Movie Review: Licorice Pizza

 

Licorice Pizza is a inconsistent film in a lot of ways. I think the movie's cinematic style and acting range are the only thing I can say came across in a positive fashion, but everything else in this film feels really jarring and confusing to work through. 

Directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza is a coming of age film based around the on and off romance between 15 year old child actor Gary Valentine (Played by Cooper Hoffman) and 25 year old Alana Kane (Played by Alana Haim). That last statement presents one of the main fundamental problems I have with this film, the age difference is a constant detractor to the ongoing narrative. The film wants you to appreciate the complicated relationship that blooms between these two characters who struggle to admit their feelings for one another, but all throughout I kept thinking about the fact she is flirting and being sexual with a underage kid. The film never tries to acknowledge this major concern and instead treats their romantic relationship as something to be endeared and it made me feel really uncomfortable. Take away the fact they're both of inappropriate ages, we're left with the fact they these two people are genuinely unlikable people. They're both toxic and manipulative people to each other and they constantly brush each other off and get back together throughout the course of the film. It's hard to appreciate the romantic core of the film when there is so much negative baggage behind the development of their relationship. Plus the fact that the entire film drags this hot and cold narrative film out 2 hours and 10 minutes wore me down even more. 

When they weren't being romantic with one another either they were getting involved in sub plots which go absolutely nowhere. There's so many set ups, so many characters who get brought into the mix and the film just decides to abandon them whenever it feels like it and it's so jarring. Why should I as the viewer care about the plights of these characters and the journeys they go on when the film doesn't even want to conclude half of their plights before moving onto the next story? This film is so eager to get back to the relationship between Gary and Alana that it disregards the primary pillars of storytelling to do so. 

The only thing I can really give praise to with the film is the acting and cinematic style and sound behind the film. There's a really strong cast of characters in this film, all played by some credible actors from different eras. These characters all feel distinct and noteworthy in how they are presented in the narrative, and they convey the comedic tone of the film in a really professional way. The way the film is shot and established both thematically and sound-wise is also a really positive note. With it set in the 70's there's a lot of attention to detail with the scenes being presented and the music being used and it does emulate the distinct feel of the summer-time highs of the 70's beautifully.

On the very bare surface this film can be funny as well as visually appealing but the deeper you go the more problems it seems to present. I honestly feel the narrative aspect of the story lacks a strong foundation and is oblivious to it's own problematic set up. I feel if a bit more time was taken to write this story to be about characters of a similar age with more relatable aspects I would have reciprocated the film's intent a lot better. What we're left with however is a film that drags out an uncompelling narrative for 2+ hours with a pair of toxic, immature people with a lot of half-baked sub-plots all throughout.