Review of Inherent Vice (2014) by Gamed2Long — 10 Jan 2015

I really disliked Joaquin Phoenix as an actor before this film. But he pulls it off. The roll he plays, a dumb dope fiend/clever private eye is basically a contradiction. But in his hands it just works. Its the little thing he does. Like crying a single tear as his weed is destroyed that really sells it.

All the performances in this film are excellent. Josh Brolin as the tough cop who doesn't have it as together as it seems. And all the relatively unknowns who play a big part in this move.

The parts by Reese Witherspoon, Benicio Del Toro, Owen Wilson and Martin short, though small are quite effective. They feel like complete characters leading their own lives of which the protagonist is only a small part.

Then there is the plot of the film. The pace of the film is generally slow, so if you aren't watching out for all the clever little details they can be easy to miss. This is not one for the wider audiences. The story is complex with false leads. Trails that seem to go nowhere before they come back around. All the things a good detective film should have. Also there is rampant drug use with more than a little nudity, so not one for the kids. But to the mature film goer looking for an engrossing experience, it is good.