Kewl movielet...

the anise family of liqueurs is an acquired taste. I used to hate it too. I used to hate Gin too. You get older...

I've just encountered mauresque in southern france, that's a pastis with a dash of bitter almond syrup. Quite ladylike.

It is coming back in a big way over here, with a limit on the Wormwood content I believe, but as stated above it was probably overrated at the time when they banned it.