Movie Name: Licorice Pizza

Quick Info

Title: Licorice Pizza
Release Year: 2021
Duration: 2h 13min (133 minutes)
Genre: Coming-of-age / Comedy drama

Main Cast:
Alana Haim (as Alana Kane), Cooper Hoffman (as Gary Valentine), Supporting: Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie

Licorice Pizza (2021)


Storyline

Set in 1973 in the San Fernando Valley, Licorice Pizza follows the winding relationship between a teenage former child actor, Gary Valentine, and Alana Kane, a somewhat directionless young woman. Over a series of episodic encounters, business schemes, awkward flirtations, and emotional missteps, the two navigate a friendship that hovers between romance and platonic connection.

While Alana is older and more worldly, Gary is persistent and idealistic. Their paths cross in various ventures: helping sell waterbeds, navigating Hollywood oddities, and contending with quirky characters in their orbit. Together, they explore youthful ambition, longing, and the messy dynamics of early love.

Production Details

Director / Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson
Producers: Sara Murphy, Adam Somner, Paul Thomas Anderson
Cinematography: Michael Bauman & Paul Thomas Anderson
Editor: Andy Jurgensen
Music: Jonny Greenwood
Studio / Distributors: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Focus Features, Ghoulardi Film Company, United Artists Releasing (US) & Universal (Intl)
Budget / Box Office: Budget ~$40 million; grossed $33.3 million worldwide

Trivia & Fun Facts

Alana Haim’s real family members play her family in the film, giving more authenticity to family scenes.

The title Licorice Pizza is taken from a vintage California record-store chain; Anderson said the words triggered childhood associations and captured the film’s mood.

In a key scene (the waterbed sequence), much of the dialogue was improvised by the actors—e.g. Alana’s answers about her age evolved spontaneously.

The film received three Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay).

Some critics and viewers have noted controversy regarding scenes involving mock Japanese accents in the film, a point of discussion about period authenticity vs. stereotyping.

Ratings & Reception

IMDb Rating: 7.1/10 (based on 152k votes)
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer): 90 % (based on 326 critic reviews)

Why You Should Watch It

Licorice Pizza offers a refreshing, character-driven journey rather than relying on formulaic plot structure—perfect for fans of mood, subtlety, and cinematic style.

The performances of Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman are natural, charming, and compelling, showcasing a new generation of actors.

The film is deeply immersive in its 1970s Los Angeles setting—costume, soundtrack, atmosphere—all contribute to nostalgia without being overbearing.

Anderson’s direction balances humor, tenderness, awkwardness, and poignancy—making ordinary moments feel emotionally rich.

For cinephiles, this is a film that invites multiple viewings: layers of detail, character undertones, and tonal shifts reward deeper attention.

Memorable Quotes

“You’re a goddamn fucking fighter, aren’t ya? I can see that. You come here trying to be all pretty for me.”

“’Soggy Bottom’ sounds like someone shit their pants.”

“I’m cooler than you. Don’t forget it.”

“I don’t need you to tell me whether I’m cool or not, old lady.”

“You don’t even know what’s going on in the world. You think that the world revolves around Gary Valentine…”