Review of Licorice Pizza (2021) by Rmckay — 26 Feb 2022
As per usual, PT Anderson does not disappoint! I was a bit worried, because I wasn't too fond of his Pynchon adaptation, Inherent Vice. But I love every other PT film, so I of course didn't want to shut the door on it, just because of one stinker.
Phantom Thread was enjoyable, but I wouldn't write home about it. But here with Licorice, PT kicks it back to a feeling of Boogie Nights sans the sex meets Punch Drunk Love, and then twist it into a coming of age piece.
It plays out in vignettes and the passage of time is never fully clarified, to evoke a nostalgic feeling. Like this is all being pulled from Gary Valentine's adult memory and only the important parts stick out, just like how real people remember things.
Great editing and smooth flow to pull off such a feat of nostalgia, with great YA performances all around, and some great but not contrived cameos! Loved it. One of the best of the year, and one of the best coming of age stories of the decade.
PT nailed it once more.
This review of Licorice Pizza (2021) was written by Rmckay on 26 Feb 2022.
Licorice Pizza has generally received positive reviews.
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