Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie Magnolia has been shrouded in secrecy.

He felt there was too much advance publicity about Boogie Nights, so he insisted the cast of Magnolia not reveal anything about their characters or the film's plot.

Anderson has finally issued a release.

He says his film is "a story set in the San Fernando Valley on a day full of rain with no clouds. It is a story about family relationships and bonds that have been broken and need to be mended in one day."

Tom Cruise plays the lost son of Jason Robards, who has married a much younger woman played by Julianne Moore. William H. Macy plays a former game show wiz and John C. Reilly plays a policeman in love.

Most of the key players from Boogie Nights are in the cast of Magnolia, with the glaring exception of Mark Wahlberg.

"There's no animosity between Paul and I," says Wahlberg.

"We will work together again. He talked to me about playing a very small part in Magnolia. The hook was that I'd be able to kiss Tom Cruise.

"From everything I've heard from the cast and crew of Magnolia, Tom is really out there in this movie.

"There's talk he's going to get nominated for best supporting actor."


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