Movie review
November 26, 2021 · 133 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The story follows 15-year-old child actor Gary Valentine and 25-year-old photographer’s assistant Alana Kane as they form a friendship, launch small businesses, and navigate first love while growing up in the San Fernando Valley in 1973. It is an episodic coming-of-age comedy-drama centered on youthful hustling, self-discovery, and the awkward transition to adulthood. A subplot shows Alana volunteering for a closeted gay politician’s campaign and witnessing his personal life. Visible LGBTQ+ elements appear in that historical context.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Licorice Pizza.
Woke representation / casting
Natural casting choices that fit the 1973 San Fernando Valley setting.
Woke political dialogue
No explicit activist or ideological dialogue.
Identity-driven story themes
Visible LGBTQ+ representation in a historical subplot about a closeted politician.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Occasional comedic depictions of flawed adult men in a period context.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No backlash claiming the title is too woke or pushes identity politics.
Creator track record context
No relevant prior work is cited.
Production
