Interestingly, I don't think I've ever seen a wider disparity between critic rating score (91%) and audience rating score (65%) on Rotten Tomatoes for a film. I echo most of the quoted post, though I can't endorse all of it simply because I couldn't sit through this thing past the first hour. Shapeless, self-indulgent indeed - really reminded me more of a Wes Anderson film (who I absolutely detest) than one by PTA. Having spent a significant portion of my childhood in 70's L.A. between 1969 and 1972 (slightly predating the movie, but not by much) with fond memories of the era, I really had high hopes for at least a fond trip down memory lane, but it was not to be. And actually, I had much the same reaction to Tarantino's depiction of the era in Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, which for me only came alive in the abbreviated interactions with the Manson Family.
I finally saw this film last night and I’ve been eagerly waiting for months. I let Spider-Man and a slew of other big budget movies go by without watching them just waiting to see this film. I of course idolize PTA. my opinion of his latest film licorice pizza is… Boring. Didn’t even hold together as a film or as a picaresque Of a time period. It was just blah. I was watching it on DVD and had to do it in three parts each time I stopped thinking to myself “there’s almost nothing interesting going on in this movie. “ Bradley Cooper was funny But that was about it. Disjointed. With some little weird bits thrown in here and there to try and make it funny. It didn’t really work as a love story. It didn’t really work as a comedy. It didn’t really work as a period piece. and it didn’t really work as a Hollywood story Just a weak script and middling direction. Even the soundtrack failed to get me involved I think we’re supposed to be swept up in the music like we were with boogie nights but the movie was so blasé even the music didn’t help. Odd plots thrown in like the Politician Which added zero to the movie and was haphazardly handled. Honestly I thought the two young leads were OK but nothing special. Alana Haim never lifted Off for me as a character. I didn’t find her unique, or fun, or spunky. Just kind of annoying. I see some critics calling her “wildly charismatic.” I pity their romantic life. Same with Hoffman. He had a cute smile but his grin and his flopping hair Wasn’t anything to carry a movie. Just goes down as one of my big movie disappointments after Prometheus. Paul Thomas Anderson is an amazing Director but I think even semi-cheesy films like “fast Times at Ridgemont high” Felt more involving and more genuine than this overly loose film.
I’m patiently waiting for this to come to streaming for free so I can give it one more go. Should have been on one of the services by now.
Was thinking about it some more...for being a '70s piece it seems strangely sanitized. I understand the problem a modern audience might have in seeing the Gary character be intimate with Alana Haim's character due to the age difference, but it also feels untrue to the cultural milieu of the time, does it not? There's even a reference to Gary's predilection for asking girls for a certain sexual favor, but to think he would discontinue that practice out of some weird respect for Haim, well...doesn't ring true for any teenage guy I've ever known.
Your having to much fun in Thailand methinks to appreciate it. It’s like a little indie b movie. I liked it.Was it better than American Graffiti? No!
Since I got here, my lonely days of posting have dwindled, I admit. Who needs an internet forum with a full card love life? HA! It just didn't have the momentum of his other movies.
The two V‘s lucky fellow, viagra + Seriously the past two years of new movie release’s you haven’t missed much.
Screened it today and LOVED the movie. Really a great film. The leads, Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman were just wonderful.
interesting my wife echoed many of your thoughts...I thought it was serviceable and very light...I find it interestingly disturbing as it was written taking place in the early 70's with a 2021 feel...
Still ranks for me as the most disappointing movie of the year. Ends up not winning at the Oscars and lost its buzz quickly. Had high hopes when it was first released but like others, I thought it meandered way too much.
I've not formally thought about "most disappointing", but yeah... I thought I'd like it a lot more than I did. PTA is a good filmmaker but he has a few films I just don't dig at all. Actually, might only be one film prior to "LP": "Phantom Thread", which I felt came across more as an art project than an actual narrative film. I've liked all PTA's other movies to varying degrees - and it's possible I'll enjoy "LP" more when I see it a 2nd time. Didn't work for me 1st time through, though...
Recently streamed it on demand. I liked it! Bradley Cooper was the highlight, but the leads did pretty well, especially considering it was acting debuts for both of them.
