la-la land

ˈlälä ˌland/

noun

NORTH AMERICAN informal

noun: la-la land

1. Los Angeles or Hollywood, especially with regard to the lifestyle and attitudes of those living there or associated with it.
   • a fanciful state or dreamworld.

Thanks to my lovely friend Google, we have defined “what is ‘La La Land’?”

Director Damien Chazelle’s cinematic and musical masterpiece encompasses these two very ideas for his 2016 movie musical with the same name. He let’s audiences experience and rediscover the beauty and difficulties of dreams with the usage of cinemascope to regain the wonderment old Hollywood cinema provided.

I’m no movie expert but I consider any movie that I’m willing to watch over and over, timeless. I watched ‘La La Land’ three times in the theaters (all of which I had to drive to other locations besides my hometown since there was limited showings and paid the nice ticket fee) and I know I’ll be watching it more once it comes. It’s that good.

The story itself was simple yet lovely and the performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were absolutely phenomenal. And I’m not just saying that because I’m in love with both of them (more Ryan Gosling; I have socks with his face on them).

If you have no idea what ‘La La Land’ is about, here’s a quick synopsis: Meet two dreamers; Mia (played by Stone) who is an aspiring actress and Sebastian (played by Gosling) a Jazz lover hoping to start his own club Jazz club. Interlaced with memorable music instrumentation by Justin Hurwitz alongside the lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and stellar choreography by ‘Dancing with the Stars’ head choreographer Mandy Moore, Mia and Sebastian’s lives intersect and they must juggle balancing the probabilities of their dreams and the complexities of reality.

Words can’t express how much I love this movie. I’ve never seen a movie with the actual film with this much vibrancy or when the long shots made the audience feel they’re part of the scene and truly feel immersed into the ‘City of Dreams’. Each piece of music, whether sung or instrumental, made your heart feel every emotion. The dance numbers gave me a yearning to learn to dance again/ personally scold myself for quitting dance many years ago.

There’ll obviously be negative opinions on any given subject. The supporting cast had very minor roles but it gave highlighted the main duo more. There was controversy on why Gosling’s character had to be played by a white man when Jazz is more connected to the black community or why Stone’s character had to be white when any person, regardless of color can aspire to act. I’m usually an advocate for all representation in media but this movie’s quality wouldn’t be the same without Gosling and Stone. They have palpable on-screen chemistry that has you believing in love. They have the old Hollywood charm that heightened the entire movie experience. I was in awe of Gosling and Stone. The preparation to learn the music, the dance, and act with such intensity and truth is definitely award worthy. Gosling learning the piano pieces himself makes me love him more. That dedication deserves an Oscar.

This whole production is deserving for every award they are receiving. If you think there’s too much hype behind them, watch the movie yourself and you’ll understand why. I haven’t seen a film like this in ages. It’s refreshing. It makes you feel again. It reminds you to do what you love to do because people are attracted to other’s passions.

So take some time to go out and see ‘La La Land’ and buy the soundtrack and see why I’m so passionate about this cinematic masterpiece.