As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating worlds of Paul Thomas Anderson, I must say that ‘Licorice Pizza’ is nothing short of a delightful masterpiece. Growing up in the vibrant streets of Southern California, much like Gary and Alana, I can attest to the nostalgia this film evokes. It’s as if PTA reached into my memory bank and pulled out the essence of those carefree, tumultuous days of youth.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share my excitement about Paul Thomas Anderson, one of the most esteemed filmmakers of our time. Currently, he’s in post-production for his next masterpiece, provisionally called “The Hombres of Baktan Cross.” While we all wait with bated breath for more insights into the enigmatic Leonardo DiCaprio project, I encourage fellow fans to catch up on Anderson’s latest gem, “Licorice Pizza,” available for free on Tubi. This film offers a delightful, spontaneous, and joyous journey through Anderson’s 1970s San Fernando Valley childhood. Not only is it one of his most personal works, but it’s also among his highest-rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes.
1973, nestled in Southern California, the film “Licorice Pizza” unfolds as a charming blend of romance, comedy, and nostalgia. Its narrative and editing style are casual yet engaging, evoking a sense of a lively, retro hangout movie. The story, infused with autobiographical elements by PTA, provides a peek into his childhood, immersing viewers in the vibrant, swinging ’70s – an era characterized by bell-bottom pants, vinyl records, big Afros, and other iconic elements of the time.
A Romantic Coming-of-Age Tale
In November 2021, Paul Thomas Anderson penned and directed “Licorice Pizza”, a film inspired by his friends Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman. Alana is a member of the band Haim, for which PTA has made several music videos, while Cooper is the son of Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was Anderson’s long-time friend and frequent collaborator, widely recognized as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Initially, the movie was intended to be a heartfelt, autobiographical story about adolescent love that went unreturned, with PTA enlisting friends to portray their experiences growing up in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley. The narrative revolves around Gary Valentine (Hoffman), a cunning teen who harbors feelings for Alana Kane (Haim), an older and more sophisticated 25-year-old budding photographer. As Gary chases after Alana like a lovesick puppy, she taunts and manipulates his emotions while rejecting his advances.
Unwavering in his affection, Gary demonstrates his love for Alana by assisting her in obtaining casting auditions across Los Angeles and offering her employment at his waterbed enterprise. Interestingly, Paul Thomas Anderson draws inspiration for this character from his real-life friend Gary Goetzman, a former child actor who ventured into the waterbed business. Sean Penn’s portrayal of Jack Holden is modeled after actor William Holden, which ultimately lands Alana a high-profile audition due to Anderson’s eagerness. As Anderson merges his dreamy nostalgia with Goetzman and Holden’s real-life experiences, “Licorice Pizza” surpasses conventional genres, becoming an essential viewing experience.
Licorice Pizza Is PTA at His Most Personal & Playful in Years
If you’re not already familiar with it, “Licorice Pizza” was a chain of vinyl record stores that were well-known in Southern California during the 1970s and 1980s. The name is inspired by the round shape of vinyl records, which resemble pizzas, and their black grooves, similar to licorice candy’s stripes. You might remember a Licorice Pizza store from the Ridgemont Mall in the popular 1982 teen comedy “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” In essence, watching this movie transports you back to the carefree spirit of ’80s teenage life coming-of-age stories.
In stark contrast to the meticulously constructed “Phantom Thread”, the film “Licorice Pizza” exudes a more carefree, improvisational atmosphere. The rapid pace, casual storytelling, handheld camera work, and creative editing choices mimic the tangible sensation of growing up in Southern California during 1973. The unpolished performances by newcomers Haim and Hoffman lend an authenticity to the film that vividly captures the era and immerses viewers into a particular moment in time. As a result, “Licorice Pizza” is Paul Thomas Anderson’s most personal, lighthearted, and enjoyable work since his earlier film “Boogie Nights”, which was also set in the SFV during the ’70s and ’80s.
Instead of adhering strictly to traditional filmmaking techniques and a structured narrative, Licorice Pizza transforms into an engaging movie that feels like hanging out with friends, boasting high rewatchability. The plot points are secondary compared to the charming atmosphere Paul Thomas Anderson creates through Gary and Alana’s playful conversations. The film’s use of ’70s music and fashion adds authenticity to the characters, making them come alive. Similarly to his adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel Inherent Vice, Licorice Pizza prioritizes showcasing the eccentricities of its characters rather than focusing on intricate plotting and story resolutions, with Gary and Alana’s romantic whimsy taking center stage.
The Critical Response to ‘Licorice Pizza’
Despite many of Paul Thomas Anderson’s films receiving high praise on Rotten Tomatoes, Licorice Pizza stands out as one of his most celebrated narrative features. At present, it boasts a remarkable 90% score on the platform, making it one of his highest-rated films. Interestingly, only Boogie Nights (94%), There Will Be Blood (91%), and Phantom Thread (91%) have higher ratings. However, none can match the exceptional 97% Rotten Tomatoes score that Anderson achieved for the moving 2022 documentary about Robert Downey Sr., titled Sr.
Regarding Licorice Pizza, RT’s critical consensus reads:
Licorice Pizza sees Paul Thomas Anderson effortlessly slipping into a familiar yet engaging style, drawing standout, potentially career-launching performances from his young cast members.
The Rotten Tomatoes audience consensus states:
Watching ‘Licorice Pizza’ may stir up feelings of nostalgia for your past years, provided you’re comfortable navigating the loose narrative thread it presents.
Although many reviewers bring up reasonable arguments about the film’s strengths, it seems that Robert Collin from The Telegraph expresses it most eloquently, asserting:
In today’s digital age where content is organized by algorithms, Anderson’s ninth movie, released after 2017’s ‘Phantom Thread’, is remarkably elusive to categorize. To find something comparable, you would need to rewind approximately half a century, to films like Hal Ashby’s ‘Shampoo’ or Peter Bogdanovich’s ‘The Last Picture Show’. These movies share a similar, dreamlike mechanical rhythm.
Since specifics about the 10th movie from PTA (Paul Thomas Anderson) haven’t been revealed yet, why not treat yourself to a complimentary viewing of Licorice Pizza on Tubi in the meantime?
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2024-11-25 01:32