Inherent Vice

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Inherent Vice

Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson reteams with Joaquin Phoenix (The Master) for this adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel, set in 1970, about a hapless Los Angeles detective named Larry “Doc” Sportello (Phoenix). Doc starts off investigating the disappearance of a former girlfriend, but (thanks to his drug-addled state) winds up spiraling further down a rabbit hole with no end. Anderson, harkening back to the epic casts of past efforts like Magnolia and Boogie Nights, stockpiles talent here — Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Michael Kenneth Williams and Martin Short — like it’s going out of style. (Opens Friday) (R) Not screened in time for review