Paul Thomas Anderson: Joaquin's my pet

Paul Thomas Anderson sees Joaquin Phoenix as a dog that will fetch a ball "over and over and over again".

The award-winning filmmaker directs the 40-year-old actor in his latest big screen picture, Inherent Vice. Joaquin plays detective Doc Sportello, and Paul was impressed with his performance skills; especially how each take would result in something new and better.

"He's like a dog that will fetch the ball over and over and over again. You can throw it down the cliff, you can throw it into the snow, you can throw it in the ocean, and he will go get the ball and bring it back," Paul smiled to Rolling Stone. "And he will curl up in your lap and keep you warm by the fire. He's the best dog I've ever had. That's going to be your pull quote, isn't it' 'Joaquin Phoenix is the best dog I've ever had' (laughs)."

The movie expert may not have helmed many features over his career, but each offering he has released has been a hit. He's never felt intimidated working alongside some of the world's biggest stars, with his original silver screen picture featuring some acting greats.

"I was lucky in that my first feature, Hard Eight, I was working with John C. Reilly, Philip Baker Hall, Sam Jackson and Gwyneth Paltrow – they taught me a lot," he recalled.

He noted how he overheard them discussing frustrating scenarios they'd been through on other sets, such as being over-directed or having a really loud environment.

"The worst thing in the world is when there's an assistant director who screams right before a take (yells), 'Everybody quiet! This is a very emotional scene!'" he grinned.