Paul Thomas Anderson on ‘Licorice Pizza’ and Moviemaking: ‘Anyone Who’s Done This Knows That Confidence Is an Illusion’

My instinct is to say that I’ve gotten more confident, but anyone who’s done this knows that confidence is an illusion. One day’s good work doesn’t mean anything. You’re still at the whim of the gods about how the next day is going to go.

If I was ever going to retire, I certainly wouldn’t tell anybody about it. You just wouldn’t hear from me again. It’s like saying, “I’m not going over to your house tonight.” And you go, “Well, you weren’t invited.” And I say, “I know, but I’m not coming over.”