Read Mixed User Reviews for Inherent Vice

5

tommyjonqMar 27, 2015

If The Big Lebowski had been a two-part episode of The Rockford Files, it would have been Inherent Vice. Except, it would have been a lot better than Inherent Vice.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

LowbrowCinemaDec 15, 2014

INHERENT VICE is utter nonsense and unfortunately made me realize that except for MAGNOLIA, I don't really care for the films of Paul Thomas Anderson. There is no denying the talent of this masterful director but it's all so sophomoric--lookINHERENT VICE is utter nonsense and unfortunately made me realize that except for MAGNOLIA, I don't really care for the films of Paul Thomas Anderson. There is no denying the talent of this masterful director but it's all so sophomoric--look Mom what I can do! INHERENT VICE is pointless with little depth beyond masterful direction, wonderful cinematography, and great production design. The film looks like the 70s but what's really the point? This is basically THE BIG SLEEP set in the 70s. Which means INHERENT VICE is essentially a remake of Robert Altman's THE LONG GOODBYE without the humor or disdain. An ambitious empty exercise.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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5

Brent_MarchantJan 10, 2015

A largely disappointing stoner noir crime comedy that promises more laughs in its trailer than it actually delivers in the finished product. When the movie is on, it's hilarious, but those bits are so few and far between that it hardly seemsA largely disappointing stoner noir crime comedy that promises more laughs in its trailer than it actually delivers in the finished product. When the movie is on, it's hilarious, but those bits are so few and far between that it hardly seems worth it, especially since the narrative padding linking those moments is so uninteresting and convoluted that no one really cares. The film ultimately comes across like an attempted fusion of "The Big Lebowski" and "American Hustle" but doesn't come close to matching the quality of either of its predecessors.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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4

sanserifDec 12, 2014

It's sort of a murder mystery. But there's no suspense. Oh and it's also sort of a buddy cop movie. But we don't actually care about anybody. Oh and it's also like, sort of a tragic romance. But there's no love in it.

So... I guess thatIt's sort of a murder mystery. But there's no suspense. Oh and it's also sort of a buddy cop movie. But we don't actually care about anybody. Oh and it's also like, sort of a tragic romance. But there's no love in it.

So...

I guess that makes it clever? I don't know. I didn't read the book so maybe I'm missing the point. Or maybe my brain is not smart enough for the film. I don't know. In the end I wasn't entertained, so to me, the movie is a failure.

However...

If you desperately want to be confused, watch people get stoned and slam telephones, and laugh occasionally at Josh Brolin, you may enjoy this. If you're expecting PTA to tell a satisfying story about people you care about, just go watch Magnolia again. Maybe he should too.… Expand

7 of 13 users found this helpful76

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6

gimmedatsammichJan 14, 2015

Inherent Vice tries really hard to be The Big Lebowski but lands quite a bit off mark, ending up somewhere close- it's an enjoyable film, all in all- but falling just short in every important way. The gags aren't as funny and the story isInherent Vice tries really hard to be The Big Lebowski but lands quite a bit off mark, ending up somewhere close- it's an enjoyable film, all in all- but falling just short in every important way. The gags aren't as funny and the story is much harder to follow, to the point of being incoherent. Of course, this style of narration is meant to mimic the experience of a hallucinogenic experience, and I suppose it succeeds in doing this. If you're into psychedelia and dig what was going on in California in the 1970's, then you should enjoy this film. But , in the end, Joaquin Phoenix's "Doc" is no "Dude."… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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5

Mike_MJan 19, 2015

I've seen this movie twice, both because I'm a PT Anderson fan, and because on first viewing, I came out scratching my head, and I thought that I might be missing its merits.

As opposed to other films of its ilk that have an intricate,I've seen this movie twice, both because I'm a PT Anderson fan, and because on first viewing, I came out scratching my head, and I thought that I might be missing its merits.

As opposed to other films of its ilk that have an intricate, even deliberately convoluted plot (The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, The Big Lebowski, and maybe Kiss Me Deadly or other noir), Inherent Vice isn't wall-to-wall engaging scenes. A few of the scenes are, but far too many aren't sufficiently engaging. Half the scenes in this movie, right from the start, are highly skilled (the lighting, the acting, the composition), and otherwise wholly shruggable.

There's plenty of brains and heart as the movie talks about squares vs
subversives, or the abandoned values of the 60's being more human than the greed to follow, but if you've considered all this before, it might not add anything for you.

It's skillfully made, smart, and challenging.
But I'm still not sure I see what the artistic insights or merits are.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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5

hotfromcauldronDec 13, 2014

Excuse my incoherent advice of this '70's pot- smoked smog- filled Los Angeles true detective flick.
Our road map of a plot that keeps piling on is a narration of Pynchon's passages as we drop in for some quirky characters in cleverExcuse my incoherent advice of this '70's pot- smoked smog- filled Los Angeles true detective flick.
Our road map of a plot that keeps piling on is a narration of Pynchon's passages as we drop in for some quirky characters in clever repartee. And yet interest never builds. Maybe some words are meant to be read and reread - not made for "motion" pictures. And if you should go stoned--halfway through - the munchies will win out --as you run for a giant popcorn and Arnold Palmer.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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6

yezoMar 30, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is a half-comedy half-detective movie. And there is quite a lots of confusion. The characters whisper a lot throughout the movie which made me difficult to understand what they were talking. The flow of the movie is a bit slow. I saw a few people fell asleep in the cinema. Nonetheless, it is a not a bad movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

lasttimeisawJun 17, 2015

Before watching Paul Thomas Anderson's latest labour-of-love, I am quite puzzled how come this film hovered under the radar almost entirely in the past Oscar season, since PTA is pretty much in his heyday both in his career path and artisticBefore watching Paul Thomas Anderson's latest labour-of-love, I am quite puzzled how come this film hovered under the radar almost entirely in the past Oscar season, since PTA is pretty much in his heyday both in his career path and artistic creativity after THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007, 9/10) and THE MASTER (2012) , with only two minor Oscar nominations (Adapted Screenplay and Costume Design), its box office journey is also underperformed, a meagre $8 million after its domestic run.

keep reading my review on my blog, please google: cinema omnivore, thanks!… Expand