Inherent Vice
Seen it?2014 | 149 min | Drama, Mystery, Comedy
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (74% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite a box office loss. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Gone Baby Gone or Brick, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 29 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In Los Angeles at the turn of the 1970s, drug-fueled detective Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Film Independent Spirit Awards: Best Score. Also nominated for 1 Golden Globe, 4 Critics' Choice Awards and 1 DGA Award. Plus 6 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$15 million worldwide on a $20 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 637K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Weeknight WatchAlso stars Benicio del Toro, in another drug-world dramedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Gone Baby Gone
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drug-world drama.
Brick Saturday SpecialAnother drug-world drama, and a Saturday Special.
Filth
Sunday Safe BetAnother drug-world dramedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
A Walk Among the Tombstones Weeknight WatchAnother drug-world drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
- Joaquin PhoenixLarry "Doc" Sportello
- Josh BrolinLt. Det. Christian F. "Bigfoot" Bjornsen
- Owen WilsonCoy Harlingen
- Katherine WaterstonShasta Fay Hepworth
- Reese WitherspoonDeputy D.A. Penny Kimball
- Benicio del ToroSauncho Smilax, Esq.
- Jena MaloneHope Harlingen
- Joanna NewsomSortilège, who is also the narrator
- Jordan Christian HearnDenis
- Hong ChauJade