Review of Inherent Vice (2014) by Thomas L — 12 Jan 2015

This film is such an enigma to me. One one hand, I was completely entertained and enthralled with this movie, and on the other, I'm not really sure what happened in this movie. It's the next step in PT Anderson's evolution, a film that is beautiful to look at, with some great sequences, and amazing performances. It has a really solid script and a fun vibe, and Anderson is perfect at balancing the noir, thriller, and comedy tones of this film in an effective way.

What is often difficult about this film is that it doesn't really care about the plot. Everything feels like a jumbled mess, but I think this is intentional. We are put in the shoes of the drugged out Doc Sportello throughout the film, and so we only know what he knows. If you can get on Anderson's wavelength then you'll probably really enjoy this film. If you can't, then you'll be frustrated throughout the length of the film.

It probably is a little too long and a little too unfocused to be a perfect film, but it's such a fun diversion. If you're a fan of Anderson's work you should check this out, but be warned you may find it too tiresome and too confusing to stay invested.