This lesser-known coming-of-age film is directed by Paul Anderson and received three Oscar nominations. With a 90 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, Licorice Pizza is something of a hidden gem.
The comedy-drama follows a quirky pair growing up in 1970s Hollywood, as they roam around and fall in love in the San Fernando Valley. It’s Gary Valentine’s first time in love, and it just so happens to be with an older woman.
Licorice Pizza stars Alana Haim as Alana Kane in her debut movie role. The actress makes up one third of the Californian rock band Haim – along with her sisters Este and Danielle – who are close friends with Taylor Swift and even opened up for her on The Eras Tour.
Alongside her is Cooper Hoffman, who also made his screen debut in the film, playing the lead role as Gary Valentine. Both stars have been praised for their acting in the rom-com, with viewers saying they give “brilliant performances”. One Rotten Tomatoes review stated: “The chemistry between the characters is fantastic, and you find yourself rooting for them in every wacky scenario they get themselves involved in.”
Director Paul Thomas Anderson has a close connection to the Haim family – Alana’s mother Donna was his school art teacher, and he directed a number of music videos for Haim. Alana’s real-life family her family members in the film, which also features Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn.
One pleased viewer wrote: “No one does authenticity like Paul Thomas Anderson. He just has a way of making films seem so real. This film takes place in the 1970s and it feels like it could easily have been made in the 1970s.”
Many have commented on the film’s aesthetics and cinematography, which helped it receive four Golden Globe nominations. While others enjoyed these aspects of the film, others were left wanting a deeper plot.
A disappointed review states: “I have no idea what people and critics see in this movie. Nonsensical plot and very uncomfortable age gap that honestly doesn’t even need to be there. What point does having performances by Sean Penn, Tom Waits, and Bradley Cooper just fall flat for me. The best thing about this movie is Alana Haim.”
Another shared their thoughts on the film by saying: “A film that makes perfect sense. Its appeal is generational and its theme, though a common story, follows a unique tale where first loves come first. No matter your age, this film’s boyish charm and girlish revolt will haunt you with a homesickness for the scenes of your childhood; a bygone era when our world was simple and easy to love.”
Licorice Pizza will be on BBC Two on Friday (April 11) at 11pm. It will be available on iPlayer afterwards.
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