On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.

It's no secret that Paul Thomas Anderson has had a rather illustrious career. With eight feature films under his belt, and all of them astounding pieces of art, Anderson has an impeccable filmography. One thing that astounds me about Anderson above all his other talents is how he has managed to pivot his directing style throughout his career. "Boogie Nights" booms with loud, energetic music and is full of sweeping dolly shots, intense close-ups, and wicked zooms. While "There Will Be Blood" is much more restrained, a more calm version of Anderson. The camera moves slowly, sometimes not at all, the music doesn't boom like it used to. Anderson has found a way to create masterpieces among his different directing style, which I believe is enough to cement him as one of the greatest American directors of all time. 

Anderson's pivot happens rather early on in his career and it feels rather justified. While his debut, "Hard Eight" is a rather simple film, he follows the project up with two films that are the equivalent to bundles of dynamite. Anderson's switch to a more relaxed approach to filmmaking begins with "Punch Drunk Love" and is fully fleshed out by "There Will Be Blood." But before this pivot happens, Anderson crafts what is possibly his most poetic and emotionally heavy film to date. With a staggering three hour and eight-minute run-time, an immaculate cast of actors, and heartbreaking scene after heartbreaking scene, "Magnolia" is quite possibly Anderson's most ambitious film to date.

Paul Thomas Anderson said that this was his favorite film that he had made up until "The Master" and I can see why. The film is so emotionally dense, it's an onslaught on your sense, and the film forces you into the shoes of these characters. It begs for you to feel what they feel and suffer as they suffer. It's heartbreaking and uplifting, it will make you cry and smile. "Magnolia" is very very special to me and I'm glad that even after 20 years, it has held up for as long as it has.

• dir: Paul Thomas Anderson

• Year: 1999

• country: US

• run-time: 3h 8mins

• rating: 18

Full £6.00

Concession: Pay What You Can

Doors 19:30 - Film 20:00