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Licorice Pizza Blu-ray Review

“Licorice Pizza” is pure hype.

Set in the San Fernando Valley in 1973 (a popular backdrop for Paul Thomas Anderson films), “Licorice Pizza” is a coming-of-age story about the on and off again romance between a 20 photographer assistant named Alana (who later takes on other gigs) and a high school sophomore(Gary) who is a sort of jack of all trades student that does everything from acting to selling waterbeds.

Given that writer/director PTA is one of the best and most unique voices in modern cinema, it’s puzzling as to why “Licorice Pizza” didn’t land with me. This is the definition of a movie I really wanted to like but simply didn’t. I have a feeling it will split audiences as well despite receiving some critical acclaim and Oscar nominations. 

At its core, “Licorice Pizza” is a meandering film that goes in circles (even if that’s the point). It’s clear that this is a nostalgic, detailed, and personal slice of life tale about a time and a place for PTA, but the construction of the story is slight and clunky at best. For a tale about young love, maturity and soul searching, it should be more joyful and affecting. Also, why is this movie 133 minutes long? It’s a 90 minute story at the most.

The script may be lacking, but the performances are top notch. It’s a tough ask for 2 relative newcomers in Alana Haim (of the band HAIM) and Cooper Hoffman (the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son) to lead this movie, but they pull it off with likable chemistry. Bradley Cooper steals the show though as the infamous movie producer Jon Peters.  

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? Beautifully shot on 35mm film, the visual style certainly evokes the 70’s (which is all you can ask for). For the record, there is no 4K release (yet)

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? From the soundtrack to the dialogue, this 5.1 track delivers.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* DVD copy
* Mini-poster
* A 10 ½ minute collection of behind-the-scenes footage and stills.
* “Camera Tests”- 4 minutes of camera tests and alternate takes.
* “The Handman Scene”-A full scene.
* The full Fat Bernie’s Commercial sequence.

May 11, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Alana Haim, Bradley Cooper, Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza Blu-ray Review, Paul Thomas Anderson