Inherent Vice
Inherent Vice is a 2014 American period neo-noir mystery comedy film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon. The ensemble cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Eric Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio del Toro, Jena Malone, Martin Short and Joanna Newsom. The film follows Larry "Doc" Sportello, a well-intentioned but fumbling stoner, hippie, and private investigator embroiled in the criminal underworld of 1970 Los Angeles, investigating three cases linked by the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend and her wealthy new boyfriend. Anderson's adaptation of Inherent Vice has been in development since 2010; it is the first and so far only Pynchon novel to be adapted for the screen. It is Anderson's second collaboration with Phoenix, following The Master (2012), and involves a number of his other recurring collaborators, including producers Daniel Lupi and JoAnne Sellar, cinematographer Robert Elswit, editor Leslie Jones, and composer Jonny Greenwood. Inherent Vice premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 4, 2014, and began a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 12, 2014, by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances, costumes, and screenplay, but some criticizing the complicated plot. It was nominated for several awards, including two at the 87th Academy Awards and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Phoenix at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards. The National Board of Review named it one of the ten best films of the year. Some critics said that Inherent Vice has the makings of a cult film. In 2016, it was voted the 75th best film since 2000 in an international critics' poll.
DOC: You hungry? DENIS: Like Godzilla says to Mothra, man: "Let's go eat someplace." SORTILÈGE: So when Doc and Denis came in that night... ...it wasn't just the usual hungry doper thing. It was something else. And with Neptune moving at last out of the Scorpio death-trip... ...and rising into the Sagittarian light of the higher mind... ...it was bound to be something love-related. And I thought I knew what it was. So...?
Inherent Vice
- Hello? - Yes, honey. Make it quick. I got a live one tonight, and I totally fucked up my face. DOC: Aw. Oh, okay. Mickey Wolfmann, what can you tell me? Powerhouse in L.A. real estate. From the desert to the sea. Technically Jewish, but wants to be a Nazi. What's he to you? DOC: Possible case. Let's say I wanted to hang out and rap with this Wolfmann.
Inherent Vice
Say it's a really bad idea. He goes around with a dozen bikers, mostly Aryan Brotherhood alumni. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. I flunked Social Studies... ...but, uh, Jews and Aryan Brotherhood... ...isn't there something about hatred? No. Mickey's eccentric. More and more lately. I'd say, stoned out of his fucking mind since he discovered drugs. No offense to you, Doc. [MUTTERS] So where would I, uh, find him? Like accidentally? Try the Channel View Estates, his latest insult to the environment. The one that Bigfoot Bjornsen does the commercials for? REET: That's the one. - Uh-huh. Maybe your old cop buddy's the one who should be taking care of your case. Yeah, well, I did think about going to Bigfoot with this... ...but just as I reached for the phone, history and all, I thought: Mm... - Well, maybe you're better off with the Nazis. DOC: Heh. All right, all right. REET: I got major liquid-liner issues. I gotta get off now, Larry. All right.
Inherent Vice
MAN 1 [ON TV]: Morning, Sam. MAN 2 [ON TV]: Hey, man. I don't want you paying rent. Rent's a hassle. I wanna see you in your own pad... Howdy, Bigfoot. MAN 2: ...at Channel View Estates... ...Artesia's newest and grooviest residential housing development. No buzzkill credit checks. No rip-off minimum down payments. That's not your bag. But check this out: Fully-equipped kitchen with automatic self-cleaning oven and breakfast nook. Out of sight. Attached one-car and available two-car garage. And best of all... ...a view of the Dominguez Flood Control Channel... ...that can only be described in two words: Right on.
Inherent Vice
"Michael Wolfmann, one of Los Angeles's most prominent real estate developers... ...announced at a press conference... ...he's proceeding with construction of several housing developments... ...the most immediate to be Channel View Estates. MAN: Hey, Doc. - Howdy. Cop came around last night looking for you again. - Bigfoot? - Yeah. That's the one. Huh. I wonder why he didn't kick in my door like usual. He might've been thinking about it, but said something like, "Tomorrow's another day." Which would be today, right?
Inherent Vice
What's up, man? How can I help you today? There's this white boy I was in the joint with. Aryan Brotherhood. We did some business, and, uh, now we're both out and he still owes me. I can't tell you the details, but it's a whole lot of money. Mm. How about his name? Glen Charlock. Mm-hm. And, urn, you know where he's staying now? I know where he works. He's a bodyguard for this builder named Wolfmann.
Inherent Vice