Licorice Pizza, the new feature film from Paul Thomas Anderson, is the story of a teenager named Gary Valentine and a young adult named Alana Kane. The two main characters find love and friendship during the year 1973 in California’s San Fernando Valley.
Alana Kane and Gary Valentine fall in love. And it’s as simple as that.
This film acts as a step back in time, a momentary flash of what young adult life looked like at that time. The spectator is positioned as a voyeur, completely immersed in the landscape and the daily life of the characters.
“Alana Kane and Gary Valentine fall in love. And it’s as simple as that”
The charm of the first quest
Gary Valentine, played by Cooper Hoffman, meets Alana Kane, whose role is played by Alana Haim, during his graduation photo shoot. Gary immediately falls in love with the young woman who works for the photo company. Immediately, a chemistry is formed between the two main characters who exchange lines in a captivating camera and acting agreement. The two protagonists play with movement by throwing playful glances over their shoulders as well as moving quickly through the halls of the school. Their movements are fluid and accompanied by the camera which offers the public a magnificent sequence shot. This first scene of the film is fast, poignant; it gives the initial impetus to the feature film and introduces the dynamic that will develop between Gary and Alana. The viewer is immersed from the start of the feature film in Gary’s first quest: to conquer Alana.
between love and friendship
What I take away from the scenario of Licorice Pizza, it is the lightness with which the feelings of love are approached. There is no lack of seriousness here; on the contrary, the emotions are so well acted out by the actors and subtly brought between the lines that the acting on the screen seems almost real. During the viewing, I had the impression of observing a couple of friends living the beginning of their love story.
This staging of the very beginnings of a young love, a first love, which is part of time, acts like a fresh and invigorating wind which can certainly make you want to return to the moments of your first passions. Gary and Alana develop a special affection for each other throughout the film. This composition of emotions and this completely natural sequence make it possible to appreciate even more the credibility of the scenario.
Between dreams and passions
It is in a powerful and unleashed rhythm that the events follow each other throughout the film. Between the entrepreneurial ideas of Gary – who discovered a passion for selling waterbeds or even pinball machines – and the political ambitions of Alana – who got involved in the municipal elections – between their dreams of becoming an actor and professional actress, the hearts of the two protagonists are jostled between reality, possibilities and the unconditional desire to drop the rational and love each other forever. Gary seems more convinced than Alana of their romantic future and tries everything to seduce his best friend. Gary’s conquest then takes a fierce turn that left me breathless. Despite the many obstacles that jostle Gary and Alana’s daily lives, including their ten-year age difference or Alana’s reluctance to date a boy younger than her, a friendship envy unites them.
Surprise upon surprise
Surprising is the perfect word to describe Paul Thomas Anderson’s body of work. The cadence of Licorice Pizza mixes well the humor and the love to create a breath of freshness more than interesting in the cinematographic world. Gone are the mushy movies with kitsch and impossible love stories. If you want to jump into the real, the concrete, this film is for you. You will have only one desire: to bring these two wacky souls together in an unbeatable duo.
“Despite the many obstacles that come to shake up the daily lives of Gary and Alana, among other things their age difference of ten years or even Alana’s reluctance to date a boy younger than her, a friendship to envy them”
The artistic direction makes it possible to greatly appreciate the era of the 70s. With colorful or patterned costumes, combined with a festive atmosphere, the universe in which the characters evolve is in itself a work of art.
Licorice Pizza, it’s light, it’s funny, it’s endearing. Between the political jokes, the twists and turns, the funny appearance of Bradley Cooper, a few bizarre scenes of motorbike stunts and the arrest of Gary, the touches of humor spice up and harmonize the film.
To fall or fall back in love with love itself (or with its own memories), this feature film will satisfy you. The fictional setting is as close to reality as possible: the impregnable game of seduction that binds the protagonists puts forward respect, loyalty, friendship and trust.
In the same edition
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