For those musical haters out there and those readers that claim La La Land is overrated with all the press its gotten after its 7 Golden Globe wins, I can safely say it is in no means praised too highly. From the minute I sat down with my jumbo popcorn I was entirely mesmerized by this film. When the credits rolled I felt compelled to stay in the theater if just to listen to the film's most prevalent song "City of Stars" one last time, and only left because I had held off going to the bathroom for the last 20 minutes so as not to miss a minute of the movie. Just hours after spending $15 to see a film I could no doubt have seen some other way, I feel the need to share my experience and the profound effect this movie has had on the way I previously thought a movie is "supposed" to be.
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling may not have the strongest or most unique voices, but their on-screen chemistry made it hard to look away. They transitioned from song to dialogue effortlessly and the fact that their songs and dancing skills were not perfectly polished gave the film an even more authentic quality. It was refreshing to watch characters so relatable in their endeavors to find love and pursue the things they are most passionate about with money coming second. Maybe it is the writer in me that finds this so admirable, but it was encouraging to see a movie that portrays the pursuing of one's dreams as both romantic and attainable.
Given this last statement, I feel I must mention my favorite quote of the entire film. Early on, Ryan Gosling's character Sebastian is hit with the reality of his failed attempts to open his very own jazz club, by his more rational sister. In defense of his endeavors, he says to her "You say romantic like it's a bad word!" This quote resonated with me because it seems that so often romantic is a "bad word." It is so often more commendable to pursue a passion, if it will serve as a sufficient method of making money then to delve into the world of writing, acting, music, etc. The notion of actually succeeding in these industries is romantic, but that is what makes them so special.
The most amazing part of the film was the way director Damien Chazelle combined old Hollywood with the modern-day film industry to show how necessary it is that we appreciate art and the many forms it takes. He combined the beauty of both these periods to create a colorful, dreamlike world, in which, hard work and borderline obsession will bring the ultimate success and acknowledgement so many of us crave. Though the ending left me heartbroken in one respect, the artistic achievements of both Sebastian and Mia trumped my feelings for the outcome of their relationship.
It is difficult to find one thing to complain about in this film, though I admit I may be blinded by how much I enjoyed this musical and its unique transition from scene to scene. I hope that this will inspire the creation of similar works to compete with the endless list of superhero movies and yet another sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean.
Image: 1