Review of Inherent Vice (2014) by Robert T — 01 Feb 2015

I'm hoping that this one will get better on future viewings but on the face of it looks like PTA has actually made a mediocre film. Basically every scene is doc talking to a new wacky character introducing a new plot line that you cant really connect with the rest and eh.

.thats about it. Then towards the end you're sure if you cant make sense of it or it doesn't make sense. Its ironic cos basically my only gripe with PTA films in the past has been the lack of plot and he finally makes a film with a plot but theres too much of it.

I suppose he just cant handle plot. What he usually can do are great characters but there's so many characters that you just dont really care about them. For example towards the end, when Doc makes a big sacrifice for owen wilsons character.

.I just didn't really care. Also I think the film thought it was funnier than it was. Its something I've seen in films before. PTA is obviously mates with Joaquin and thinks everything he does is hilarious but its not.

It feels like an inside joke and no-one on the outside was laughing, least not in my cinema. Yeah it was ok but it might be better if I could make sense of it, which no-one seems to have done. So maybe its worth another look.