Based on what I’ve heard so far of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” its accessibility might be an issue for Oscar voters, but the film itself is very much ingrained in its own freewheeling world.
I wouldn’t expect anything else from PTA, to kind of go by his own artistic free will and not adhere to the mainstream. A Linklater hangout movie vibe seems to emanate within the whole thing. It’s 133 minutes of non-linear narrative, episodes come and go, so do many of the supporting characters who seem to be all cameos.
The thick of the plot revolves around the two lovebirds at the Center of the film. She (Alana Haim) likes Him (Cooper Hoffman), but to coitus or not to coitus seems to be at the center of the drama … until that dilemma entirely disappears from the plot in the second half and PTA pulls the rug under his audience and turns the film into an indescribable mix of odd vignettes.
The works Richard Linklater keep being mentioned, especially his ode to ‘80s hangouts “Everybody Wants Some.” It does sound like the film is filled with personal details of PTA’s own upbringing in the San Fernando Valley, which would easily make this his most personal and heartfelt film.