“Licorice Pizza” Film Review

By Quinn Marcus

This will likely be my last full-length review of the year, and wow, what a year for movies it has been. Alright, maybe it’s because everything that was supposed to come out last year came out this year, but I’ve reviewed three movies that I’ve given a perfect score, and I’m happy to say that Licorice Pizza will be my fourth. Ever since the trailer premiered earlier this year, PTAs Licorice Pizza (such a fittingly weird name) has been one of my most anticipated of 2021, and back in November when I discovered it didn’t open nationwide until late December, I got so mad, but we finally made it, and the film did not disappoint. We got tickets last week to watch it in gorgeous 70mm film, and we (my dad, brother, and I) had a whole plan for it: we’d show up, and buy licorice and pizza to eat during the movie. Unfortunately, reality doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. We arrived 10 minutes before the movie was to begin, and there was a massive line, not just to get food, but almost around the block. Yes, we had to cut the food and head straight to our seats. Dang it, I was going to post on my Insta story: “who else can say they ate licorice and pizza at Licorice Pizza?” Welp, one thing led to another, and I had to sacrifice the chance of posting a quirky one-liner as the start of this review. Oh well. Anyway, I’ll try not to get sidetracked anymore. Here are my thoughts on PTAs latest masterpiece.

Let me start by saying that there is no, and there never will be another director as incredible as PTA. His legacy as one of the greatest and most versatile filmmakers working today continues to remain unmatched. I’ve seen five of his movies now and have equally adored all of them, but Licorice Pizza was definitely a change of pace for the filmmaker, shifting from the intense, daring romantic drama from a few years back, Phantom Thread, to a surprisingly comforting film propelled by feeling rather than story. Imagine Almost Famous meets Punch Drunk Love, and you get Licorice Pizza. It's easily PTAs funniest film to date, boasting a magnificent screenplay and a series of hilarious characters. Seriously, every single person in this movie has a story, a personality, or some little characteristic about them that makes them stand out, and yet, despite the monumental commitment needed to satisfyingly culminate all of this ambition into PTAs elated, surreal, but ultimately mature exploration of love and rejection, it manages to flow seamlessly, nothing felt like extra baggage.

There’s so much going on within Licorice Pizza’s narrative, a lot of which may come across as utter nonsense to some. At one point, Gary, a 15-year-old teen actor starts a water bed business, but I wouldn’t go into this movie or any PTA film frankly looking for a linear, streamlined plot. This isn’t a typically structured film, and I could see that as being a problem for some. For me, I saw how much more the film relies on emotion than conventional storytelling, but I just wanted to let you know what to expect. One thing I found interesting was how PTA handles the central romance, establishing it as something that can never be, but through certain imagery and editing used, it's as if they can't be kept apart. PTA often returns to Gary and Alana running towards each other, occasionally in the same frame, but often in different locations, and it’s breathtaking to witness, especially since the editing and visuals were so immaculate. The instant connection these two characters undergo isn't explicit or cliched, their dialogue was naturalism at its finest, they’re never really considered to be boyfriend and girlfriend throughout the film, but the moments where their love for each other does break free feel earned and cathartic. Yes, their age gap was a risk, but one PTA managed to handle, flawlessly, vividly depicting an awkward moment of affection between these two in an innocent, dreamlike manner.

Everyone in the cast does an excellent job (Bradley Cooper better get a damn Oscar nom for his perfect, insane 10mins of screen time), Cooper Hoffman is a joy in his feature debut, but Alana Haim was a force of nature in this movie, and the chemistry between the two was wonderful. Both performances were just so real, comedically, and emotionally resonant without a single moment that doesn't click. Jonny Greenwood is on fire, after composing the soundtracks for both Spencer (my fav of the year), and The Power of the Dog. He’s been having a great year, and the musical score in Licorice Pizza was just another aspect of this movie to love. It’s accompanied by hit songs from the 70s that are just constant enough to not become too much of a crutch for the film’s tonality, something I always worry about when a film features an abundance of songs in its soundtrack. May I also mention that PTA has shown himself to be an extremely talented cinematographer as well, having also filmed the beautiful-looking Phantom Thread, and Licorice Pizza's colorful, brightly lit aesthetic was completely reminiscent of Punch Drunk Love and added to the film’s rather uplifting, yet slightly mysterious atmosphere.

Furthermore, this might be the best theater experience I’ve ever had, the audience was having a blast, and it almost felt like we were all going on an adventure together. Ever since COVID began, I’ve forgotten what the cinematic experience has the potential to be, everything from finding your seats to hearing other people's laughs, cheers, and reactions outside the theater door, it's magical, and this screening of Licorice Pizza brought back that to my heart. This film is a reminder for me that cinema is still pushing for greatness and has reaffirmed PTAs position as one of my fav directors of all time, I'm so grateful that this movie got made, and I hope to see it again. Well, I think that just about concludes this year for reviewing movies, if you are reading this, thank you for taking the time, and I’ll be back for the next one.