For those who saw Magnolia

[Astrid]

I watched Magnolia last night and can not figure out what the frogs were about. Am I missing some obvious symbolism here??? All of a sudden it is raining frogs.... I mean if that happened to me I think I would be questioning it a whole lot more then the people in the movie did Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[mamabeard]

in some weird way i guess i just assumed it was like some catastrophic (un)natural disaster type thing that was the catalyst for everyone to get out of their weird dramas and make some changes.. tho, i do wonder if there is some frogular symbolism i'm missing, too...

[ladylee]

Although I've never read the Bible myself, I've heard this is a biblical reference from the book of Exodus--where the devil says frogs will fall from the sky when the world comes to an end, or something to that effect. But I am certainly not a biblical scholar! ild

[Astrid]

I thought it might have had something to do with the end of the world and the frogs stopped falling because people were making changes for the good: I guess not all was good though since the dad still ignored his son (that whole story line brought me to tears) Any more thoughts?

[punkys_daddy]

My wife was telling me - that a frog represents sexual sin.
-

[mamabeard]

hmm.. and i do recall that most of the issues revolved around sexual hangups..

[Astrid]

Wonderful explanation Yammer!

[AdinaL]

Forgive me if I am wrong - it has been a while since i have seen it - But isn't that also the moment where all the stories intertwine. The meeting of all the lives in some way?

[punkys_daddy]

My previous answer may have been perceived as inflammatory. Sorry.

Yammer... once again... YOU DA MAN!

Thanks for such a logical answer...

[NewMa]

All right, the frogs I got. It was the lip-synching that almost blew the whole movie for me.

I really liked Magnolia a lot. Until everybody started lip-synching. And then I lost all respect. It was just too... goofy. I couldn't take the movie seriously after that.

Any thoughts?

[Quirky]

Call me a goof, but I actually liked the lip-synching. Then again, I'm an Aimee Mann nut - when I have writing to do, I put the Magnolia soundtrack on repeat.

OT - anyone have her new CD yet? I'm ordering it from Barnes & Noble tonight! (They're having this sale on their "holiday gift guide" section, and I'm a sucker for sales on books....)

Another OT - what was that movie that Magnolia was based on, in concept? I saw it on video but I'm blanking on the name....Short Cuts maybe? had Andie McDowell and others in it. Didn't like it as much as Magnolia.

[MamaOui]

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[PapayaVagina]

I also liked the lip-syncing. What I didn't care for in the movie were just a few scenes with Julian Moore and Tom Cruise where I was just having a hard time believing their sincerity but, I love PT Anderson so much that I willing to look past that!

[DaryLLL]

I'm glad some of you liked this movie. I know some reviewers thought it was sappy/sentimental/self-indulgent. I thought it was very moving.

[smaug]

I have never read the bible, either. But when I was young I would have a dream every year about frogs falling from the sky. And I could not avoid stepping on them. A nightmare, really. I guess maybe the Bible could have been touching on some kind of archetype we have about frogs??????:

[MamaMae]

NewMa, you've got me laughing about the lip-synching! I loved Magnolia AND Amie Mann, and as soon as they all started breaking into song, I started laughing out loud in the theater! I've watched it again a few times since, and I actually think the lip-synching thing works in this movie. I can't believe it, but it sort of fits in with the whole "too quirky, but real life" thing!

And the frogs! I have really weird phobias about frogs...they always appear in my nightmares, and lots of people have told me it's sexual fear. Not sure I buy that, but I thought it was funny when they showed up in the movie.

[french*girl]

I asked my mom about this frog scene amd she has read documented cases of this happening (fairly recently down south). I guess it has to do with a water spout - the only difference is it rains more than just frogs... She also said there is mention of it in the bible.

[monpetitfils]

Okay, maybe some of you will think that I'm delusional, but I have actually been in a "frog storm", honestly. It was many (like 17 or so) years ago in a *very remote* area of western Ireland. We were driving back in the car and it was at night, and it was raining real rain too and all these frogs were hitting the windshield of the car. We were so astonished. It was truly freaky. It wasn't quite as dramatic as in the movie, but it was freakish just the same.

I remember seeing this in Magnolia (which I loved) and thinking "Holy Smokes" because I hadn't thought of that instance in forever. But yeah, I think Yammer soes an excellent job explaining the symbolism.

[MamaMae]

Jane,

The movie you're talking about is Short Cuts, directed by Robert Altman....another amazing film, I think. The movie screenplay is based on a bunch of Raymond Carver short stories (I think most of them are from the collection "Cathedral"...awesome collection of his stories if you haven't check them out).

I really like that style of movie, like short cut and magnolia, where lots of intricate stories intertwine. Takes a feat to pull it off, I would imagine!

[gossamer]

I hope y'all don't mind me butting in here 'cause I have never seen the movie which is strange for me. I hardly ever miss a TOm Cruise movie. Anyway... there is a reference in the bible of a plague of frogs in Exodus as a punishment to the Pharoah for not letting the Hebrews leave slavery. Don't know if that helps or clarifies for anyone.