“Inherent Vice” (2014) is a neo-noir crime-comedy film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s novel of the same name. Set in 1970s Los Angeles, the film blends mystery, romance, and humor into a psychedelic tale of paranoia, drugs, and corruption.
The story revolves around Larry “Doc” Sportello (played by Joaquin Phoenix), a hippie private investigator who is constantly high and living in the beachside community of Gordita Beach, California. One day, his ex-girlfriend Shasta Fay Hepworth (played by Katherine Waterston) unexpectedly visits him with a strange case. Shasta, now the mistress of wealthy real estate mogul Mickey Wolfmann (played by Eric Roberts), tells Doc that Mickey is being targeted by his wife and her lover, who plan to have him committed to a mental institution.
Despite his hazy state of mind, Doc takes on the case and quickly becomes embroiled in a web of interconnected mysteries. As Doc investigates, he learns that Mickey Wolfmann has mysteriously disappeared. His search takes him through the underbelly of Los Angeles, where he encounters an eclectic cast of characters.
Along the way, Doc meets the enigmatic Coy Harlingen (played by Owen Wilson), a saxophone player who has gone missing and is presumed dead but is secretly working as a government informant. Doc also crosses paths with Lt. Det. Christian F. “Bigfoot” Bjornsen (played by Josh Brolin), a square-jawed, hard-nosed LAPD detective who harbors both disdain and a weird affection for Doc. Bigfoot is both a rival and, at times, an uneasy ally as Doc navigates the chaos around him.
Doc’s journey leads him to uncover a shadowy organization called “The Golden Fang,” which could be involved in drug trafficking, dental clinics, and possibly more sinister activities. The more Doc digs, the more he finds himself caught between crooked cops, hippies, neo-Nazis, and paranoid conspiracies.
As the film progresses, Doc tries to piece together the clues in a world where nothing is quite what it seems. He also navigates his feelings for Shasta, who remains a mysterious and elusive presence throughout the movie. Their relationship is tinged with nostalgia and regret as Doc attempts to reconcile his past with his present.
“Inherent Vice” combines detective noir and stoner comedy, with Anderson capturing the hazy, paranoid atmosphere of 1970s Los Angeles. The film touches on themes of loss, corruption, and the shifting cultural tides of the era, juxtaposing the idealism of the 1960s counterculture with the cynicism and commercialization of the 1970s. Its plot is intentionally convoluted, reflecting the drug-addled perspective of its protagonist, who often struggles to keep track of reality.
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