Licorice Pizza (2021)

Licorice Pizza (2021) — directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson — is a warm, witty coming-of-age comedy-drama set in the sun-drenched San Fernando Valley in 1973. It follows the unlikely, electric relationship between Alana Kane, a sharp, ambitious young woman finding her way, and Gary Valentine, a charming teen entrepreneur with big ideas. Their days are full of small adventures, awkward encounters and impulsive schemes as they navigate friendships, family, and the confusing edges of first love. Watching the film feels like stepping into a vividly realized slice of the 1970s: you’ll get swept up by the period detail, an evocative soundtrack, and playful, often spontaneous scenes that blend humor with a tender emotional core. The performances — notably Alana Haim’s natural, magnetic screen debut and Cooper Hoffman’s charismatic turn — give the story a loose, lived-in energy that’s equal parts funny and bittersweet. Expect to laugh at outrageous set pieces, cringe at uncomfortable moments, and root for two people who mean well but don’t always know what they want. The pacing alternates between kinetic episodes and quieter, reflective beats, so viewers leave with a sense of nostalgia, warmth, and the messy truth about growing up and falling in love.

Actors: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Genres: Comedy, Drama

6.6 /10 90 /100 7.1 /10 7.6 /10