The term “Licorice Pizza” has nothing to do with licorice, or with its decidedly less controversial counterpart, pizza. It’s a highly specific reference to a record shop that took its name from a slang term for vinyl records, from a certain time and place, the 1970s in the San Fernando Valley. It’s the home of writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson’s youth and inspiration for his latest masterpiece.
Licorice Pizza is a coming-of-age drama that follows Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) and Alana Kane (Alana Haim) as they navigate the latter stages of childhood and early stages of adulthood, as well as budding young love, in 1973 San Fernando Valley. It’s a simple premise, and one that works splendidly.
For the rest of the review, click here and head over to the Martin City Telegraph.
