Year: 2016
Director: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and John Legend
Tagline: Here's to the fools who dream.
Synopsis: Aspiring actress Mia and jazz pianist Sebastian pursue their dreams.
Tagline: Here's to the fools who dream.
Synopsis: Aspiring actress Mia and jazz pianist Sebastian pursue their dreams.
Review
My previous review was of a "let's put on a show!" musical. La La Land on the other hand is the kind of musical where there's a definite story to tell and the characters burst into song and dance because that's where their emotions lead them. The former will entertain the kiddos, the latter is a fantastic movie.
With the exception of a couple of 80s songs during an embarrassing gig (even serious musicians have to pay the rent), the music of La La Land is original. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. Since seeing it, the various songs have been stuck in my head and I don't even mind. "City of Stars" and "Audition" are both haunting melodies that stick with you. And the "A Lovely Night" song and dance number will put a grin on your face. Oh, and the film starts with a musical number set during a traffic jam. Because Los Angeles.
But La La Land is more than a string of song and dance numbers. There's a story to tell. Part of it is a love story between Mia and Sebastian. The other part is a love story between them and their individual dreams. And the bittersweet thing is, those dreams aren't always compatible. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling both give it their all to create believable, passionate, and vulnerable characters. They carry the film with grace and toe-tapping glee.
The film is rated PG-13 for some language. The language isn't excessive, but there is one F-bomb. There is nothing else.
La La Land is a terrific film. It's upbeat and bittersweet, original and breathtaking. I'm not sure it entirely lives up to the hype surrounding it, but it is still a beautiful film worth seeing, especially if you love musicals, and even if you don't.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The epilogue, that's what got to me. Seeing what might have been through Sebastian's eyes and music as he seemingly asks himself, "Could I have had it all?" I don't know if that sequence is what would have been or is simply what he wishes could have been. Near as I can tell, the dream sequence differed from how things actually played out based on choices Sebastian made (it is his fantasy after all). Instead of following success, he follows his heart and Mia.
Even before the sequence, I was wondering why on earth Sebastian didn't go with Mia to France. Dude, they have jazz in France!
As I've thought about La La Land, I think it was trying to pay homage to Casablanca. In one scene, Mia notes a studio lot window that was used in the classic film. That theory certainly fits with the final sequence where two former lovers meet by chance in a club and the piano player (in this instance Sebastian) plays "their" song. The irony is that one of the famous lines from Casablanca is "We'll always have Paris" when in this instance, they could have had Paris.
Also, while it seemed like Mia got all she wanted, it was hard to be happy for her when we know nothing of this "David" fellow she's suddenly married to. Hopefully he is more interesting than Greg (the guy she was dating before Sebastian).
*** Other Spoiler Section ***
Initially, I didn't enjoy La La Land as much as I had hoped to. Part of that is the bittersweet ending. The hopeless romantic in me wanted the fantasy finale to be the real ending. But really, the bittersweet of the film stems from the fact that I am a fool who dreams. I've had many dreams throughout my years, and yes, many of them were Hollywood dreams. At some point, however, every dreamer has to count the costs and make a decision. Some dreams pan out. Some dreams get placed gently, reluctantly, on a shelf. C'est la vie.
With the exception of a couple of 80s songs during an embarrassing gig (even serious musicians have to pay the rent), the music of La La Land is original. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. Since seeing it, the various songs have been stuck in my head and I don't even mind. "City of Stars" and "Audition" are both haunting melodies that stick with you. And the "A Lovely Night" song and dance number will put a grin on your face. Oh, and the film starts with a musical number set during a traffic jam. Because Los Angeles.
But La La Land is more than a string of song and dance numbers. There's a story to tell. Part of it is a love story between Mia and Sebastian. The other part is a love story between them and their individual dreams. And the bittersweet thing is, those dreams aren't always compatible. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling both give it their all to create believable, passionate, and vulnerable characters. They carry the film with grace and toe-tapping glee.
The film is rated PG-13 for some language. The language isn't excessive, but there is one F-bomb. There is nothing else.
La La Land is a terrific film. It's upbeat and bittersweet, original and breathtaking. I'm not sure it entirely lives up to the hype surrounding it, but it is still a beautiful film worth seeing, especially if you love musicals, and even if you don't.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The epilogue, that's what got to me. Seeing what might have been through Sebastian's eyes and music as he seemingly asks himself, "Could I have had it all?" I don't know if that sequence is what would have been or is simply what he wishes could have been. Near as I can tell, the dream sequence differed from how things actually played out based on choices Sebastian made (it is his fantasy after all). Instead of following success, he follows his heart and Mia.
Even before the sequence, I was wondering why on earth Sebastian didn't go with Mia to France. Dude, they have jazz in France!
As I've thought about La La Land, I think it was trying to pay homage to Casablanca. In one scene, Mia notes a studio lot window that was used in the classic film. That theory certainly fits with the final sequence where two former lovers meet by chance in a club and the piano player (in this instance Sebastian) plays "their" song. The irony is that one of the famous lines from Casablanca is "We'll always have Paris" when in this instance, they could have had Paris.
Also, while it seemed like Mia got all she wanted, it was hard to be happy for her when we know nothing of this "David" fellow she's suddenly married to. Hopefully he is more interesting than Greg (the guy she was dating before Sebastian).
*** Other Spoiler Section ***
Initially, I didn't enjoy La La Land as much as I had hoped to. Part of that is the bittersweet ending. The hopeless romantic in me wanted the fantasy finale to be the real ending. But really, the bittersweet of the film stems from the fact that I am a fool who dreams. I've had many dreams throughout my years, and yes, many of them were Hollywood dreams. At some point, however, every dreamer has to count the costs and make a decision. Some dreams pan out. Some dreams get placed gently, reluctantly, on a shelf. C'est la vie.
Quotable Quotes
- "Will you grab my keys?" "What kind?" "It's a Prius." [There are a dozen such keys.] "That doesn't help me." -- Mia and Sebastian
- "City of stars, are you shining just for me? City of stars, there's so much that I can't see." -- Sebastian
- "Here's to the ones who dream, foolish as they may seem. Here's to the hearts that ache. Here's to the mess we make." -- Mia
ISFS
Jennifer, loved your review! I had very similar thoughts about the ending. I always want a "happily ever after". I loved the audition song and have already downloaded many of the songs. Thanks!
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