MOVIE REVIEW
Licorice Pizza
RELEASE DATE: November 26, 2021 (limited)
December 25, 2021 (wide)

RATING: R (some drug use, sexual material, language)

It took me a while to get into the rhythm of Licorice Pizza, a story as intriguing as its title. But once I did
find that rhythm, I was captivated by this story of two people in 1970s San Fernando Valley finding each
other – and themselves – on their respective journey.
The film’s title is an homage to a former southern California record store chain of the 1970s and ‘80s.
Don’t bother looking for it, nor licorice, nor pizza in this film.
Writer/director/co-producer Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) has based the
character of Gary Valentine (portrayed convincingly and charmingly by young Cooper Hoffman, son of
the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman) on film and TV producer Gary Goetzman. While no doubt taking
some liberties with specifics, the film centers on Gary’s longing for a relationship with a photographer’s
assistant, Alana Kane (portrayed by Alana Haim, performer with her sisters in the pop rock band Haim).
Despite an age difference of the two characters, she older than he by some 10 years, this coming-of-age
story really reflects the self-discovery of Alana as she grows into having the confidence that Gary has
demonstrated all along.
There are some interesting supporting players in Licorice Pizza, including Sean Penn as an eccentric
veteran actor, and Bradley Cooper in a humorous turn as Jon Peters, the legendary film producer and
one-time boyfriend of Barbra Streisand. Add the San Fernando Valley retro backdrop, including a replica
of the iconic Tail o’ the Cock restaurant, with video arcade and waterbed nostalgia, and Licorice Pizza is a
tasty cinematic treat.