A charming and endearing coming-of-age story for the ages.
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Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza is a charming and endearing coming-of-age story for the ages. It is arguably his most feel-good film in awhile and undoubtedly another winning entry to his growing filmography.
Set in the San Fernando Valley in 1973, the film follows 15-year-old Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) and 25-year-old Alana Kane (Alana Haim of pop-rock band Haim) as they embark on a budding friendship journey that’s not short of chaos, fun, and freedom. It marks both Hoffman and Haim’s film debuts.
The casting choice was a bold but great move as it is ultimately their freshness that makes the film all the more grounded and endearing. Not only are Hoffman and Haim’s Gary and Alana relatable and likable characters, but the actors who play them have such great chemistry and natural talent that you’re bound to fall in love. But if you're looking for a more familiar face, we should probably mention that Bradley Cooper is also in this and he delivers a performance that we're hailing as one of his career's best (He'd hate to hear it but it's true). You gotta see it to believe it.
And if all that still doesn’t work for you, Anderson’s comedy-drama also features an elaborate set design and carefully curated soundtrack that will undoubtedly leave you feeling captivated and wishing you could time-travel back to the 70s.
Conceptually, a licorice pizza sounds disgusting and shouldn’t exist but we’re glad this film does. Can’t wait to go see it in cinemas again and live it ten times or more!
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