Licorice Pizza - Movie Reviews (2024)

It is a grand, fun, romantic ride, that I guess will provide even more greatness on rewatch.

Full Review | Feb 24, 2024

Nothing really happens, but the leads are really likable.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 27, 2023

Licorice Pizza is nostalgic and heartfelt, funny, and wise. A change of pace from Anderson’s impressive filmography, yet it is still recognizably his. It may be a minor key compared to some of his other works, but it’s a song that you’ll enjoy playing.

Full Review | Sep 17, 2023

Licorice Pizza offers a collage of many quirky subcultures and larger-than-life characters, some more effective than others.

Full Review | Original Score: 70/100 | Aug 10, 2023

It should be obvious from the name of the film that Anderson is more interested in things in life that clash more than those that connect.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 10, 2023

Their friendship courses through a warm-hearted array of offbeat anecdotes that ultimately strengthen their takes-one-to-know-one bond.

Full Review | Jul 28, 2023

A quintessential movie to see this year & beyond. Light, joyful, sweet, & HILARIOUS. The passion & love that PTA infused into this movie is some of his strongest he has ever done. You aren’t ready for Hoffman & Haim’s performances. Truly PERFECT

Full Review | Jul 26, 2023

Even though Paul Thomas Anderson keeps things real by avoiding glamour shots and reveling in close-ups of imperfect teeth and skin blemishes, he gives us Gary & Alana moments that border on the magical.

Full Review | Jul 25, 2023

It’s impossible not to feel the warmth of how much this movie, and the time, place, and people it represents, means to Anderson. That love, though, does not excuse some of the choices he made.

Full Review | Jul 25, 2023

Paul Thomas Anderson sh*ts the bed of his own movie with a couple of truly horrendous scenes of anti-Asian caricature.Not funny.Deal-breaker.What a waste.

Full Review | Original Score: ZERO STARS | Feb 5, 2023

[Licorice Pizza] has that PTA's prodigious way of filming life and bittersweet comedy in 35mm. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 20, 2022

The plot is spontaneous and sparse. It isn't important. The heart of the film is the tender and bizarre relationship between Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) and Alana Kane (Alana Haim). [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 10/10 | Dec 7, 2022

The entire experience is an energetic and gleefully enjoyable ride that captures time and place beautifully. Yet, themes under the surface arise organically and unexpectedly that give Mr. Anderson’s film depth.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Oct 21, 2022

A madcap, meandering trip to 1970s California, this comedy is full of unexpected action and unforgettable characters, including brief, insane cameos from well-known stars and magnetic, natural performances.

Full Review | Oct 4, 2022

Even though the title conjures a sharp, sour taste, I think people can stare at Licorice Pizza and miss that it says the opposite of what most American films sell. Yet it's all right there, like the "magic eye" hidden image in an autostereogram.

Full Review | Aug 30, 2022

If you don’t agree early on that these two are worth following wherever they wander, maybe the movie isn’t your thing. I was happy to be in their company.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Aug 24, 2022

An easygoing trip down memory lane, full of nostalgic callbacks and needle drops. But for some, their enjoyment may ultimately come down to their ability to overlook the ickiness that simmers underneath the central relationship.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 16, 2022

This invitingly laidback hangout movie is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 12, 2022

... As perversely delicious as its title.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 8, 2022

With a pair of powerhouse performances from newcomers Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim - and another sharp script from Paul Thomas Anderson - "Licorice Pizza" is the kind of movie that reminds you why you fell in love with the film medium in the first place.

Full Review | Original Score: 10/10 | Jul 14, 2022