In what is most assuredly Paul Thomas Anderson's most optimistic, joyful film since Punch Drunk Love, Licorice Pizza brings some much needed warmth to an otherwise cold moviegoing season. Let's be honest: It's been a cold year too.
After nearly two years of continuing to feel uneasy about venturing into actual movie theaters, and at a time when virtually everything released is available day and date to stream online, Licorice Pizza reminds us why we go to the theater. It also serves as the perfect companion piece to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood.
I had the privilege of seeing this film the way it was meant to be seen: Projected on 70MM film in Los Angeles. I was visiting friends for Thanksgiving and happily was able to snag a ticket, courtesy of my close friend.
The fact that it screened on film only enhanced the experience of Licorice Pizza, which is itself a love letter to Old Hollywood and an expression of young love just beginning to blossom.
The film stars Alana Haim (of the band Haim) and Cooper Hoffman (son of the late, great Phillip Seymour Hoffman) as Alana Kane and Gary Valentine, respectively. To keep things broad and vague, I'll just say that Alana and Gary form a friendship that may or may not be romantic in nature, and the film follows their "adventures" as they get into the waterbed business together, as well as the occasional acting opportunity.
While our website is known for its "spoiler free" title, this is truly one of those movies where the less you know going in, the better. Haim and Hoffman are both excellent, with Hoffman somehow managing to remind you of everything you loved about his father, while also proving that he's his own actor with much promise ahead.
The supporting players are all terrific as well, especially, but not limited to, Sean Penn as Jack Holden (a William Holden-esque actor); John Michael Higgins as Jerry Frick, who gives one of the most uncomfortably, cringe-inducing, hilarious performances of his career (you'll know it when you see it); and Bradley Cooper as Jon Peters. Cooper gives what could be his most unhinged performance since Wedding Crashers, and he nearly runs away with the movie as a result.
I loved this movie. Many cinephiles consider the work of Paul Thomas Anderson to be damn near perfect; a filmmaker's filmmaker, and I count myself as one of them. Licorice Pizza is his best film to date, and that's saying something. The cinematography by Anderson and Michael Bauman is so beautiful, it serves as the perfect palette in which to highlight the young love between Alana and Gary. The score by Jonny Greenwood is even better.
This is a movie for those of us who unapologetically love film. Anderson can sometimes have more of a niche appeal as a result, but this may also be his most easily accessible film for mass audiences. I hope it's a hit, and that it encourages more people to avail themselves of his work. It's one of the best films of the year and I'm so glad I was able to see it projected beautifully on film.
-Matt Giles
