If you have not yet seen what many critics are referring to as the greatest film of the year, you had best run over to your nearest theater for a viewing of "La La Land." This musical feature, set in the heart of L.A., provides a relatable, witty, and artistic storyline that will refresh your dreaming soul to chase your aspirations. Though it may take a few moments to adjust to Ryan Gosling as a musical lead, you'll soon find yourself tapping your toes, rooting for the underdogs, in awe of the tale as old as time that still infatuates a crowd. It's cinematic gold.
While "La La Land" gifts the audience with jazzy tunes sure to sneak back into minds long after leaving the theater, there is a strong aspect of the story that truly sticks out to the dreamer's heart.
As is inevitable in stories full of dreams and romance, a reality check occurs, asking the participants to choose: will they go all-in on a career, or will they selflessly sacrifice for the lover that may change their course? Any fan of the rom-com genre will bet their bottom dollar on the latter. That's what life is all about, right? The guy gets the girl and they run off into the sunset. Maybe one of them has sacrificed everything to be with the other, or maybe their fates were picture-perfect, with an ending where both received their dreams, aspirations, and the love of their life. We all hope to have it all. Yet unfortunately, the realist that is living deep inside every dreamer will let out a cry of truth...sometimes you have to choose. You may not be able to feasibly have your star-crossed lover and the job you've been working towards. Sometimes, the city of stars may not place you in that famous plotline. While "La La Land" swept us up in a vibe of fantasy, it fed us a dose of real life.
Society has always given people their priorities. Romantic comedies have "good" endings when the two walk away hand in hand. That's why you love them. That's why you watch the Hallmark Channel, even though you know how the story will end. The movie will end "well." The save-the-dates will have been sent out, and the plot will have unfolded as it should have. It will have a "good" finish.
"La La Land" cuts after the tale's leading man and woman (Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone) share a gaze across a crowded club. Each having worked hard, gaining what their young dreams had asked them to strive for. They'd let each other go, and in turn, went all-in on their top priority. They didn't book a venue, say yes to a dress, or give up everything for their loved one. But they did prioritize their love — their art and their dream — so why is that bad?
It's not bad; it was a good ending. No, they didn't run off into the sunset together. No, they didn't leave their occupations to fall into the other's arms. But their hard work had paid off, and they had gotten what they wanted.
As Emma Stone sings so gracefully in the film: "Here's to the hearts that ache, here's to the mess we make."
Here's to your mess. No matter what you choose, embrace that dream. Even if you choose the less "Hallmark-y" route, you can still have a "good" ending. Never let anyone tell you that your happily ever after is wrong.
