Paying tribute to love, following your wildest dreams, and the lush and colorful city of Los Angeles, “La La Land” is an energetic musical/romance that may or may not have you humming silly tunes, tapping your shoes on the ground in dance, or sweeping the first lady (or gentleman) in sight off their feet after leaving the theater. Directed by Damien Chazelle, who also directed “Whiplash” (my favorite film of 2014), this bittersweet tale feels masterfully orchestrated and choreographed, evident by the very first scene—a flash mob taking place in a busy L.A. traffic jam. I say bittersweet though, because the film’s beauty comes from its relentless push for pursuing your dreams, but it’s setting is a more realistic world—one where not all ambitions pan out as perfectly as we’d wish.
After the grandiose opener, we meet Mia (Emma Stone), the down-on-her-luck barista whose dedication to becoming Hollywood’s next star has her spread thin between auditions, facing harsh rejection, and spilling coffee(s) on herself. Her inevitable counterpart, whom she runs into a bit too much to call it a coincidence, is Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a pianist with an undying love for jazz. Their relationship begins playfully, poking fun at each other and exposing flaws, but we all know where this is headed.
The next notable scene is set with a gorgeous view over the Hollywood Hills, one which pairs our two lovers up for a duet in both song and dance. And while neither Gosling nor Stone is a professional singer or dancer, their dedication and fluidity in every move and note seem more effortless than it should. In fact, the imperfections are what add (in my opinion) so much more character to their roles. Not to mention, Gosling learned how to play piano just for this film; another notch in his awesome belt. And even if cheesy musical numbers aren’t your thing, one can and should appreciate the level of detail put into them. Really, it’s hard to imagine how some of these scenes were even possible, but then you remember who’s in front of and behind the camera, and then it makes sense again.
The two fall in love, devoted to each other and their passions, a type of chemistry that feels genuine and uplifting. Both Gosling and Stone, in and out of their roles, are overflowing with charisma, charm and good looks. As the centerpiece to this musical, they are what make it so memorable. But their "starsmanship" is not limited to light-hearted song/dance romance. They also show us what it’s like when our dreams don’t materialize. They do such a great job that I felt like I was living vicariously through them. Stone is phenomenal from start to finish, and the talent in this movie alone is enough to dominate the Academy Awards.
There’s more dancing and singing, more puppy love, and more heartbreak to be found inside of “La La Land,” but it’s really a movie that’s better seen, rather than talked about. It’s reminiscent of an era in Hollywood that’s dying (or arguably, already dead), much like jazz, but the film serves as a stark reminder that art lives, and this is a great piece of it. Sure, it is flawed and corny at times, but I kind of just shrugged my shoulders at it because it’s inspiring, beautiful\ and entertaining. This movie is certainly not limited to the date-night flick, but if you can find yourself a cute girl (or boy) to take, or you just want a good escape from these hard times, this movie's the one you want to see.
I give "La La Land" an 8.5/10.
