Inherent Vice (2014)

In 1970, drug-fueled Los Angeles private investigator Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.

Director:

Paul Thomas Anderson

Writers:

Paul Thomas Anderson (written for the screen by), Thomas Pynchon (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 96 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joanna Newsom	...	Sortilège
Katherine Waterston	...	Shasta Fay Hepworth
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Larry "Doc" Sportello
Jordan Christian Hearn	...	Denis
Taylor Bonin	...	Ensenada Slim
Jeannie Berlin	...	Aunt Reet
Josh Brolin	...	Lt. Det. Christian F. "Bigfoot" Bjornsen
Eric Roberts	...	Michael Z. Wolfmann
Serena Scott Thomas	...	Sloane Wolfmann
Maya Rudolph	...	Petunia Leeway
Martin Dew	...	Dr. Buddy Tubeside
Michael Kenneth Williams	...	Tariq Khalil
Hong Chau	...	Jade
Shannon Collis	...	Bambi
Christopher Allen Nelson	...	Glenn Charlock

Storyline

During the psychedelic 60s and 70s Larry "Doc" Sportello is surprised by his former girlfriend and her plot for her billionaire boyfriend, his wife, and her boyfriend. A plan for kidnapping gets shaken up by the oddball characters entangled in this groovy kidnapping romp based upon the novel by Thomas Pynchon.

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Plot Keywords:

ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship | drug trade | voice over narration | southern california | investigator | 

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Taglines:

Love usually leads to trouble.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug use throughout, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

As this is a Warner Brothers film, it was fortuitous that Doc be greeted with the legendary Warner Brothers cartoon character Bugs Bunny's iconic "What's Up, Doc?" In fact, it happens frequently. Some minor characters also carry the names of famous cartoon characters: Mickey, Bambi, and Petunia.

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Goofs

I've read that PTA is a big Neil Young fan, and that Doc's look is based on Neil's look from the early 70's, especially the mutton chops. And while the Neil tunes frame their scenes nicely, they should not have playing on Doc's radio and in the Golden Fang lobby.

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Quotes

Michael Z. Wolfmann: I spent my whole life... I spent my whole life making people pay for shelter and all along I didn't realise... I didn't realise it was supposed to be for free. For free.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits roll, the end caption is the opening inscription from Pynchon's novel, Inherent Vice: "Under the Paving-Stones, the Beach!" - Graffito, Paris, May 1968

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Martin Short/Gabrielle Union/Mary J. Blige (2014)

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Soundtracks

Burning Bridges
Written by Walter Scott
Performed by Jack Scott
Courtesy of K-Tel Music, Inc.

User Reviews

trippy and surreal, but not for everybody

Inherent Vice is an excellent movie, but it's not for everybody.

It's based on a novel by Thomas Pynchon, a surreal American writer mainly inspired by the transition from the 60s to the 70s, and its repercussions throughout American society.

As a result, it's a rather artsy movie, filled with interesting characters and driven by a pot-smoking PI played, wonderfully, by Joaquim Phoenix. There is a lot to like about it, from its interesting meditations on life to its cast of quirky, oddball characters, but it's not a Hollywood movie and it will disappoint anybody looking for glitzier productions filled with special effects or cheap drama.

The plot itself, rather meandering and confusing, is rather irrelevant, but the movie as a whole is original and, if you can read between the lines, thought-provoking. Normally I would give it a higher score, but when I think of the novel it was based on I can't help thinking that the pace was a little too slow, and too many amazing moments in the novel were just trash-canned to keep the budget down.

Still, very original and interesting, but be prepared for quite a trip (especially if you smoke a joint first, which would really help getting into the main character's shoes)

peace

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

9 January 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Inherent Vice

Filming Locations:

Arrowhead Springs Hotel - 24918 Arrowhead Springs Road, San Bernardino, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$328,184, 14 December 2014

Gross USA:

$8,110,975

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,710,975

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ghoulardi Film Company, Warner Bros., IAC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

148 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1