Entertainment Weekly has a couple more exclusive scoops on Inherent Vice from two of the stars of the film, Josh Brolin and Katherine Waterston, and here they are:
"With Paul, he's interested in what might happen, not what should happen," Waterston recalls of filming in Los Angeles last summer. "He doesn't walk onto set with a clear goal. That can be...surprising. It didn't feel chaotic; it felt thrilling. The set felt really vital. Like you were going into a question together."
For his part, Brolin was particularly struck by the un-Hollywood tenor of Anderson's filmmaking process. Exhibit A: the actors' freedom to lodge constructive criticism (a no-no for so many Serious Auteurs) and course-correct using all means of unusual props.
"With this [film], there was a lack of pretense--a really strange lack of pretense," Brolin says. "When something isn't working, you can say, 'This feels like a turd. Let's cut the middle three pages. I'll try to improvise and provide a bridge. How about some pancakes?"
Pancakes?
"I'm not joking about the pancakes," he confirms. "Many, many pancakes. By the end of the day, you're shaking so much because you've eaten so many pancakes, you know you're going to be diabetic in the next 24 hours."Brolin went on to add that was movie was like "Cirque du Soleil more than pretentious filmmaking."
(Thanks to SuperGnodab for the heads up!)
IV (theatrical premiere): 118 days
IV (world premiere): 49 days
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It's fascinating to see how PTA has evolved. I might be wrong, but I get the sense that he was much more rigid about his plotting and vision for the script of say, Magnolia. And perhaps even up through TWBB. But it seems like The Master and now Inherent Vice have represented a phase in his career in which he's just in love with the idea of experimentation and collaboration on the set, and then figuring it all out in the editing room.
ReplyDeleteAnd we benefit... it really is something to cherish. As everyone that frequents here, I cannot wait to hear and see more
DeleteI think it was watching Robert Altman on the set of "A Prairie Home Companion" was what changed him. He said Altman taught him to "giggle and give in." I think being on that set had a profound effect on him.
DeleteBy many accounts, his approach of spontaneity and on-set experimentation started on PDL.
DeleteI think PTA put his heart hardcore into his first few projects, and following a very strict and professional guideline (as well as self-admittedly being stubborn) that once the results came out, he was able to have faith in his crew and actors. Which is not incredibly great to know a director is able to do this, but a human being alone.
ReplyDeleteAs with everyone: CAN'T WAIT!
Couldn't agree more. As Joanne Seller says, he's become a more spontaneous and improvisational filmmaker since PDL ,e.g. improvising all of Freddie's scenes on the beach in The Master. Since then, his films have gained in complexity and unpredictability. With TWBB and The Master, he's really cemented himself as our generation's most unpredictable and most accomplished auteur. These comments just reinforce that the best films are made by the most collaborative and hopelessly inquisitive (see what I did there?) talents. Bring on Inherent Vice!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot stand it anymore. I want a trailer goddammit. Enough already. The movie premieres worldwide in less than 2 months. The Master got a trailer much earlier than this. I do not understand why we can't just see a little teaser if the film is completed and they're able to show photos from it.
ReplyDeleteConsidering photos -- well, one, so far -- have been released, a trailer can't be far around the corner.
DeleteThough, I do wish even a TEASER had been released by now; even if it was something as simple as a car driving and Joaquin getting out. Just SOMETHING; ANYTHING.
Maybe Paul is being more cautious with this one, for some reason.
Well, although the promotion campaign for the Master was very exciting for the PTA's fans, but if the box office figures are anything to go by it wasn't very successful at influencing a wider audience.
DeleteSo, this time around he might be trying a different approach.
We can't really blame him since, if this film flops like the Master did, PTA might have difficulties getting funding for future projects.
Well actually, those teasers gave it the biggest opening in art house movie history. It was the movie itself that caused it to do poorly at the box office. It was too abstract and artful for general american audiences. So after its big opening, not many people came back to watch it. I remember seeing The Master opening night on its limited release date, it was sold out. The teasers were what encouraged people to go, the movie was what caused lesser audience each time around. (I am only commenting on general audiences here, I myself think it is a great film).
DeleteBrolin just did a reddit ama where he answered a couple questions about inherent vice. I think these are the only 2 but i might have missed some
ReplyDeleteQ:
Love your work. What can we expect from Inherent Vice? Do you know when a trailer is coming out? I'm dying to see it.
Josh_Brolin:
Me too!
I don't know when a trailer is coming out, I hope soon. I'm very proud of that movie. And I think Joaquin Phoenix has reached an alien level of talent.
Q:
We all are looking forward to see "Inherent Vice". How would you describe working with Paul Thomas Anderson?
Josh Brolin:
After Goonies and the Coens, one of the greatest experiences of my life. He creates an ambience of creative insanity. It felt like swimming in a Ralph Steadman drawing. Whoa, deep. Heavy.
We Got This Covered boasts a new image of Joaquin as Doc: http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/joaquin-phoenix-finds-hippie-image-inherent-vice/#!bHJhRz
ReplyDelete