Movies - TV
Bradley Cooper Might Have Quit Acting If Not For Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza
By JOE ROBERTS
"Licorice Pizza" is notable for introducing audiences to Alana Haim's impressive acting abilities, as well as reflecting a hazy wistfulness for the frequent aimlessness of youth in its cinematic style. It also turns out we have the movie, and director Paul Thomas Anderson, to thank for rescuing Bradley Cooper from the verge of calling it quits on the
whole acting thing.
In a conversation with Mahershala Ali for Variety, Cooper revealed he was ready to focus on a behind-the-camera career before he was asked to do "Licorice Pizza." He said, "The reason that I didn't give up acting is Paul Thomas Anderson. When he called me to maybe be in his movie ... I think I'd open up a door in his movie. I'd do anything."
Cooper simply couldn't refuse, saying, "I can never give up [acting] because I don't want to be somewhere else and ['Licorice Pizza'] is out and I think I didn't try. [Paul Thomas Anderson] has always been a hero." While shooting the movie, Cooper said he "was like a sponge" soaking up everything Anderson could teach him, adding, "I'm not sure I've trusted a director as much as I've trusted Paul."