La La Land Review
PG13: Some Language
Summit Entertainment
2 Hrs and 8 Minutes
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, J. K. Simmons, Tom Everett Scott, Callie Hernandez
REVIEW: Damien Chazelle's love for musicals came out again. For anyone who doesn’t know, before Whiplash, Chazelle’s first film ever was, in fact, a traditional MGM type musical named Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench which had nonprofessional actors and nothing but original music scored by Justin Hurwitz and original lyrics written by Chazelle. But read the synopsis:
After connecting with the shy Madeline, a jazz trumpeter embarks on a quest for a more gregarious paramour, but through a series of twists and turns punctuated by an original score, the two lovers seem destined to be together.
Oh yeah, his first film was 25%of the plot of La La Land before he even made it.
Mia, an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian, a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.
THE GOOD: I envision after the release of Whiplash, Chazelle had an original broadway musical screenplay and attempted to give it to major theater owners. And in return, they said, “we know how much you were successful with Whiplash, but you better rush or drag this somewhere else.” And Chazelle replying, “screw you guys I’m going to make a movie out of this,” only for it to be one of the most originally authentic musicals released since Disney’s Newsies. You know how there are separate categories in the Golden Globes for Best [insert category here] in a Comedy or Musical, yet nobody submits any musical films and some dramas are considered comedy for some reason? Well Damian Chazelle dropped the mic with a film surely to sweep the Best Comedy or Musical category for the Golden Globes of the next year.
With La La Land you have another traditionally MGM musical that homages the dominant musical era of Gene Kelly. The film’s musical styling and dancing sequences combine nearly every Gene Kelly film varying from Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris, and Anchors Aweigh by bringing it to our 21st-century modern day era with a narrative similar to 500 Days of Summer. While doing it it isn’t in your face about it and when it is it has a strong statement to say of musicians of today wanting to live in the past when the future is always changing. The film has an ideology for music that feels that arguably applies to film. It states the cooperate issues in the industry that affects the people that work in it in order to capture the idea of “The American Dream.”
From the opening number, you’re engaged in this colorfully vibrant musical with upbeat numbers that get into your head. Chazelle has this direction of where he has his characters in these settings that are taken to its advantage. With every set piece, there is a new musical or dancing sequence around the corner waiting to astonish you. The music in the film is outstanding with original tracks that are catchy and sweet with a jazzy soul and melody. Justin Hurwitz brings a magnificent score that will not only put him on the map outside his buddy Chazelle's films but also earn him an Academy Award for Best Original Score nomination.
As much it is Chazelle’s direction that powers the film, it is the chemistry of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone that ties it all together. These two have been each other’s love interests in 3 movies now where one’s performance brings out the best in the other. They have so much chemistry that even Chazelle subtly makes a joke of it in the film. If they keep this up they are going to become a much more iconic duo than Johnny Depp and Helena Boham Carter. I am convinced that you can put them in any movie and most likely it’ll work. If Disney decides to make a live action adaption of any given animated film like Zootopia, cast them as the leads, and it’ll work. Their bond is the definition of the word “cute.” They display the genuine emotion of affection that is believable. No scenes sexual innuendos or intercourse to manipulate your believability of their love because their songs and dance sequences are all that is needed to accomplish the heart and emotion.
They have their own signature song that gives them their own Oscar winning performance. With Gosling is City of Stars (which I'm calling the Best Original Song of 2016) and with Emma Stone is Audition (The Fools Who Dream). As much as I love City of Stars, The Fools Who Dream works perfectly with Stone's performance. With that musical performance the visuals has her in the spotlight as she's singing her butt off in the same way Anne Hathaway did in Les Miz. And you know what? That film got her an Oscar for that one song and The Fools Who Dream gives Stone that Oscar winning moment Hathaway had in Les Miz.
THE BAD: The only issue I had was an error that I found. Maybe I’m wrong and would have to see it again but early in the film you see Mia’s phone in a closeup and the date is January 25th. In that same night, she goes to a club where Sebastian is playing and it’s Christmas all around. He even plays Christmas music yet Mia’s phone says January 25th opposed to December 25th. Other than that this film is two nonstop hours of pure joy.
LAST STATEMENT: With amazing visuals and outstanding performances from Stone and Gosling, Damian Chazelle’s La La Land isn’t only a musical that homages traditional ones of the past but also has the longevity to last a lifetime.
Rating: 5/5 | 97%
Super Scene: City of Stars Final Montage
