It seems like Anderson was well-suited for this project. His frequent use of very wide camera angles creates a visual style that resonates; those who’ve experimented with photography might recognize something familiar in how the world appears when using an ultra-wide lens. The film avoids becoming overly sensationalized, unlike something like *Fear and Loathing*, because of his choices about lenses. The humor is d…

Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest movie, 'Inherent Vice,' certainly feels like his work. The film has an excellent musical score, really strong performances, and a deliberately complicated narrative that centers on a private eye (Phoenix) looking into the vanishing of an ex-girlfriend. The script is quite perplexing; understanding it proves difficult because it’s intentionally designed to be so, introducing numerous c…