The AFI would say Citizen Kane, and I have to agree that is one hell of a movie which covers a lot of the bases that one would learn in film school. But for my money, Magnolia is the film I would suggest. All the literary and film concepts I’ve ever learned about are present in this film…it makes the best use I’ve ever seen of both symbolism and foreshadowing. The entire film is metaphorical, but it is also a study in great acting, great writing, strong emotionally gripping performance, non-linear storytelling, cinematography, nuance, abstraction, etc. It is one of the greatest ensemble casts I’ve ever seen assembled, and it wrings out the most incredible performances from every actor…even Tom Cruise, who in other circumstances can’t act his way out of a paper bag, gives a performance that is so compelling you can’t turn away. It’s a film which when you watch it, if you can wrap your mind around even 10% of it, you end up going, “what the hell did I just see?” It does what all great art strives to do, it stays with you, it invades your soul and makes you want to know more about it. The answers are not all there in black and white, it is densely layered, and arguably too much so for most audiences. But if you really wanted to learn about everything film is capabale of, I’d suggest you watch this movie (and take notes…keep an eye out for the number 82).