Much akin to pineapple on pizza, Licorice Pizza sounds bizarre and confusing until you take a bite.

Licorice Pizza is the latest feature from multi-Academy Award nominated writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson ,whose zany and charismatic films stray from the norm and exist in a sphere of their own. Licorice Pizza is not a by-the-books film by any stretch of the imagination, following the blossoming friendship of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine (newcomer stars, Alana Haim from the hit band HAIM, and Cooper Ho,ffman, the son of late PTA regular Phillip Seymour Hoffman), two coming-of-age kids searching every nook and cranny for a potential future in 1970’s San Fernando Valley.

From waterbeds to pinball machines to Barbara Streisand’s maniac boyfriend, Andersons screenplay and direction are superb. Anderson handles the dubious runtime with finesse and keeps the audiences guessing what on earth could possibly happen next. Aside from some questionable stereotypes played for laughs, Anderson has gifted us a truly brilliant and exceptionally unique film.

Alana Haim is a star in the making, flaunting her acting chops in a role that could be cringe-worthy if played incorrectly, likewise Cooper Hoffman shares the screen in the admirable footsteps of his father. Famous faces, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Maya Rudolph, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie and more fill the screen with their immaculate stage-presence. Anderson gets a great performance from every single one of his actors, and gives them all a moment to shine.

First time cinematographer (long time camera department member) Michael Bauman and Anderson share the lens and make every frame of Licorice Pizza a painting. A gorgeous film that’s gorgeous to watch, not to mention a killer soundtrack composed of 70’s sleeper hits and Johnny Greenwood (The Power of the Dog, You Were Never Really Here) originals.

Licorice Pizza is an absolute triumph, one of those rare, borderline perfect films. Filled to the brim with memorable performances, hilarity and an over-arching sense of kindness, Licorice Pizza is one of 2021’s best films and I’m sure it’ll catch a few Oscars.

So, whilst it’s title may sound revolting, I insist you give it a try. You’ll find it rather delicious.

5/5