Licorice Pizza
Writer-Director Paul Thomas Anderson's ode to the 1970s Californian teenager, “Licorice Pizza” is the story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and falling in love. The film tracks the treacherous navigation of first love with potentially star-making performances from the fresh-faced leads. It is enjoyable, captivating, chaotic with an eclectic supporting cast of interesting oddballs.
Cooper Hoffman (the son of Philip Seymour Hoffman); a real find as Gary; a 15-year-old go-getter; a sweet kid who hustles parlaying his schemes into reality. When he meets 20 year old Alana, an "older woman", she’s dazzled by his self-assurance but keeps her awe somewhat in check… he wants her to be his girlfriend… she wants to be his business partner.
Accessible screening with open captions. (English with English subtitles)
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn
‘This is heady stuff, an evocation of the San Fernando valley in the early 70s, as personally nostalgic as George Lucas's American Graffiti, albeit with an insanely adventurous edge.’
★★★★★ Mark Kermode, The Observer
‘One can scarcely imagine a more enjoyably chaotic way of welcoming in the new year. What a blast.’
★★★★★ Donald Clarke, The Irish Times
‘With shades of Robert Altman's freewheeling spirit, 'Licorice Pizza' gains momentum as its ambles along, resulting in Anderson's gentlest, most endearing picture to date.’
Tim Grierson, Screen International