Rather than mocking the figure, however, Anderson expresses a genuine empathy for his mystified subjectivity. setting, in a fictional neighborhood called Gordita Beach, which may as well exist within the confines of Doc’s hazy mind. Anderson’s regular cinematographer, Robert Elswit, alternates between shadowy nighttime sequences and a bright palette to evoke the sunny L.A. One effective gag involves repeated cutaways to the scrappy notes he takes in his office as clues pile up (“paranoia,” reads one), which reflect his limited perspective rather than any real detective work. More important than any of these incidents is the way Anderson highlights Doc’s alternately bemused and frightened state. Meanwhile, Doc and Bigfoot form a curious relationship as they close in on one possible culprit. goes about digging for more details involving Wolfman’s schemes, gathering information from a supportive district attorney (Reese Witherspoon), with whom he also shares his bed. After Doc’s saved from custody by his irreverent lawyer (a deadpan Benicio Del Toro), the p.i. Meanwhile, tracking Wolfman’s movements to one of his properties, Doc is knocked unconscious and framed for murder, putting him in the trenchant officer Bigfoot’s crosshairs. In an early exchange, the seductive Shasta pays a visit to Doc and explains how Wolfman’s wife and lover have goaded her into taking down the real estate mogul she then promptly vanishes from the scene. While the setting returns Anderson to the “Boogie Nights” era,” it trades that movie’s pizzazz - not to mention its epic scope - for the probing qualities found in “The Master.” While swapping ominous atmosphere for playful soul-searching, it retains the same predilection for raising questions rather than trying to answer them. “Inherent Vice” never reaches comedically vibrant heights, but the movie has plenty of charm. Phoenix’s perplexed expression is matched by Johnny Greenwood’s wonderfully meandering soundtrack, which - along with several well-selected pop songs from the period - enrich the movie with the tenor of Doc’s jumbled experiences. Anderson turns book passages into voiceover narration read by Joanna Newsom, who has a bit part as one of Doc’s regular female companions. Some of the book’s more outrageous moments, including an outlandish acid trip, have been dropped in favor of episodes that encapsulate Doc’s fractured relationship to the world. But Anderson trades the goofy energy of Pynchon’s prose for a sweeter vibe. Like the book, “Inherent Vice” is enmeshed in Doc’s perpetual bewilderment. Doc’s never too far from his next joint, and we’re right there with him. Those unfamiliar with the novel may find the details pretty hard to follow - but that’s fine. Everything’s connected and adds up to something, but never all at once. In the meantime, Doc is tasked with tracking down a wayward musician (Owen Wilson) who abandoned his family and faked his death. While attempting to track down his missing ex-girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterson) and bust the shady landowner Mickey Wolfman (Eric Roberts), with whom she’s engaged in an affair, he dodges the conspiratorial advances of local police chief “Bigfoot” Bjornsen (Josh Brolin), who harbors dubious motives of his own. Here, the mystified protagonist is Larry “Doc” Sportello (a mutton-chopped Joaquin Phoenix), an eternally doped-up investigator. ‘The League’ Review: Sam Pollard Chronicles Another Engrossing Slice of Essential American History
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