Licorice Pizza

The closest we will get to a Paul Thomas Anderson rom-com. An almost perfect love story with two amazing leads in their feature film debut.

Alana Haim was fascinating. She was irresistibly magnetic and charismatic, effortlessly lighting up the screen and drawing our focus. Cooper Hoffman - so like his father - was perfectly cast as the young charming hustler, exuding an equally effortless screen presence. The chemistry between them was electrifying and absolutely worth the ticket price.

The first 2/3 of the film was brilliant, near perfect. It was funny, smoothly paced, sweet and emotional and so worth the journey. However, the third act was meandering and slightly loses focus. Haim’s character suddenly loses her agency and Hoffman’s character devolved to unlikeability. Thankfully, PTA managed to wring it back at the final moments.

Regardless, the film was beautifully shot as usual by PTA himself and Michael Bauman, and excellently scored by Jonny Greenwood. Both of which were surely going to get Oscar nominations. On top of the likely Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and maybe even Best Director; Haim will be a long shot for Best Actress.