For many cinephiles, the arrival of a new film from Paul Thomas Anderson is always cause for celebration. After months of anticipation, his Thomas Pynchon adaptation, Inherent Vice, is almost here. (It’s already opened in limited release, and had one sneak-peek Chicago showing.) Inhabiting the role of stoner P.I. Doc Sportello, Joaquin Phoenix shows off his comedic chops (and mutton chops) alongside an eclectic cast featuring Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Benecio Del Toro, and more. Inherent Vice opens in Chicago on January 9, but, if you simply can’t wait any longer, The A.V. Club has a chance for you to attend a free screening on January 6. To win a pair of passes, follow the link here and enter code AVCIV0106LCC. As always, seating is first come, first serve, so arrive early. You can find an official synopsis and trailer below.
“Inherent Vice is the seventh feature from Paul Thomas Anderson and the first ever film adaption of a Thomas Pynchon novel. When private eye Doc Sportello’s ex-old lady suddenly out of nowhere shows up with a story about her current billionaire land developer boyfriend whom she just happens to be in love with, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap that billionaire and throw him in a looney bin…well, easy for her to say. It’s the tail end of the psychedelic `60s and paranoia is running the day and Doc knows that “love” is another of those words going around at the moment, like “trip” or “groovy,” that’s being way too overused – except this one usually leads to trouble. With a cast of characters that includes surfers, hustlers, dopers and rockers, a murderous loan shark, LAPD Detectives, a tenor sax player working undercover, and a mysterious entity known as the Golden Fang, which may only be a tax dodge set up by some dentists… Part surf noir, part psychedelic romp – all Thomas Pynchon.”