By Jacob Cameron

Throughout this Paul Thomas Anderson review series, I have been in awe of how great some of PTA’s films are. No matter how complex or out-of-bounds the premise; PTA made it work. And now, in regards to Inherent Vice, I genuinely don’t know what I think about it.

Inherent Vice, based on the novel of the same name, starred Joaquin Phoenix as Larry “Doc” Sportello. A private investigator who is hired to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend. He soon tumbles down the rabbit hole, which leads into other cases that involve the case that he is working on. 

For one thing, the performances are predictably great. Phoenix, Josh Brolin, and Benito Del Toro all do well. Phoenix, in particular, had an energy that I personally found weirdly infectious. Josh Brolin plays his opposite in every way, and that makes for a nice dynamic.

Another element I liked was the setting of Gordita Beach, California. The beach setting combined with the early 70s aesthetic was very pleasant. I’m a sucker for mysteries that take place in the past, so this was an easy point in the favor of the movie.

My biggest issue here lies with the story and the general lack of interest in it. There’s an overall sense of just events happening with no purpose or little purpose. Or if something does happen, it is punctuated by something related to drugs.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with doing something like this. Something like The Big Lebowski had done something like this to great acclaim. But the detached nature of the film got real old real fast.

Ultimately, I respect the performances and the overall craft. But I just couldn’t get behind this one.

2 ½ stars