Anderson looks back at the L.A. life he lived

Above : Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim star in “Licorice Pizza.” (Photo/MGM)

Of all the filmmakers working today, Paul Thomas Anderson is arguably the most deserving of an Academy Award.

I say “arguably” merely to be kind to those who might disagree. Based on movies such as “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia,” “There Will Be Blood” and “The Master,” Anderson has proven beyond doubt that he belongs among the greats of American filmmaking.

Thomas’ latest release, “Licorice Pizza,” is playing at AMC River Park Square. And while it may not rank with his very best work – another arguable point – it is attracting good reviews. (As of this writing, it is scoring a 92 percent Fresh rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes .)

The film, as Anderson fans already know, is a romanticized set-piece based on his memories of growing up in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. It involves a teen boy (played by Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his relationship with an older woman (played by Alana Haim).

Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Watching ‘Licorice Pizza’ is simultaneously like watching life with all the boring parts cut out and like watching movies with all the phony parts cut out. I can’t even guess how anyone could do both things at once, but Anderson did it.”

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly wrote, “A tender, funny ramble forged in all the hope and absurdity of adolescence, one wild poly-blend rumpus at a time.”

And Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com wrote, “Anderson has harnessed all the thrilling, muscular techniques that are his directing trademarks as well as his affection for high drama as a writer and applied them to telling a story that’s surprisingly sweet.”

Looks like I’m not the only Anderson fan – which comes as no surprise. At least not to me.