Licorice Pizza

Paul Thomas Anderson writes and directs his first film since 2017’s Phantom Thread. Set in the San Fernando Valley in 1973 we have a kind of coming of age tale. Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) a confident 15 year old, a TV actor and entrepreneur with a PR company under his belt and always looking for the next opportunity. Alana (Alana Haim) is in her mid 20’s and drifting, unsure of what she wants. They meet in the queue for Gary’s high school year book photographs and Gary talks Alana into a “date”. From there we follow their journey of growing up, starting to understand who they are, what they want and what they want from each other. All via a set of quirky stories including water beds, pinball machines, mayoral elections and runaway trucks.

I’m a real fan of films about life and its ebbs and flows they are often the most satisfying. And Anderson brings lots of ebbs and flows to the screen in what is a lovely watch.

It is quirky and, for the most part, a warm and charming story. Built around two stella first time performances from Hoffman and Haim. They are not your usual stars of a coming of age story, but it is their unique quality, quirky nature, warmth and engaging presence that makes their awkward coming of age slash love story work so well. It is built around their story, together and apart. The supporting cast is great with (the award nominated cameo) Bradley Cooper, Sean Penn, Tom Waits and a well hidden John C. Reilly. But it is when Gary and Alana are together the films shines most.

Its look and soundtrack, as well as slices of nostalgia from oil blockades to water beds and pinball. All helps capture a wonderful feel of 70’s California.

It isn’t perfect, it runs a little long, driven mainly by occasional detours to stories that didn’t quite work for me. But overall it is full of charm and heart.

Licorice Pizza is a charming story and a joyous watch as you spend time exploring life with its two wonderfully engaging central characters. It’s not a big story with a winding narrative, it’s just life. A gorgeous slice of Licorice Pizza life at that.