The coincidence in this movie is not apparent. Rather, I believe this movie is about choice- and the where and when this reality manifests itself. Throughout the film, we are introduced to characters both young and old, perhaps only sharing emptiness among them. Through the variety especially in age of characters, the movie presents choice in its three forms- present, past, and future- making present choices, choices already made, and setting ourselves up to make choices in the future. The movie emphasizes choices made over the other two. We witness two men, who have nothing else in common aside from their expected and imminent deaths, regress painfully over wretched pasts- results of pathetic choices. Furthermore, the movie affirms the eminence of present choices through a young prodigy displayed on a game show. Will he too one day regret his past decisions? Our prophetic cop indirectly divulges his personal secret to making unknown future decisions- morality.

Paul Thomas Anderson wrote the bulk of the script during two weeks he spent at William H. Macy's Vermont cabin - afraid to go outside because he'd seen a snake.

[singing along to Aimee Mann's "Wise Up"]


Claudia Wilson Gator:
It's not / What you thought / When you first began it / You got / What you want / Now you can hardly stand it though / By now you know / It's not going to stop


Jim Kurring:
It's not going to stop / It's not going to stop / 'Til you wise up


Jimmy Gator:
You're sure / There's a cure / And you have finally found it


Quiz Kid Donnie Smith:
You think / One drink / Will shrink you 'til you're underground / And living down / But it's not going to stop


Phil Parma:
It's not going to stop


Earl Partridge:
It's not going to stop / 'Til you wise up


Linda Partridge:
Prepare a list for what you need / Before you sign away the deed / 'Cause it's not going to stop


Frank T.J. Mackey:
It's not going to stop / It's not going to stop / 'Til you wise up / No, it's not going to stop / 'Til you wise up / No, it's not going to stop


Stanley Spector:
So just... give up

Continuity: Two lights on the back of the ambulance are on and off in consecutive shots.

Written by Harry Nilsson
Performed by Aimee Mann
Courtesy of Superego Records