Inherent Vice (2014)

It's 1970 and a pot smoking "hippie" private investigator (Joaquin Phoenix) is visited by his ex-girlfriend (Katherine Waterston, daughter of Sam) who wants him to help prevent her current lover (Eric Roberts) from being sent to an asylum by his wife (Serena Scott Thomas) and her lover (Andrew Simpson). This is just the beginning of a comical drug hazed journey through a maze of complicated twists and turns. Is there a more exciting and original director working in American film today than Paul Thomas Anderson? He's the heir apparent to the late great Robert Altman and this film has that dizzying mile a minute style that Altman perfected. After the intense somber creations of THERE WILL BE BLOOD and THE MASTER, Anderson is in a playful mood and his game cast seem more than happy to be in for the ride. Joaquin Phoenix makes for a perfect stoner, cluelessly funny yet not quite a caricature. On the downside, at 2 1/2 hours the film begins to wear out its welcome and it starts to seem so pointless. It's best not to dwell on the narrative as it's the most confusing and muddled mystery since Hawks' THE BIG SLEEP. Kudoes to cinematographer Robert Elswit and composer Jonny Greenwood for their contributions: The huge cast includes Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, Jeannie Berlin, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone and singer Joanna Newsom in her feature film acting debut.