Overview
The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.
Is this one of the best movies that I’ve ever seen? No, of course not. But what Anderson has done here is really special. First, I can’t remember the last time that I saw a courtship quite like this one. The two leads are absolutely extraordinary. I can’t believe that Haim had never really acted before as she is captivating in the role. I think part of the magic that the two of them have together is that while they are dealing with very adult complexities in their relationship there is still a sweetness that wins the day. I don’t think this film works without their chemistry.
I think that Alanna’s character is an interesting one all on her own. In most scenes she appears to look the same age as Greg but in some scenes (mostly around people older than her) she appears to be made up to look older. In her travels she gets to see different men (regardless of age) in all of their glory – arrogant, womanizing, hustling, etc. While she is often naïve in her own way she gets her own education when it comes to men.
I gave the film a little more credit because of its originality.
IHATEBadMovies.com reviews Licorice Pizza
Movie title: Licorice Pizza
Movie description: The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.
Date published: 2022-02-20
Director(s): Paul Thomas Anderson
Actor(s): Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie, Skyler Gisondo, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, John Michael Higgins, Christine Ebersole, Harriet Sansom Harris, Joseph Cross, Danielle Haim, Este Haim, Moti Haim, Donna Haim, Maya Rudolph, Ryan Heffington, John C. Reilly, Nate Mann, Isabelle Kusman, Destry Allyn Spielberg, George DiCaprio, Iyana Halley, Ray Chase, Emma Dumont, Yumi Mizui, Megumi Anjo, Emily Althaus, Tim Conway Jr., Griff Giacchino, James Kelley, Will Angarola, Milo Herschlag, Craig Stark, Fatimah Hassan, Bottara Angele, Grace Kennedy-Piehl, Louis Delavenne, Joann Coleman, Anthony Molinari, Deana Molle', Joe Don Harris, Rogelio Camarillo, Natalia Becerril, Nathan M. Hadden, Mary Eileen O'Donnell, Elton McCrudden, Patrick Salway, Lakin Valdez, Zachary Chicos, Brian Kehew, Devon Knopp, Tess Rianne Sullivan, Thomas John Rudolph, Collin Sutton, Ray Nicholson, Eloy Perez, Mark Kirksey, Joshua Carl Allen, Sasha Spielberg, Gerren Hall, Steven Herrera, Paige Locke, Charlotte Townsend, Zoe McLane, Jeff Willy, Brandon Koen, Richard B. Larimore, Pearl Anderson, Karen Kilgariff
Genre: Drama, Comedy
My Review
Is this one of the best movies that I’ve ever seen? No, of course not. But what Anderson has done here is really special. First, I can’t remember the last time that I saw a courtship quite like this one. The two leads are absolutely extraordinary. I can’t believe that Haim had never really acted before as she is captivating in the role. I think part of the magic that the two of them have together is that while they are dealing with very adult complexities in their relationship there is still a sweetness that wins the day. I don’t think this film works without their chemistry.
I think that Alanna’s character is an interesting one all on her own. In most scenes she appears to look the same age as Greg but in some scenes (mostly around people older than her) she appears to be made up to look older. In her travels she gets to see different men (regardless of age) in all of their glory – arrogant, womanizing, hustling, etc. While she is often naïve in her own way she gets her own education when it comes to men.
I gave the film a little more credit because of its originality.
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My Review - 8/10
8/10