Alana Haim on why there's so much running in Licorice Pizza
The Haim member is having a breakout moment as the star of Paul Thomas Anderson's new film

Alana Haim is having her moment in the sun. The youngest member of sister rock act Haim, Alana Haim also makes her big screen debut in Paul Thomas Anderson’s new movie Licorice Pizza. It’s a big swing from stage to screen, but Haim’s Licorice character really isn’t all that different from Haim herself.
We talked to Haim about her foray into the movies, what it was like to have the whole Haim fam on set, and why there’s so, so much running in the movie.
The A.V. Club: This movie is a big undertaking for you. This is your first starring role, and you’re on a massive poster on top of the movie theater here in L.A.. Was there ever a point at which you were like, “Can I do this?” Was there ever a hint of doubt in your mind?
Alana Haim: 100 percent. I think it would be crazy if I didn’t have doubts that I could do this.
I mean, Paul [Thomas Anderson] is such an incredible director and has made such incredible movies and carrying on his legacy as one of the leads in his movies, I mean, every day I would ask him, “Are you sure? Are you sure?”.
The thing that was great about Paul is that he honestly, from the jump, never had any doubts about me. I had a million doubts and he had zero. He really knew I could do it. Having his support was everything to me and it made me feel like I could do it.
AVC: Your parents and your sisters are in the movie. Did it help or hurt to have them on set?
AH: It helped. It was so fun having my parents there, and I think that my parents are the funniest people on this planet. There’s just never been a camera on them to film how hilarious they are. So now that everyone can see how funny my dad is, it’s the biggest gift for me because I have been my dad’s biggest fan and he’s been making me laugh since birth. So I loved having them with me.