Review of Inherent Vice (2014) by Axgrinder — 11 Jan 2015

If Hunter S. Thompson and David Lynch got together and wrote/directed a comedy, Inherent Vice would be the likely result. The movie is bizzaro. Joaquin Phoenix plays hippie dope-head private investigator Doc Sportello, who is trying to solve the disappearance his ex-girlfriend (Katherine Waterston) and her new lover (Eric Roberts), a wealthy real estate developer.

The dialogue, at times, is difficult to hear/understand. The plot is even more difficult to follow. All you can do is inhale the psychedelic haze the permeates the movie, let go of reality and let things unfold.

Unfortunately, there isn’t quite enough substance to the story line to sustain the movie’s almost 2½ hour run time. Joaquin Phoenix, as, always, gives a terrific performance. The cast is deep (including Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Beneicio Del Toro, Maya Rudolph and Jena Malone).

Brolin is perfectly cast for his role, which is a send-up of the quintessential 1960’s LA police detective. Martin Short is particularly funny in a brief stint as the immoral and drug abusing dentist Rudy Blatnoyd.

I found aspects of the movie fascinating, but overall, it came up short. I recommend this movie only if you are looking for something irreverent and off-beat.