At 28, I too "feel you, girl." On paper, there's nothing about this movie that I feel like I would ever be inclined to like, but like yourself, I get vibes that I'm very tempted to check out for myself. It's weird, given the subject matter, that there seems to be a feeling of innocence to the story.
love the effort to get outside and around the city for this one! licorice pizza is my favourite of the year for sure. it's hard to parse through pta's filmography and pick a favourite, but i think it'll be rewatched and remembered for decades
This one of the best reviews I’ve seen in a while. I know you’re busy with other things but reviews that don’t just go through the base-level plot are becoming harder to find. I really enjoyed that you jumped into some of the subtext of this film and you helped me understand why I love this film since it’s difficult for me to put into words. More reviews like this please!!
This is a great perspective! I've always loved your videos and I'm glad you've come back and put this effort to talk about the film. To be honest, I agree with your bit about his last four films. He's made a lot of "vibe" films where I like something about the movie but can't quite figure out what he's trying to say or put my finger on the overall narrative; it's a tricky pitch to summarise Licorice Pizza to friends and family when I've told them I've gone to see it. Just as a sidenote, I really like how you've used the Valley locations as part of your video essay (but I am jealous of the weather).
This is one of your best videos ever man. I be gone through your catalogue which has exposed me to so many films I’ve missed, but there was something special about this one. Lots of love poured in this one.
First of all: what an amazing review. To me the movie resonated as a quater-life crisis, and I identified with Alana very much. As to PTA, I have made my peace with not fully getting his movies. In a recent book by Mohamed Sarr, one character says about books: only mediocre ones are about something, a masterpiece is about nothing; yet it has everything. To me this applies to movies as well, in particular PTA movies. So if I hear someone say a movie is about nothing, that means I’m definitely checking it out.
Easily your best video, absolutely lovely concept and great breakdown. Also love how you quote and include what others wrote on a movie and try to be in conversation with the discussion surrounding the movie. Plus, this video immediately makes me want to rewatch Licorice Pizza instantly and I can feel this one rising on my PTA ranking more and more each day. Can't wait for the next ones!
Thanks for this. The movie grew a lot for me after your review, and I also understood some of the sensations I had at first watch. Will be rewatching soon, for sure. Again, thank you for this great review!
Wanted to acknowledge the "price of subtly" comment. I really appreciate that being addressed. I fee like many times, critics in particular, treat movies as if they're supposed to be teaching lessons in morality. With a black & white approach to what's right & wrong, void of any subtly. An example I remember is when "The Wolf of Wall Street" came out & some people said it felt like it was glorifying the main character's exploits. Like, the movie did a great job at letting people figure it out for themselves. It didn't insult the audience by trying to spoon-feed them. Side note, I will also acknowledge that some films did frame bad behavior in a "positive" light. In particular, the kind of stalker/rapey behavior in a lot of '80's coming of age movies. Again, showing the limitations of the times (for lack of a better explanation).
The more I sit with it, the more I love it. It will likely never reach the ultimate duo-highs of Phantom Thread and Punch-Drunk Love for me in my estimation, both being my absolute favourite PTAs, and I think it sits just outside of Boogie Nights hemisphere but... its still so fucking good. Let me roll it, indeed. Third favourite of 2021 (just behind Annette at #2 and The French Dispatch at #1).
I think the whole Japanese thing is a bit more brilliant then people give it regard for, it’s inclusion is meant to mirror Gary and Alana’s relationship, aside from the not so subtle framing of the characters in the scene just like the rascisness of the couple, it directly mirrors Gary and his thoughts and Alana, he gets something out of the relationship that improves his career and profit shine throwing her away when he doesn’t need her, however Gary keeps coming back to Alana unlike the rascist Japanese restaurant owner. It’s just my read on the scene
I keep hearing that this never got romantic, but what about the last minute of the movie? It's literally the only thing holding this back from being a 10/10 for me. It'd been three months and I still don't know how to reconcile it haha
![Movies I Love (and so can you): Children of Men (2006) [*Spoilers*]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9LHePET9FRM/mqdefault.jpg)
At 28, I too "feel you, girl."
On paper, there's nothing about this movie that I feel like I would ever be inclined to like, but like yourself, I get vibes that I'm very tempted to check out for myself. It's weird, given the subject matter, that there seems to be a feeling of innocence to the story.
As someone that lives thousands of miles away from LA, thanks for the tour, and the review
Bro thank you for the geography / history lesson. I’m 3 minutes in and this is shaping up to be your best review ever. 🙌🏾
im actually surprised this review hasn’t blown up… one of my fav pieces of film crit on youtube
love the effort to get outside and around the city for this one! licorice pizza is my favourite of the year for sure. it's hard to parse through pta's filmography and pick a favourite, but i think it'll be rewatched and remembered for decades
It's that time of the year again :D
This one of the best reviews I’ve seen in a while. I know you’re busy with other things but reviews that don’t just go through the base-level plot are becoming harder to find. I really enjoyed that you jumped into some of the subtext of this film and you helped me understand why I love this film since it’s difficult for me to put into words. More reviews like this please!!
This is a great perspective! I've always loved your videos and I'm glad you've come back and put this effort to talk about the film. To be honest, I agree with your bit about his last four films. He's made a lot of "vibe" films where I like something about the movie but can't quite figure out what he's trying to say or put my finger on the overall narrative; it's a tricky pitch to summarise Licorice Pizza to friends and family when I've told them I've gone to see it. Just as a sidenote, I really like how you've used the Valley locations as part of your video essay (but I am jealous of the weather).
Josh this review is incredible both “vibes”-wise and analysis-wise, one of your best which is to say it’s one of THE best on this platform
coming from you, that means a lot bro thank you
This is one of your best videos ever man. I be gone through your catalogue which has exposed me to so many films I’ve missed, but there was something special about this one. Lots of love poured in this one.
First of all: what an amazing review. To me the movie resonated as a quater-life crisis, and I identified with Alana very much.
As to PTA, I have made my peace with not fully getting his movies. In a recent book by Mohamed Sarr, one character says about books: only mediocre ones are about something, a masterpiece is about nothing; yet it has everything. To me this applies to movies as well, in particular PTA movies. So if I hear someone say a movie is about nothing, that means I’m definitely checking it out.
Easily your best video, absolutely lovely concept and great breakdown. Also love how you quote and include what others wrote on a movie and try to be in conversation with the discussion surrounding the movie. Plus, this video immediately makes me want to rewatch Licorice Pizza instantly and I can feel this one rising on my PTA ranking more and more each day. Can't wait for the next ones!
Loved the video. You covered everything so neatly. Watching this made me want to watch it a 3rd time as soon as possible.
Missed you man. Glad to see you’re back!
I love your videos and this might be my favorite of your videos! Keep up the great work 😁
A masterpiece - Lororice Pizza, and this review. As was your West Side Story review. You're so good at this. =)
Thanks for this. The movie grew a lot for me after your review, and I also understood some of the sensations I had at first watch. Will be rewatching soon, for sure. Again, thank you for this great review!
Brilliant video paul tha is for putting time and thought into it.
Another awesome review. Please make more - Oscar season is never enough.
Oh shit, we goin’ on location this year!
Great review man.
God this was such a great review.
I loved Licorice Pizza too! Fantastic analysis. 😍
Also never stop making these
Wanted to acknowledge the "price of subtly" comment. I really appreciate that being addressed. I fee like many times, critics in particular, treat movies as if they're supposed to be teaching lessons in morality. With a black & white approach to what's right & wrong, void of any subtly.
An example I remember is when "The Wolf of Wall Street" came out & some people said it felt like it was glorifying the main character's exploits. Like, the movie did a great job at letting people figure it out for themselves. It didn't insult the audience by trying to spoon-feed them.
Side note, I will also acknowledge that some films did frame bad behavior in a "positive" light. In particular, the kind of stalker/rapey behavior in a lot of '80's coming of age movies. Again, showing the limitations of the times (for lack of a better explanation).
The more I sit with it, the more I love it. It will likely never reach the ultimate duo-highs of Phantom Thread and Punch-Drunk Love for me in my estimation, both being my absolute favourite PTAs, and I think it sits just outside of Boogie Nights hemisphere but... its still so fucking good. Let me roll it, indeed. Third favourite of 2021 (just behind Annette at #2 and The French Dispatch at #1).
That's the great thing about PTA, everyone has a different favorite or ranking entirely, yet everyone's opinion is the correct one.
This guy's smart he should do a movie podcast
nah
great stuff :)
You made me want to watch this.
Hey Josh, please be more active, you don't know how much your channel has meant to me throughout the years.
very happy to hear that, thanks for hanging around all this time
I think the whole Japanese thing is a bit more brilliant then people give it regard for, it’s inclusion is meant to mirror Gary and Alana’s relationship, aside from the not so subtle framing of the characters in the scene just like the rascisness of the couple, it directly mirrors Gary and his thoughts and Alana, he gets something out of the relationship that improves his career and profit shine throwing her away when he doesn’t need her, however Gary keeps coming back to Alana unlike the rascist Japanese restaurant owner. It’s just my read on the scene
Hell yeah
I keep hearing that this never got romantic, but what about the last minute of the movie? It's literally the only thing holding this back from being a 10/10 for me. It'd been three months and I still don't know how to reconcile it haha
What the friendly kiss they have
Maybe ur best work on here
It’s hi am
I thought Phantom Thread was bad but Licorce Pizza is even worse
That's some bad thinking pal
Phantom Thread was just boring and disappointing. inherent vice was really lame too
I want to watch this movie, but ugh WHY did they have to cast such an ugly girl in the lead? She isn't easy on the eyes for a 2 hour movie 😕
Getting real incel vibes from this comment
@@Palletresearch pot meet kettle
@@NeverSaySandwich1 how about YOU meet WOMEN
you are trying way to hard to justify art, you never should have to justify art, if you don't like it great, if you do even better!