wakes up to see his prodigal son next to him, presumably leaving this world comforted, then the previous vicious misogynist goes to the hospital to see Linda.
There is a way out for Donnie Smith- saved as he may be by Jim Kurring – although he would need new teeth, not braces now, perhaps Claudia would find the support she needs from the same police officer, if in private, not official matters and father Jimmy might live for some years, given that a frog interferes with his macabre plans.
Magnolia is a film to watch, a worthwhile mediation on coincidence, miracles, loving, addiction, abuse, family values and so much more.
April 18, 2017
Magnolia reads like a collection of prayers.
Unimpeachable logic.
Loss and longing woven beautifully into a blended metaphor.
I never turn away the chance to live within the allegory of these characters lives for a couple of hours. The same joy/ fulfillment invades me when I watch Dr. Stranglove. I can't explain the connection., It's there for me.
"I'm the kind of person who confuses melancholy With depression"
"It's a dangerous thing to confuse children with angels "
"The book says, "We might be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us."
Unimpeachable logic.
Loss and longing woven beautifully into a blended metaphor.
I never turn away the chance to live within the allegory of these characters lives for a couple of hours. The same joy/ fulfillment invades me when I watch Dr. Stranglove. I can't explain the connection., It's there for me.
"I'm the kind of person who confuses melancholy With depression"
"It's a dangerous thing to confuse children with angels "
"The book says, "We might be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us."
October 2, 2024
S/o my ex for gifting me this.
Such a gratifying read. I really appreciate being able to read a (high) man’s meditation on love and grief through a fast paced, ensemble story that’s way too long, has a million camera directions and director’s notes, and is riddled with typos. Fiona Apple’s impact was obviously so important to this.
The vision was so real. Perfect movie. I’m geeking.
Such a gratifying read. I really appreciate being able to read a (high) man’s meditation on love and grief through a fast paced, ensemble story that’s way too long, has a million camera directions and director’s notes, and is riddled with typos. Fiona Apple’s impact was obviously so important to this.
The vision was so real. Perfect movie. I’m geeking.
February 22, 2012
One of my favorite films and a great script! Love to read this when I'm working on character pieces.
November 24, 2023
Paul Thomas Anderson's impossible turmoil of not being able to write after the success of "Boogie Nights" (1997) and creating a deeply emotional and personal film that got bigger and bigger as it kept going, with no help from New Line Cinema as they basically said "Hey, here is a fuck ton of money, literally make any movie you want that we have no control over."
June 3, 2019
The first screenplay I ever bought and it was well worth it. PTA is a modern day fucking genius screenwriter, easily one of the best (maybe even in history). Great screenplay to a wonderful movie and it’s interesting to follow along with while watching the film.
February 18, 2020
I really like the self-referentiality and the intercutting between so many storylines. It's a pity the grammar and punctuation was so terrible.
December 14, 2021
First read this Summer 2001. Blew my mind. Still love this film. Glutton for cinematic punishment.
April 15, 2024
Sublime
Read
August 1, 2025Paperback from Shaker Mill Books
February 26, 2014
'Magnolia' is one of my all-time favourite movies. I've watched it a dozen times or so. And I've watched all the extras on the 2-disc DVD set.
I got the shooting script to identify the changes from P.T.Anderson's original conception to the finished film, as well as wanting to find out any more back story to the wonderful characters in the film.
On the whole, the film follows the script closely. The biggest difference is a secondary character called Worm who doesn't appear in the film apart from a mention in the kid's rap to the cop, and he ties a few loose ends that are in the film. Tom Cruise seems to change his lines a bit, while nearly everyone else sticks to the words written here. Earl's monologues are longer in the script.
I wouldn't recommend reading this script unless you've seen the film. But if you loved the film, then I recommend reading this.
Plus there's an informative interview with P.T.Anderson at the back of this book.
I got the shooting script to identify the changes from P.T.Anderson's original conception to the finished film, as well as wanting to find out any more back story to the wonderful characters in the film.
On the whole, the film follows the script closely. The biggest difference is a secondary character called Worm who doesn't appear in the film apart from a mention in the kid's rap to the cop, and he ties a few loose ends that are in the film. Tom Cruise seems to change his lines a bit, while nearly everyone else sticks to the words written here. Earl's monologues are longer in the script.
I wouldn't recommend reading this script unless you've seen the film. But if you loved the film, then I recommend reading this.
Plus there's an informative interview with P.T.Anderson at the back of this book.
April 13, 2011
During the initial reading of Magnolia, you will be lost. There is no hope in trying to understand the first twenty pages before continuing, as the beginning is very condensed and mish-mosh. The script has a huge implied meaning to it that's much deeper than the scenes you read, and takes a bit of analyzing after you've finished. A second reread may help to ease it quite a bit. But for anyone who enjoys a great story and can stand reading scripts, this is a definite necessity.
Anderson's style of writing reflects how he thinks: a little too quickly. The beginning of the script could have been slowed down and had a bit more of an explanation and familiarity with the characters, but it was rushed. Knowing when to slow down can make all the difference in any writing.
Anderson's style of writing reflects how he thinks: a little too quickly. The beginning of the script could have been slowed down and had a bit more of an explanation and familiarity with the characters, but it was rushed. Knowing when to slow down can make all the difference in any writing.
January 9, 2010
Although it has been over a decade since I read this I remember being interested in the differences between the script and the final film. The only other thing I remember is that the interview is fairly interesting and that there are some more in depth explanations of several key moments near the end of the film that were cut for one reason or another.
December 31, 2020
It’s basically two movies in one in terms of length, so it can feel like you’re on fumes for that last act, but man does this thing sing.
All the story beats are where they belong, the themes are epic — covenantally epic — and the characters, in their sheer conception, are an ode to what cocaine and genius can do when crossed with Fiona Apple.
All the story beats are where they belong, the themes are epic — covenantally epic — and the characters, in their sheer conception, are an ode to what cocaine and genius can do when crossed with Fiona Apple.
September 18, 2008
Studied the film rather closely in a film class I took in which we studied the films of Ingmar Bergman, Kurosawa, David Lynch and P.T. Anderson. Great course, great films, great script to read along with P.T. Anderson's film Magnolia.
July 1, 2008
reading this screenplay is alot like watching the movie. it's all over the place, difficult, yet truly engaging.
January 19, 2013
Excellent movie, weaving backward and forward through time ... until it starts raining frogs at the end.
April 14, 2014
The best screenplay ever.
March 23, 2015
Greatest written original screenplay to date. Your argument is invalid.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews