Licorice Pizza (2021)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Bradley Cooper

The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.

I was curious about the film’s title. As it turns out, the film is named after a record store chain called ‘Licorice Pizza’. Also, according to director Paul Thomas Anderson, both licorice and pizza resonate with childhood memories, and he liked the sound of that for a coming of age movie.

I have several issues with this highly acclaimed film. Firstly, the characters. The most obvious is having a romance between a 15-year old boy and a 25-year old woman. Not that age gap is an issue in relationships, but because the boy is a minor and the film therefore had a bit of a sour taste in the mouth being a ‘love story’.

Also, none of the characters were likable. No, not even the leads Alana and Gary. I mean, was this supposed to be a romantic film? Gary wanted to be with Alana from the moment he saw her, and when he got the chance he suddenly didn’t want her anymore. Then, when she didn’t want him anymore, he wanted her again. Then not, then he did, then she didn’t, then she did… oh whatever!! As for Alana, she threw herself at every man she met! Wow, now there’s romance for you (pffff!!!!!)

With so many characters coming and going, I completely lost track of them and the film simply felt like a bunch of short stories gelled together to make one movie. As for Gary, I didn’t find this character believable. This guy had so many mood changes that it was hard to summarize him. He is an actor and entrepreneur, and businessman at the age of fifteen…

I also found the film slow moving with not all that much interesting happening – or, at least, nothing that interested me. This is not my kind of movie, and found it a bit boring since the ‘love story’ was anything but romantic. So, where did I want the movie to go? Honestly, I didn’t care because I didn’t root for any of the characters. I certainly didn’t care for Gary and Alana being a couple, that’s for sure!

On a positive note, the performances are very good.

‘Licorice Pizza’ received 237 award nominations (including 3 Oscar nominations – Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay), winning 57 so far.

Would I watch it again? Nope!