Movie #2079 ........................."Licorice Pizza" (movie theatre)

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Movie #2079 "Licorice Pizza" (movie theatre)   -- I am not a huge fan of Paul  Thomas Anderson's directorial works because sometimes the story gets lost in his attempt to go against the norm --- offering  the viewing public something different.    And I feel this is exactly how I felt on this one --- a rambling narrative, but a great reflection of the 70s in the filming (costumes, hairstyling, music, makeup, production design, set decorating, etc.)  The two leads demand your attention --- he less than her mostly because with him, I felt, "what you see is what you get" --- he is young, wears his heart on his sleeve and usually tells you what is on his mind --- her?  not so much at all.  She has to be dragged into most situations -- she's  stoic at times, when you want to know what she is thinking..... and for that reason she is the character that drags the pacing --- pacing is slow here, as if it is underlining the idea that this is really an indie film with two new actors, but supported by a host of famous people imitating somewhat famous people of the times.  example, Sean Penn being a George Hamilton type "actor" (using the word "actor"  loosely ) who cons the girl into doing a stunt on his motorcycle.  Or Bradley Cooper as Jon Peters, Streisand's first hubby, with a 5 minute tutorial on how to pronounce her name correctly.  To be perfectly honest, I came out wondering why most of the scenes in the film were actually in there --- because the film came across to me as a thin romance comedy (and I have seen so many like that) becoming madcap due to the people they come across --- and so the film moved from scene to scene just showcasing the 10 or 15 minutes the two leads shared screen time with these famous people.  The bottom line?  this  was just a film in homage to the 60s ---and like everything in the 70s, the love story was even tainted a bit by the age difference in the leads.  Okay, that being said, the best scene was her driving the truck --- I'm not sure it's worth the money you might spend to see this film, but it was one of  the funniest bits of film  I've seen all year. 

PS --- the last Anderson film I saw "Phantom Thread" has some similaritie  with this one --- romance (very definitely tainted) and of the times --- another period piece.  Maybe he likes atypical  love stories?

"LICORICE PIZZA"        2021                R        2 hours and 13 mins

The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the Fernando Valley, 1973.  

Director:  Paul Thomas Anderson

Writer:  Paul Thomas Anderson

Stars:  Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Maya Rudolph (Anderson's wife)