Licorice Pizza (2021)

Step into 1973 San Fernando Valley and feel the beat of youth as if you’re watching a sunrise over dreamland. In Licorice Pizza, this breezy coming‑of‑age romance captures teenage curiosity with a free‑form storytelling that feels more like a diary than a script. Joaquin Phoenix carries every scene with almost no dialogue, turning silence into a raw emotional language that stays with you long after the credits roll. Yet, as the film drifts into adult consequences, the pacing sometimes feels uneven, turning a hopeful arc into a lull. If you crave wind‑blown humor, nostalgic scenery, and a portrayal of first love that avoids sentimentality, this breezy romantic drama will make you feel as if you were there.