Inland Empire appears to be a film that exists for itself and for its maker, not necessarily for us

Quickly devolves into self-parody. Dern gives a virtuoso performance, albeit in an overwrought, numbing void.

Inland Empire opens and contracts in your imagination while you watch it -- and you're still watching it well after it's left the screen. It's a long but thoroughly absorbing three hours.

The movie's studied, deliberate refusal to develop interesting characters, provide a plot, or to say anything gets old after three hours.