Ah . . . the American musical. With the exception of Disney’s releases, American musical films had all but died. Sure, we got rehashes of Broadway shows like Mamma Mia and Hairspray, but we’ve seen nothing truly original in many years. I have to admit, it hasn't been a genre that has excited me. That was, until the genius screenwriter and director behind Whiplash came up with this crazy new flick called La La Land, a musical featuring completely original music, telling the sweet story of pursuing one’s dreams in Hollywood. And boy oh boy is it good.
Ah . . . the American musical. With the exception of Disney’s releases, American musical films had all but died. Sure, we got rehashes of Broadway shows like Mamma Mia and Hairspray, but we’ve seen nothing truly original in many years. I have to admit, it hasn't been a genre that has excited me. That was, until the genius screenwriter and director behind Whiplash came up with this crazy new flick called La La Land, a musical featuring completely original music, telling the sweet story of pursuing one’s dreams in Hollywood. And boy oh boy is it good.
La La Land is the story of how two struggling artists -- an actress named Mia (Emma Stone), and a jazz musician named Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) -- come together to make their careers better and fulfill their dreams. When they first meet, they can’t stand each other. But with time, and a number of chance encounters, they wind up together. Throughout the story, they encounter things that test their commitment to their chosen professions. For Mia it’s the endless number of auditions that don't seem to turn into much. And for Sebastian it’s the realization that compromising his musical ideals might be the only way to get in the door. Such moments were hard for me to watch, because I’d begun to care about the two leads early on.
While the story alone is wonderful, the music is what really gives it color. The jazz-infused songs that Stone and Gosling sing and play allow them to showcase their talents. This is really one of the best things about the film, because along with delivering stellar acting performances, Stone and Gosling sing, dance, and play beautifully. They are the exact definition of triple threat.
Along with all of that is a terrific script by screenwriter and director Damian Chazelle, who directs the leads with a light but direct hand. He has stylized this world beautifully, making even those people who might consider LA a place to avoid, see it as rather beautiful and dreamlike. Linus Sandgren, the cinematographer, deserves an Oscar for his lush one-shot takes that swirl us from the freeways that wind around Los Angeles, to the street corners, shops, and lots where Mia and Sebastian spend their lives. The Costumer, Mary Zophres, adds glamour to the story, and it all reminds everyone that stories don’t need to be complicated. A simple story can be told well by employing classic elements.
But most of all, the music is the key. Justin Hurwitz, one of Chazelle’s former classmates, will win the Oscars for Best Song and Best Score. You heard it here first! The music is catchy, but sweet. At times it unfolds with an intentional slowness so that we don’t miss anything. It’s clear that Chazelle and Hurwitz were so in sync; their collaboration produced pure movie magic. La La Land is the story of how two struggling artists -- an actress named Mia (Emma Stone), and a jazz musician named Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) -- come together to make their careers better and fulfill their dreams. When they first meet, they can’t stand each other. But with time, and a number of chance encounters, they wind up together. Throughout the story, they encounter things that test their commitment to their chosen professions. For Mia it’s the endless number of auditions that don't seem to turn into much. And for Sebastian it’s the realization that compromising his musical ideals might be the only way to get in the door. Such moments were hard for me to watch, because I’d begun to care about the two leads early on.
While the story alone is wonderful, the music is what really gives it color. The jazz-infused songs that Stone and Gosling sing and play allow them to showcase their talents. This is really one of the best things about the film, because along with delivering stellar acting performances, Stone and Gosling sing, dance, and play beautifully. They are the exact definition of triple threat.
Along with all of that is a terrific script by screenwriter and director Damian Chazelle, who directs the leads with a light but direct hand. He has stylized this world beautifully, making even those people who might consider LA a place to avoid, see it as rather beautiful and dreamlike. Linus Sandgren, the cinematographer, deserves an Oscar for his lush one-shot takes that swirl us from the freeways that wind around Los Angeles, to the street corners, shops, and lots where Mia and Sebastian spend their lives. The Costumer, Mary Zophres, adds glamour to the story, and it all reminds everyone that stories don’t need to be complicated. A simple story can be told well by employing classic elements.
THE VERDICT
La La Land is a terrific film. Thanks to outstanding performances, memorable music, and great technical additions, it will win loads of prizes, and help usher in a new era of the American film musical. I give La La Land an A+.
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