[HLMencken]

[ QUOTE ]
I find PTA's films to be well-made and original, but terribly depressing. I was more depressed after Boogie Nights and Magnolia than I was after Leaving Las Vegas or Dead Man Walking.

I can see that PTA is a fine director, and I can see that the acting performances are excellent. But I get way too depressed to enjoy these films very much.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really don't see Magnolia as depressing at all. It's a very human film, which thus must include the human conditions of personal suffering, strife, etc., but I find the message extremely positive. Namely, we're alive, we feel, we hurt, we love, we fear... we are alone but we are all alone together.