Love me some PTA. Inherent Vice is his 7th feature length movie in 18 years. He's kinda slow, about the same pace as Tarantino. In some ways it is amazing that either of these guys has a career. Tarantino's movies may make money (though they're not blockbusters), but I'm positive Anderson's The Master did not. However they do it, glad they are making movies cause I love the shit.
Inherent Vice is a departure from standard PTA. It's an adaptation (instead of an original screenplay), it's less than 3 hours (but barely), and it has a plot (sort of).
Joaquin Phoenix plays Doc Sportello, a beach bum, pothead PI who works out of a doctor's office. An ex shows up one day and sets Doc on a path to be embroiled in a possible conspiracy concerning a rich real estate developer. But it's not really about the developer. It's sort of confusing, with lots of coincidences, perceived connections between different cases, and a grand government conspiracy. One of the best comparisons I've heard is to treat it like The Big Lebowski. Though it's a little darker.
Despite the confusing sequence of events, there's much more story here than I ever expected. This is the most plot from a PTA movie in ten years. I read/heard complaints about a lack of story, not sure where that's coming from. There's a set up and there's a resolution. What more do you want?
The movie is pretty good, entertaining, and longer than I expected. However, I don't think it's a great PTA work. It's almost too simple for him. I didn't see anything really new. It's strange thinking of it this way, but the existence of a story makes the movie too straight to be interesting. Of course it's still a top movie for 2014. PTA's mediocre is still that good.
Spotted Belladonna in there. Pretty solid acting in her scene.
I'm in a list making mood. Top 5 PTA movies:
1. Magnolia
2. Boogie Nights
3. There Will Be Blood
4. The Master
5. Punch-Drunk Love
First Viewing: 3+2+3+2+2 = 12