Deep Dish Cut Into "Licorice Pizza"
The coming of age R-rated comedy-drama film set in the heart of the San Fernando Valley in 1973, follows a pair of teenagers, Gary Valentine and Alana Kane, growing closer and falling in love as chaotic events unfold while Gary flourishes as a child actor in Hollywood. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Illustration by Naomi Ruiz | The Corsair
A young woman named Alana Kane (played by Alana Haim) with mousy hair falls in love with Gary Valentine (played by Cooper Hoffman), a teen actor on the silver screen, in Santa Monica College (SMC) alum Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film “Licorice Pizza.”
Gary and Alana's love-hate relationship begins with a meet-cute on a high school picture day. Gary tries courting Alana with his unique charm as Alana interrogates him to prove why she should give him a chance. Gary, a smooth-talking child actor without much luck, keeps himself busy with other endeavors in ‘73. Alana finds herself strangely drawn to him and helps him with work. Both characters, unsure of their own futures, look for the best direction suited for them. Possessive Alana and overbearing Gary find each other’s personalities at odds, but they always come together again like a pendulum.
At a Friday, Nov. 19 press conference for “Licorice Pizza,” writer-director Anderson compared the story to a screwball comedy, like films back in the 1930s. He cited Hollywood producer Gary Goetzman, a former child actor, as inspiration for character Gary Valentine.
Anderson shared that Haim and Hoffman, newcomers to acting, performed well among industry veterans such as co-actor Bradley Cooper. Both leads pulled off captivating performances by honing their craft, knowing their lines, comfortability with each other, and concentrating over the 65 days of shooting.
Anderson explained that Alana’s real-life relatives portray her family in “Licorice Pizza,” The rest of her sisters in band HAIM, Danielle and Este, and parents Donna and Moti all use their real first names in the film.
As an SMC alum, Anderson developed his creativity in years he spent at the school. “Santa Monica College saved my life. I was introduced to two of my favorite films at Santa Monica College,” he said. “I don’t remember the professor’s name, but I saw ‘Out of the Past’ and ‘Sweet Smell of Success.’”
Anderson shared how, at eighteen years old, he applied for film school but got rejected, and had no clue on what to do with his life. He enrolled at SMC, and found his creative direction as he worked simultaneously. It was the right place for him, after graduating high school, and helped him find footing in life outside protection of his parents.
Anderson explained he simply recreates settings from his past and uses what is still available today. “Licorice Pizza” is set in his home, the San Fernando Valley, because he cares about the location. “It’s with great pleasure that I get to write a film like this, and then go find the location,” he said. “Either I wrote around a location that I know exists, or I've written to my memory.”
In “Licorice Pizza,” it is refreshing to see two inexperienced leads, Haim and Hoffman, pull off such emotional, charming, and hilarious performances in a natural way that compels audiences. The film satisfyingly depicts the trials and tribulations of young love.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) releases the film in limited run for Los Angeles and New York City on Nov. 26, then nationwide on Christmas Day.
