Oscars 2022: Every Best Picture Nominee Ranked

Licorice Pizza is the kind of film Paul Thomas Anderson has mastered throughout his career: Mostly plotless, supported by an ensemble cast of old and new stars alike, it's not so much a single story as it is one big exploration of feeling.

Set in the 70s within the San Fernando Valley, the hilarious, touching coming-of-age drama follows a young student who falls in love with a slightly older woman, after which the pair find themselves thrust into a series of transformative misadventures.

As is typically the case with Anderson's work, Licorice Pizza is rife with pop culture references, sweet musings about life and growing up, and a few supporting players (namely an energised Bradley Cooper) who almost steal focus from the film's stars.

Speaking of which, both Cooper Hoffman (son of frequent Anderson collaborator Philip Seymour) and Alana Haim get their acting careers off to a remarkable start here, capturing the nostalgic heart of soul of Anderson's vision with every twist of its bittersweet journey.