Licorice Pizza: Everything you need to know about the Alana Haim film that critics are already obsessed with

There’s plenty of movie buzz to look forward to right now, from the latest instalment of Downton Abbey to all-female Spy Thriller The 355 – but Licorice Pizza is one new film that’s already being raved about by critics.

The latest offering from acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson the film has an all-star cast, a coming-of-age storyline (of sorts), it’s set in 1970s Los Angeles (complete with epic retro outfits, and hairstyles) – and it’s already set to be a strong contender come awards season.

Licorice Pizza hit select theatres in the US in November 2021, but when will it launch in the UK? Find out everything you need to know about the movie here, from the trailer to the plot, cast and more…

What is Licorice Pizza about?

The film centres around the characters of photography assistant Alana Kane and young actor Gary Valentine – she 25, he 15 – and their mismatched romance.

The synopsis reads: “Licorice Pizza is the story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and falling in love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.”

The film sees both characters navigate their feelings for each other, as well as delving into the world of child acting – it is loosely based on former child actor Gary Goetzman, according to director Paul Thomas Anderson, who is well-known for his work on Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood.

On the age gap between the pair, he told the New York Times: “There’s no line that’s crossed, and there’s nothing but the right intentions. It would surprise me if there was some kind of kerfuffle about it, because there’s not that much there. That’s not the story that we made, in any kind of way. There isn’t a provocative bone in this film’s body.”

Who’s in the cast of Licorice Pizza?

Haim fans, prepare yourselves, because Alana Haim is making her movie debut in the film as Alana Kane – and she’s already winning rave reviews. Cooper Hoffman (son of Philip Seymour Hoffman, a regular collaborator with Paul Thomas Anderson) plays child star Gary Valentine.