Licorice Pizza (2021)

Last updated:
September 2, 2025

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza (2021) is a nostalgic, coming-of-age dramedy set in 1970s San Fernando Valley. It blends romance, humor, and slice-of-life storytelling, showcasing the restlessness of youth and the uncertainty of love. Let’s dive into the details.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Meet Gary and Alana

Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman), a confident and ambitious 15-year-old actor and hustler, meets Alana Kane (Alana Haim), a 25-year-old photography assistant, on his school’s picture day. Despite the age difference, Gary is instantly smitten and begins to pursue her relentlessly. Alana, skeptical but intrigued, starts tagging along with Gary in his hustles.

Business Ventures and Bonds

Gary, ever the entrepreneur, starts a waterbed business called “Soggy Bottom.” Alana becomes part of this venture, though she maintains that she is not romantically involved with him. Their chemistry, however, is undeniable. They weave in and out of each other’s lives, with Alana sometimes acting like an older sister and other times like a jealous lover.

Hollywood Encounters

The movie paints a tapestry of 1970s Hollywood through eccentric side characters. They encounter actor Jack Holden (Sean Penn, loosely inspired by William Holden) in a drunken motorcycle stunt scene. They also cross paths with Jon Peters (Bradley Cooper), a volatile Hollywood producer who becomes one of the movie’s most outrageous and memorable figures when Gary and his friends attempt to deliver a waterbed to his house.

Political Dreams

Alana, trying to find purpose, briefly joins a political campaign for Joel Wachs (Benny Safdie). She begins to see Gary’s immaturity more clearly, especially when compared to adult responsibilities. But Wachs’ hidden personal struggles and hypocrisies eventually disillusion her.

Confusion, Jealousy, and Connection

Throughout the film, Gary and Alana drift apart and reconnect, their relationship fueled by jealousy, attraction, and a shared hunger for something more. Their age gap is a constant unspoken tension, but Anderson treats their story as a portrait of longing and emotional instability rather than a conventional romance.

Movie Ending

The film culminates in a sequence where both Gary and Alana run—literally—through the Valley streets to find each other. After Alana leaves the political world, she realizes she doesn’t want to chase maturity at the cost of joy. Gary, after yet another hustle, realizes he doesn’t want to play games anymore. They finally meet in front of a movie theater, breathless from running, and kiss passionately.

The movie ends with them walking hand in hand, introducing themselves to strangers as “Mr. and Mrs. Valentine.” It’s a symbolic, whimsical finale, cementing their union—not in legal or traditional terms, but in youthful, reckless commitment. The ending doesn’t resolve their age gap or future; instead, it encapsulates the fleeting, intoxicating feeling of first love and possibility.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Licorice Pizza does not feature a post-credits scene. Once the credits roll, the story is complete.

Type of Movie

The film is a romantic dramedy mixed with coming-of-age storytelling. It’s also a period piece, drenched in 1970s California vibes, equal parts nostalgic and eccentric.

Cast

Alana Haim as Alana Kane
Cooper Hoffman as Gary Valentine
Sean Penn as Jack Holden
Bradley Cooper as Jon Peters
Benny Safdie as Joel Wachs
Skyler Gisondo as Lance
Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Momma Kane

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was created by Jonny Greenwood, Anderson’s longtime collaborator. The soundtrack also features iconic 1970s tracks, including David Bowie, Paul McCartney & Wings, and Nina Simone. Music is central to the film’s atmosphere, grounding it in its era.

Filming Locations

Shot entirely in the San Fernando Valley, California—Anderson’s own hometown—the locations are essential to the film’s identity. The Valley is portrayed not just as a backdrop but as a character itself, reflecting the energy, boredom, and ambition of its residents in the 1970s.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay.
BAFTA nomination for Best Screenplay and Best Actress (Alana Haim).
Featured on many critics’ “Top 10 of the Year” lists, praised for its performances and tone.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Paul Thomas Anderson wrote the film inspired by his own memories of the Valley and stories from producer Gary Goetzman’s youth.
Alana Haim and her real-life sisters (members of the band Haim) play Alana’s family. Anderson has directed many of Haim’s music videos.
Cooper Hoffman is the son of late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, a frequent Anderson collaborator.
Bradley Cooper improvised much of his Jon Peters performance, making it even more chaotic.

Inspirations and References

The film is partly inspired by Gary Goetzman’s teenage life, who once sold waterbeds and later became a film producer.
Anderson also referenced the comic chaos of Robert Altman films and the freewheeling storytelling of 1970s cinema.
Real-life Hollywood figures (Jon Peters, Joel Wachs) are woven into the fictional narrative.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Anderson has not revealed any alternate endings. Deleted material mainly consisted of extended improvisations and side characters, trimmed to maintain narrative focus.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not adapted from a book but rather an original screenplay. It borrows anecdotes and personalities from real Hollywood stories but blends them into a fictional love story.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Gary’s chaotic waterbed delivery to Jon Peters’ mansion.
Jack Holden drunkenly riding a motorcycle across a golf course.
Alana falling off the back of a truck while helping with deliveries.
The final running sequence leading to the kiss.

Iconic Quotes

Gary: “I’m not going to forget you. Just like you’re not going to forget me.”
Alana: “Do you think it’s weird I hang out with Gary and his friends all the time?”
Jon Peters: “Do you know who my girlfriend is? Barbra Streisand!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The name “Soggy Bottom” references an actual waterbed business from the 1970s.
Anderson cast several non-actors and locals from the Valley to give the film authenticity.
The film title, Licorice Pizza, comes from a 1970s California record store chain.

Trivia

The runtime is 133 minutes, making it one of Anderson’s leaner films.
Anderson’s own children appear in minor roles.
Many cameos by Anderson’s crew and friends are sprinkled throughout.

Why Watch?

Because it’s a love letter to youth, ambition, and California in the 1970s. The film captures both the absurdity and magic of growing up, while offering unforgettable performances from two newcomers (Haim and Hoffman) alongside wild cameos by big stars.

Licorice Pizza (2021)