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Inherent Vice

R Released Jan 9, 2015 2h 28m Comedy Mystery & Thriller TRAILER for List
74% Tomatometer 257 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In a California beach community, private detective Larry "Doc" Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) tends to work his cases through a smoky haze of marijuana. One day, Shasta, a former lover, arrives out of the blue to plead for Doc's help; it seems that Shasta's current beau, rich real-estate tycoon Mickey Wolfmann, has a wife who may be plotting to commit him to a mental hospital. When Mickey and Shasta both disappear, Doc navigates a psychedelic world of surfers, stoners and cops to solve the case.
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Inherent Vice

Inherent Vice

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Critics Consensus

Inherent Vice may prove frustrating for viewers who demand absolute coherence, but it does justice to its acclaimed source material -- and should satisfy fans of director P.T. Anderson.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online If I'm going fawn over a puzzling film, I'd rather it be something like Inception or The Matrix, movies that entertain me but also provoke so much thought and analysis that I can't take my mind off it. Sep 1, 2017 Full Review Katie Kilkenny The Atlantic If the adaptation's a little too faithful to sustain a cinematically tight story, there's still a lot to admire in the sheer, uninhibited folly of the whole thing, the gall to get groovy while the Oscar-watchers are on high alert. Jul 19, 2016 Full Review Jason Bailey Flavorwire After a decade spent making two films that are like pressure cookers, Anderson was clearly ready to blow off some steam. Jun 18, 2016 Full Review Diane Carson KDHX (St. Louis) “Inherent Vice” works best as a “go with the flow” experience. To enjoy, it calls for surrender to its irreverent mockery and its illogical juxtapositions May 21, 2024 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …the fun here is in collecting the salty, elusive details, not what they add up to… Rated: 3/5 Aug 20, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review It wants the viewer to experience it more than understand it, and the experience proves a hallucinatory, often hilarious, and fulfilling one as both entertainment and carefully constructed comic art. Rated: 4/4 Jul 13, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This film was good to see although I have some negative thoughts in these one is that the dialogue was good but it was just too slow on what happening in the film. The actors were good in delivering this film to come. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/05/24 Full Review Sandon D From the outset, the film immerses viewers in a world dripping with the aesthetics and idiosyncrasies of the 1970s. The costumes, set designs, and soundtrack all meticulously capture the era’s vibe. However, beyond this surface-level homage, “Inherent Vice” struggles to offer anything substantial. The plot, adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s novel, is labyrinthine and convoluted. While this might be a deliberate choice to echo the paranoia and confusion of the times, it often feels more like a crutch to mask the lack of depth in the screenplay. The dialogue, instead of delving into the characters’ psyches or exploring profound themes, is laden with an excess of pop culture references. These references, rather than enriching the narrative, come off as forced and superficial. Characters frequently exchange lines that seem more concerned with name-dropping or showcasing quirky 70s lingo than with advancing the story or revealing their inner lives. This reliance on nostalgia over substance results in a script that feels hollow and disjointed. The moments that should resonate emotionally or intellectually are drowned out by the film’s obsession with its period setting. In the end, “Inherent Vice” is a movie that prioritizes style over substance. While it may appeal to those who relish a heavy dose of 70s nostalgia, it fails to engage viewers seeking meaningful dialogue and a more profound narrative. The film’s potential to be a thoughtful and creative exploration of its era is undermined by its overreliance on clichéd references and a superficial script. For those looking for a film that genuinely inspires thought, creativity, and emotion, “Inherent Vice” may prove to be a disappointing watch. The sacrifice of meaningful dialogue for the sake of played-out pop culture references ultimately leaves the film feeling more like a pastiche than a poignant portrayal of a bygone era. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 07/01/24 Full Review Christian K I tried really, really hard, I did. But this is seemingly designed to be as impenetrable as possible. You are bombarded, with locations, characters, details, and phrases too quickly. Has its moments with characters and performances but this is not easy to get through. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/28/24 Full Review KB B I really couldn't get into this one after 45 minutes so I put it and me out of our misery. Don't bother. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/27/24 Full Review Jeff M I suppose even great artists can't hit it out of the park each time. Director Paul Thomas Anderson, whose MAGNOLIA I consider one of the finest films ever made, has made this incoherent mess, the plot of which I honestly couldn't explain even if my life depended on it. After awhile it becomes almost mesmerizingly bad - I suppose it's the cinematic equivalent of the drug stupor the main character is in throughout the movie. At nearly two and a half hours, it is almost a torturous experience to sit through, even when certain scenes illustrate Anderson's obvious genius. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/24 Full Review Phillip R I keep watching new P.T. Anderson movies as they come out, hoping to catch a glimpse of the kind of wit and great movie of "Boogie Nights" or "Magnolia". Instead we get less and less interesting shaggy dog stories like this movie. Maybe that's what happens when you have too much success too soon, everyone calls you a genius, and you start believing it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Inherent Vice

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In a California beach community, private detective Larry "Doc" Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) tends to work his cases through a smoky haze of marijuana. One day, Shasta, a former lover, arrives out of the blue to plead for Doc's help; it seems that Shasta's current beau, rich real-estate tycoon Mickey Wolfmann, has a wife who may be plotting to commit him to a mental hospital. When Mickey and Shasta both disappear, Doc navigates a psychedelic world of surfers, stoners and cops to solve the case.
Director
Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer
Paul Thomas Anderson, JoAnne Sellar, Daniel Lupi
Screenwriter
Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Joanne Sellar, Ghoulardi Film Company
Rating
R (Graphic Nudity|Drug Use Throughout|Language|Sexual Content|Some Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 9, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 17, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.1M
Runtime
2h 28m
Sound Mix
Datasat, Dolby Digital
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