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.
If you don't mind my asking, Mr. Khalil, how'd you hear about me? Sledge. Sledge Poteet. Wow. Blast from the past. Far out. Yeah. He said you helped him out of a situation back in '67. First time I got shot at. If you don't mind an obvious question... ...you, uh, know where this Glen Charlock works. Why not, uh, just go over there and look him up directly? Well, because Wolfmann likes to surround himself with the Aryan Brotherhood. Day and night. And, see, outside of Glen, I ain't never liked the company of Nazis. Mm-hm. So, uh, send some white guy to get his head hammered? - More or less. - Mm. Now when you were inside, were you in a gang? The Black Guerrilla Family.
Inherent Vice
My old street gang. The Artesia Crips. See, when I came home from Chino... ...I looked for them and found it ain't just them gone... ...but the whole damn turf itself. What do you mean "gone"? Man, I'm talking not there. Ground up into little pieces. Seagulls picking all over it. Man, I thought I was tripping. Got in my car, I drove around, came back, still gone.
Inherent Vice
Okay. Can you show me up here on the map? SORTILÈGE: Long, sad history of L.A. land use. Mexican families bounced out of Chavez Ravine... ...to build Dodger Stadium. American Indians swept out of Bunker Hill for the Music Center. And now Tariq's neighborhood... ...bulldozed aside for Channel View Estates.
Inherent Vice
Hi. I'm Jade. Welcome to Chick Planet Massage. Take note of today's Pussy Eater's Special, which is good all day till closing time. - How much is it? - Fourteen ninety-five. [EXHALES] Well, not that 14.95 ain't a totally groovy price... ...but I'm trying to locate this guy who works for Mr. Wolfmann. Oh, does he eat pussy? Fella named Glen Charlock? Oh, sure, Glen. He comes in here. He eats pussy. Well, Glen and I were in Chino around the same time. You seen him today? Are you a cop? Nope.
Inherent Vice