‘Inherent Vice’ Trailer Gets into the Paranoid Groove

Among all of the films hitting theaters this holiday season, Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Inherent Vice’ is one gloriously odd duck, a gift from Anderson to ensure that those of us who venture out to take in a movie around Christmas will have a more … eccentric option. The latest trailer is titled “Paranoia” and continues to keep the momentum kooky and laid back—that’s not just the editing of the trailer, either: ‘Inherent Vice’ is a more relaxed film than Anderson’s previous efforts, drifting along like the smoke curling up from Joaquin Phoenix’s joint.

To be honest, a lot of people are going to dislike ‘Inherent Vice’: the film has little forward momentum and isn’t beholden to traditional narrative structure or pacing (which can be wonderful). But if you’re digging these trailers and TV spots for the film or if you’re a fan of the Thomas Pynchon novel on which it’s based, you’ll probably like what Anderson’s getting into here.

The latest trailer focuses on paranoia, with Joanna Newsom’s character once again narrating throughout, guiding us like a hippie shaman through the wacky story of Phoenix’s Doc Sportello and his investigation into the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend’s wealthy paramour. But reducing the film down to basic plot elements almost does it a disservice, and these trailers have done a fantastic job in capturing the film’s free-form tone and wackiness.

‘Inherent Vice’ also stars Josh Brolin, Katherine Waterston, Owen Wilson, Eric Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, and Benicio del Toro, and gets a limited theatrical release this Friday, December 12. The trailer also features a list of select cities that will hold special screenings this Saturday, December 13: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Oakland, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. For more info and to RSVP for tickets to these special screenings, visit the official site.