Inherent Vice
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood, Magnolia)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Katherine Waterston
Verdict: ***1/2
By MATTHEW SIMS
Consummate actor of recent times Joaquin Phoenix (Her, The Master) plays Larry “Doc” Sportello, a private investigator caught up in the hippie movement of the late '60s. Against his will, he is thrust into a conspiracy to institutionalise a millionaire for his money, with tales of a mysterious boat owned by a foreign drug cartel, corruption and, generally, things not being as they seem.
Adapted from the 2009 novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon, the movie differs stylistically from Anderson’s norm, as the free-flowing style that has defined his career so far is ignored to bring the substance of the film to the foreground.
The surprise lies in it being a dark comedy with an array of likeable characters, and a reflection on time wasted and the past lost.
This film is not a mindless “popcorn” movie to go see with your friends on a Sunday. As soon as you think you understand what is going on, new characters and a new plotline are added to an already confusing story.
It is only when you accept the perspective of the drug-addled hippie and the '70s mindset that enjoyment is even possible.
As with the novel, the focus of the film is the location – not so much in a geographical sense, but rather a place in time. Anderson’s love not only for Pynchon’s book but for '70s California shines through, in both the shots of the location, and in the characters that fill it.
It is his love for the characters and the ideas of loyalty, righteousness and justice they represent which ultimately becomes more interesting than the story.
Phoenix’s performance is subtle and understated, made even more quirky and hysterical by his small facial movements and incomprehensible mumbling. However, while “Doc” is one of the most interesting elements of the film, he becomes lost in the crowd among a massive cast.
The chemistry between Joaquin Phoenix and Josh Brolin, who plays a gruff, straight and narrow cop, is a joy. Add in manic performances from Martin Short, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro and many others, and this film nearly becomes a cult classic like The Big Lebowski or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Despite having the ingredients for a great film, Inherent Vice ultimately tries to be too many things at once and never triumphs in one specific aspect.
It is an experience that seems to be always avoiding the audience’s enjoyment. For the majority of the film, it succeeds in doing so.
Still, there is a remarkable and poignant story of a man trying to make sense of his existence within this film, but it is left without a focal point. Like the hazy seaside mist in the film, the few moments of greatness are too shrouded by the infuriating plot to be loved.
Inherent Vice is showing at selected cinemas.