Licorice Pizza
The story of Gary Valentine and Alana Kane growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $40.0M, earning $33.3M globally (-17% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Licorice Pizza (2021) exhibits strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Paul Thomas Anderson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Gary Valentine, 15-year-old child actor and entrepreneur, confidently works on a high school picture day, flirting and charming everyone around him. He's in his element, hustling and performing.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Alana actually shows up to the dinner Gary invited her to at Tail o' the Cock. Despite insisting this isn't a date and maintaining the age gap is inappropriate, she's drawn into Gary's world and his genuine interest in her.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Alana fully commits to working with Gary in his new waterbed business venture. She quits resisting and actively chooses to be part of his world, becoming his business partner and de facto girlfriend (though unacknowledged)., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Alana dates Lance, an older actor, trying to pursue an "appropriate" adult relationship. At a party, she realizes the emptiness of trying to fit society's expectations. She sees Gary with another girl, crystallizing the painful truth that she's in love with a 15-year-old., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alana discovers Joel Wachs is gay and has been hiding his true self for his political career. She sees what happens when you deny who you are and what you want. Simultaneously, Gary is arrested for minor-in-possession at his girlfriend's party, hitting rock bottom., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Alana bails Gary out of jail. She shows up for him, choosing authenticity over propriety. Gary opens "Fat Bernie's," his pinball palace arcade, a culmination of his entrepreneurial dreams, and invites Alana to the opening., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Licorice Pizza's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Licorice Pizza against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul Thomas Anderson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Licorice Pizza within the drama genre.
Paul Thomas Anderson's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Paul Thomas Anderson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Licorice Pizza represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul Thomas Anderson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Paul Thomas Anderson analyses, see The Master, Boogie Nights and Magnolia.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gary Valentine, 15-year-old child actor and entrepreneur, confidently works on a high school picture day, flirting and charming everyone around him. He's in his element, hustling and performing.
Theme
Gary boldly asks out Alana, a 25-year-old photographer's assistant, telling her "I'm going to take you to dinner." She laughs at the age gap absurdity but is intrigued by his confidence. Theme: the audacity of youth challenging social boundaries.
Worldbuilding
Establishing 1973 San Fernando Valley. Gary's life as a working child actor, his agent, his business ventures. Alana living at home with her Jewish family, directionless at 25. Despite the age difference, she shows up to Gary's dinner invitation.
Disruption
Alana actually shows up to the dinner Gary invited her to at Tail o' the Cock. Despite insisting this isn't a date and maintaining the age gap is inappropriate, she's drawn into Gary's world and his genuine interest in her.
Resistance
Alana debates whether to engage with Gary. She accompanies him to New York for a TV appearance, meets his actor friends, helps with his public relations business. She resists romantic involvement but can't seem to leave, caught between adult expectations and the freedom Gary represents.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Alana fully commits to working with Gary in his new waterbed business venture. She quits resisting and actively chooses to be part of his world, becoming his business partner and de facto girlfriend (though unacknowledged).
Mirror World
The waterbed business flourishes, with Gary and Alana working side-by-side. Their relationship deepens through partnership, showing Alana what it's like to be truly seen and valued, not for conforming to expectations but for being herself.
Premise
The fun of the waterbed business in 1973 San Fernando Valley. Encounters with Jon Peters (Barbra Streisand's boyfriend), navigating the oil crisis, running the business together. Gary and Alana's will-they-won't-they dynamic plays out through jealousy, fights, and undeniable chemistry.
Midpoint
Alana dates Lance, an older actor, trying to pursue an "appropriate" adult relationship. At a party, she realizes the emptiness of trying to fit society's expectations. She sees Gary with another girl, crystallizing the painful truth that she's in love with a 15-year-old.
Opposition
Alana tries to find herself outside of Gary. She works on Joel Wachs' city council campaign, seeks purpose in politics and advocacy. Gary dates his age-appropriate high school girlfriend. They orbit each other, both hurting, both stubborn, the age gap and social pressure keeping them apart.
Collapse
Alana discovers Joel Wachs is gay and has been hiding his true self for his political career. She sees what happens when you deny who you are and what you want. Simultaneously, Gary is arrested for minor-in-possession at his girlfriend's party, hitting rock bottom.
Crisis
Alana processes the revelation that denying your truth leads to emptiness. Gary sits in the police station, separated from Alana. Both realize they've been running from what they actually want out of fear of judgment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Alana bails Gary out of jail. She shows up for him, choosing authenticity over propriety. Gary opens "Fat Bernie's," his pinball palace arcade, a culmination of his entrepreneurial dreams, and invites Alana to the opening.
Synthesis
The night of the arcade opening. Gary and Alana run through the San Fernando Valley, chasing each other, finally honest about their feelings. They stop running from what they want and run toward each other instead.
Transformation
Gary and Alana find each other in the night. They kiss for the first time, finally together, having chosen authenticity and connection over society's rules. Alana has found direction through following her heart; Gary has found real love beyond his hustler persona.