Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin and Owen Wilson
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many directors in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Paul Thomas Anderson. Since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Anderson has become an American icon. Whether it is greedy oil prospectors, pornographic actors or fashion designers, Anderson has made films about countless strong characters. Arguably, Anderson’s strength as a filmmaker has often been his bravery. He is one of those one of a kind filmmakers that has never been afraid to take risks in his career by creating characters that aren’t always likeable. A filmmaker with a strong commitment to his craft, Anderson has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. By his abilities to create characters that prove to be compelling, Anderson has created a legacy that is lasting. Although his work has earned a huge following, Anderson’s films aren’t always intended for everyone. Nevertheless, Anderson has made several memorable movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Anderson and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Inherent Vice” is my favourite. Released in 2014, PTA’s most entertaining movie offered a powerful portrait of drug users in Los Angeles. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about L.A. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Joaquin Phoenix, who portrays a drug using detective resolving murders in L.A. Ultimately, what makes “Inherent Vice” a timeless classic is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Los Angeles, it tackles powerful themes which everyone would relate to. A captivating classic about Los Angeles, there are several reasons why “Inherent Vice” is a commemorated film worth watching.
Set in 1970’s Los Angeles, “Inherent Vice” tells the story of a drug abusing detective facing a painful price. Joaquin Phoenix portrays Larry Sportello, a dazed detective that has tendency to engage in reckless drugs causing adversity. Larry has always gotten away with using grim substances without facing any painful price to pay. However, Larry’s life dramatically changes when he’s tasked to investigate a case causing disaster. When ex-girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterston) suddenly disappears out of thin air, Larry faces emotions of despair. Trapped in an intense dilemma, Larry questions whether it is possible to find his girlfriend in a troublesome era. Faced with inherent vice, Larry discovers being a detective in 1970’s Los Angeles comes with a painful price.
Paul Thomas Anderson is fascinated with L.A. An American filmmaker, Anderson has always made engaging movies about Los Angeles that audiences treasure. His iconic film “Magnolia” captured interconnected lives of people which are impacted by death causing trauma. With “Inherent Vice”, however, Anderson created his first ever period piece about drug addiction. It was the filmmaker’s first attempts to capture the lives of drug abusing detectives in L.A., but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Anderson conveys drug using detectives facing catastrophe. Anderson deftly utilizes handheld camera to capture detectives with drug addiction that experience a dilemma. For instance, handheld camerawork enhances the drug use scene. During this intense scene, Larry attempts to investigate a murder scene in drug fuelled state. Using handheld cameras Anderson created a portrait of drug addiction that’s compelling. Handheld camera is often a tricky technique to use in movies. As “Boogie Nights” demonstrated, handheld camerawork elevates movies about the adult film industry. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through stunning visuals, Anderson captures tensions detectives are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Inherent Vice” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Anderson effectively uses strong costumes to capture detectives which abuse drugs facing adversity. For instance, costumes elevate the mysterious disappearance scene. During this memorable scene, Larry inspects a tense disappearance of his ex-girlfriend that causes tension. Through costumes, Anderson crafts a portrait of drug using detectives that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Jon Brion’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that drug using detectives bear. Through bold production design, Anderson captures lives of commemorated detectives that decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Inherent Vice” is a murder mystery which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses unreliable narration to capture drug using detectives experiencing tension. Throughout the movie, Larry struggles to tell differences of painful hallucinations and reality. For instance, unreliable narration enhances the drug effects scene. During this unforgettable scene, Larry struggles to tell the difference between reality and drug abusing hallucinations. Through use of unreliable narration, Anderson constructs a portrait of detectives that audiences can relate to. Unreliable narration is a tricky technique to use in films. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested, unreliable narration enhances commemorated films about science fiction. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a superb screenplay, Anderson captures the lives of commemorated detectives that face a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers one of his best career performances as Larry. Phoenix first achieved appreciation for playing emperors in medieval epics. With “Inherent Vice”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a drug abusing detective facing adversity but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Phoenix has often excelled at playing emotional heroes that are under pressure, and “Inherent Vice” proved his strengths as an actor. Through captivating expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a drug using detective enduring tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood.
While the movie is mainly a great showcase for Joaquin Phoenix, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Owen Wilson is outstanding, capturing dedication of a police officer seeking to conduct a murder investigation. Katherine Waterston is superb, capturing the fear faced by a woman which disappears out of thin air. Lastly, Benecio Del Toro merits appreciation. As a drug user, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Inherent Vice” will earn the recognition of everyone for capturing men facing a price. Unlike most movies about L.A., the film tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It tackles bold themes including mental health, identity and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with L.A. to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about loss which that resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Inherent Vice” is one of those rare movies about Los Angeles which everyone would adore.
Fans of Paul Thomas Anderson will definitely enjoy “Inherent Vice” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting period piece about L.A., it honours a director that deserves appreciation today.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about detectives with severe drug addiction facing a painful price to pay in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated filmmaker that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which are worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 