Can we make a comprehensive list of all of them?
(if anyone is wondering what a MacGuffin is, Ebert defines it as "something everyone cares about, although it doesn't matter what it is" ... usually an object)
I can't remember much. I don't think there's one in Magnolia. Is there one in Boogie Nights? (maybe what Todd Parker is looking for at Rahad's place, although he basically says what it is). I know there's one in Sydney, but I can't remember what it is. The only one I can really think of is the suitcase in the Paper Bag music video.
Heeeellppp....
the contents of the floor safe in boogie nights aren't really a macguffin (todd mentions coke and cash are the biggest commodities in it)
i'm just trying to think of actual macguffins......
A better definition is: A plot device primarily intended to motivate the action in a film, and to which relatively little attention is paid.
John trying to get money to bury his mother would be the one in Hard Eight.
I guess the pudding would be the one in PDL and/or maybe the extorted phone sex money.
i guess for boogie nights it would be that each character has a dream.
Quote from: cecil b. dementedi guess for boogie nights it would be that each character has a dream.
w.....it's my understanding that you're missing the point. i was under the impression that the most effective or popular macguffins are tangible ones, but things like reasons and events are also plausible.
one that might count: the girl that rollergirl needs to call
i see. i thought a macguffin was more major than that.
I've also been under the impression that a macguffin is something that is necessary to the telling of the story, but something who's details aren't vital to the story.
In other words, the MacGuffin in Sydney could be getting money to bury John's mother, or it could getting money to pay off some mob debt, or it could be getting money to get a friend out of jail.
Although that's not too great of an example, since the reason Sydney searches out John to help him is because of his responsibility over killing John's dad. However, I suppose that obligation could also extend to any other scenario, so maybe it's a good example after all.
Are the frogs in Magnolia a PTA macguffin? I thought macguffin was just a cool name that macguffin made up, the ignorant bastard that I am.
yeah I can't think of any PTA macguffins but just so you all get the idea..
A MacGuffin is a plot device in the script only used to move the plot or characters... First coined by Hitchcock a MacGuffin by deffinition is not something that will be revealed to the audience but stays ambiguous.
Ah.. just thought of one.. The harmonium is a perfect example.
Quote from: ebeaman69Are the frogs in Magnolia a PTA macguffin? I thought macguffin was just a cool name that macguffin made up, the ignorant bastard that I am.
Not really.. because the frogs can be explained as something that is "bringing" the characters together.
i don't think the harmonium is one
damn this macguffin stuff is complicated.
To sum up a Macguffin, the prime example is Rosebud in Citizen Kane. Although some critics argue against this, the quest for Rosebud drove the whole plot but the object itself had little significance.
Quote from: cecil b. dementeddamn this macguffin stuff is complicated.
Welcome to my
life nightmare.
Quote from: BonBon85To sum up a Macguffin, the prime example is Rosebud in Citizen Kane. Although some critics argue against this, the quest for Rosebud drove the whole plot but the object itself had little significance.
Perfect example. Also in Raiders Of The Lost Ark, the ark is the MacGuffin.
Quote from: xerxesi don't think the harmonium is one
Yeah.. It is.. It propels Barry's character... it keeps him going... you never find out why the harmonium exists, but at the same time it is a major plot piece. Just because it can symbolize something doesn't answer why it exists.
I believe the suitcase in Pulp Fiction is a MacGuffin (for another example). I don't really know of any in PTA's films.
Quote from: cecil b. dementeddamn this macguffin stuff is complicated.
hehehe. :)
Donnie's braces (forms arbitrary connection with Brad, leads to his betrayal of Solomon Solomon - break in)
Jim's Gun is a sort of MacGuffin.
They're usually found in plot-heavy films, where things need to keep moving and need a reason to happen. Fortunately with PTA the film seems to emerge from the characters which adds a certain depth to even the small things.
God bless Magnolia.
MacGuffin.....sounds like something you wanna eat!
QuoteTo sum up a Macguffin, the prime example is Rosebud in Citizen Kane. Although some critics argue against this, the quest for Rosebud drove the whole plot but the object itself had little significance.
...Rosebud is a clitoris... :-D Some rich-guy, in real life, very similar to Kane named his lovers clitoris Rosebud. So Wells made a joke of it :-D :-D In that way you could call it a MacGuffin :-D
Quote from: Sigur Rós...Rosebud is a clitoris... :-D Some rich-guy, in real life, very similar to Kane named his lovers clitoris Rosebud. So Wells made a joke of it :-D :-D In that way you could call it a MacGuffin :-D
Abuse of the smilies :x
Quote from: mogwaiThere is one MacGuffin in Punch-Drunk Love. 8)
:yabbse-thumbup: :yabbse-wink:
Quote from: Sigur RósRosebud is a clitoris... In that way you could call it a MacGuffin
Quote from: MacGuffin:yabbse-thumbup:
Quote from: Phil MarloweQuote from: Sigur RósRosebud is a clitoris... In that way you could call it a MacGuffin
Quote from: MacGuffin:yabbse-thumbup:
Quote from: Sigur RósMacGuffin.....sounds like something you wanna eat!
Quote from: bonanzatazsuck it long and hard.
since PT's movies are mostly character driven, i would say 'the worm' is a MacGuffin.
Quote from: MacGuffin"damn this macguffin stuff is complicated" - cecil b. demented
"MacGuffin.....sounds like something you wanna eat!" - Sigur Rós
Blackman....you've fallen into MacGuffin's master plan of self-righteousness.
Quote from: moonshinerBlackman....you've fallen into MacGuffin's master plan of self-righteousness.
You are right. Maybe I should have someone do a thread about The Long Goodbye.
The fact that the Harmonium is a symbol probably disqualifies it as a MacGuffin.
A good example of a MacGuffin is the money is Psycho. (although there is some argument as to that being more of a red herring)
To help settle the "what is a macguffin" debate watch Hitchcock's "Notorious" - the substance in the wine bottles is a macguffin, it is what everyone in the film is "after" or centered around, and yet the item itself, the substance within is irrelevant to the "story".