Inherent Vice – Natürliche Mängel (2014)

Inherent Vice – Natürliche Mängel: Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. With Joanna Newsom, Katherine Waterston, Joaquin Phoenix, Jordan Christian Hearn. In 1970, drug-fueled Los Angeles private investigator Larry “Doc” Sportello investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.

“Letu0026#39;s start this off with a reward offering. Iu0026#39;ll pay anyone $20 if they can explain to me, in detail, the full plot and synopsis of u0026quot;Inherent Vice,u0026quot; front to back. Thatu0026#39;s a good place to start, eh?u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe New York Film Festival press and audiences given the gift of a first look at Paul Thomas Andersonu0026#39;s hotly anticipated u0026quot;Inherent Viceu0026quot; starring Joaquin Phoenix and an all-star cast. Based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon, rumors flew about for months that the novel is a tough read and that the translation from book to film could be confusing in the hands of an auteur filmmaker like Anderson. Well, to a certain extent, they are absolutely correct. u0026quot;Inherent Viceu0026quot; is such a mind trip, one that will probably make you want to enroll in drug rehab by the end credits. Whatu0026#39;s amazing about it is even though you, nor I will probably u0026quot;get it,u0026quot; and thereu0026#39;s way more questions than answers at the moment, I cannot wait to revisit it again to start seeking those things out. You can see a little of Andersonu0026#39;s entire filmography.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOur u0026quot;basic synopsisu0026quot; is the story of Larry u0026quot;Docu0026quot; Sportello, who in the 1970u0026#39;s, begins to search for his missing former girlfriend. The other things that accompany those facts, is a hallucination of laughs, satire, and magnificent filmmaking abilities.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eLetu0026#39;s start with thanking the good Lord for Paul Thomas Anderson and his love of 35mm. Even though the screening did not show the film in that quality (the public screening however did), thereu0026#39;s a charm thatu0026#39;s still embedded within all of Andersonu0026#39;s film that pays homage to all the classic films of history. This is also partly thanks to Academy Award winning DP Robert Elswit, who can frame a scene to tension and success. Much like his past efforts such as u0026quot;The Master,u0026quot; u0026quot;There Will Be Blood,u0026quot; and u0026quot;Boogie Nights,u0026quot; thereu0026#39;s a magnitude of a visual masteru0026#39;s exercises on display. He crafts provocative and engaging players that fully mesmerize you for its duration. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOn the top of his game, once again is the genius that is Joaquin Phoenix. Heu0026#39;s hilarious, and nothing like u0026quot;The Dudeu0026quot; as many will compare him. Heu0026#39;s a three-dimensional character with layers, fully invested in the story, and best of all, utterly believable. In a quirky, detective mystery such as this, you expect some outrageous behavior that can sometimes run false. Call me crazy, I believed nearly all. Phoenix is pure, ludicrous, and keeps you fixated entirely. You couldnu0026#39;t ask for a more dependable thespian at this time in cinema. Thereu0026#39;s even a weird but obvious comparison to Freddie Quell, as if Freddieu0026#39;s illegitimate child got into drugs and missed out on the alcoholism.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe supporting players are as rich as any Anderson creation before. Finally back to large ensembles, where he has shined time and time again in films like u0026quot;Magnolia,u0026quot; he assembles one of the strongest casts seen in 2014. Like a rock and roll star, Josh Brolin owns the stage with a savage and vicious dedication to his character, he stands out as one of the finest performances of the year. I adored him, and it might be his finest outing yet, and something that could ring him some much deserved awards attention. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf you donu0026#39;t know her name yet, Katherine Waterston will be on the tongues of many for years to come. As Shasta Fay Hepworth, youu0026#39;ll find an enigmatic character with an entrancing and sensual aura. At times, feeling like a mixture of Rollergirl from u0026quot;Boogie Nightsu0026quot; and Claudia Wilson Gator from u0026quot;Magnolia,u0026quot; Waterston is one of engrossing and compelling characters of the year. Itu0026#39;s an awards worthy performance, baring the soul of a performer that understands her purpose, Waterston is plain magnificent. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYou will get big chuckles from Benicio del Toro, Owen Wilson, and Martin Short, all of which make their mark. In one strong scene, Jena Malone leaves her mark while Michael Kenneth Williams could have set the screen on fire with more time than what he was given. Sasha Pieterse (fabulous as always), Reese Witherspoon (reminding us why we loved Johnny and June Cash together so much), Eric Roberts (yearning for a larger role at this time in his career), Joanna Newsom (our new female Morgan Freeman of this generationu0026#39;s narrators), and Maya Rudolph (who needs to team up with hubby more often), all shine.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhy the world isnu0026#39;t recognizing Jonny Greenwood as one of the most innovative and talented composers yet is beyond me. Once again, everything on-screen is elevated by his eerie composition and whimsical take on the 70u0026#39;s aura. Not to mention, the soundtrack may be THE album of the year. You canu0026#39;t tell me that you wonu0026#39;t have that on repeat seconds after viewing. You also get a richly realized costume design by Mark Bridges and honest sets by David Crank and Amy Wells. Itu0026#39;s a technical masterpiece for sure.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Inherent Viceu0026quot; is such a strange demon. Hard to say you love, if you donu0026#39;t comprehend it all yet, but with enough magic to keep coming back for more. Itu0026#39;s one of the best offbeat and pecuilar monsters seen on screen this year, and you just might fall for its potent nature.”