La La LandLove is a shared dream. La La Land is a story of two young lovers in Los Angeles, Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling). Both are looking to realize their respective passions--Mia as an actress, and Sebastian as a jazz enthusiast looking to open his own club. The two cross paths with a fair degree of indifference at first, but become closer after opening up to one another when they reunite at a party. From there the seeds of romance are planted, and as the seasons progress, the two fall in love. But as they each pursue their individual dreams, they must face the possibility that their needs may not be aligned.
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What distinguishes La La Land from many contemporary musicals is the deeply rooted sense of nostalgia--more so, a sense of timeless Hollywood personality, drawing inspiration from the "golden age" of Hollywood; although the musical numbers accent La La Land, they do not dominate it. La La Land opens on a Los Angeles overpass, where a variety of drivers and passengers in gridlock traffic burst forth into song in a bravura, uninterrupted shot of dance and song. This evokes a style that people associate with the glamour and prestige of Hollywood, a kind of "movie magic". The plot of La La Land is actually very traditional. Mia is a coffee shop barista dealing with repeat rejection in her acting auditions, and Sebastian's dreams to own a club seem ordinary, although he is vocal about his passion. If these were the only things these two characters had going for them, the film might not have the same kind of verve as it does which comes from the magical moments of music and cinematic flair that represent their fantasies in the proverbial dream factory of Hollywood. These moments are deliberately staged--like they would be in a movie--but that's really the point. The two of them have a passion for performance, and they are in the realm of possibilities, even if the dream is one of reaching for the stars. The dance numbers may come on at seemingly random points, but they are the equivalent of an internal monologue or a metaphorical expression of the desires of Mia and Sebastian, as it has been since the genre was popularized by the likes of Gene Kelly. The key to enjoying La La Land is to break away from the tyranny of realism, which is another key reason for the opening number--to put it out of your head, and seduce you with the dream of a world like that from the movies. That explains the very super glossy look of the Hollywood party Mia goes to at first, or even the stage performances Sebastian finds himself roped into later on; they are a fantasy. On the other hand, the interactions between Mia and Sebastian themselves are very natural, and their conversations are the kind that a young couple would have, as they discover their motivations to get to where they want to go in life. Scenes like the one in the observatory represent the feeling of burgeoning love, blossoming in their hearts, metaphorically giving them wings.
The romance between Mia and Sebastian and the way it plays out is similar to Gene Kelly's own masterpiece, Singin' in the Rain. Both Mia and Sebastian are rooted in a passion for the past, so the nostalgic feeling that permeates La La Land is fitting. Mia tells Sebastian about how when she was a kid, she watched a bunch of classic films from Hollywood's yesteryear. She even has a large poster of Ingrid Bergman in her apartment, and shares her fondness for Casablanca. Sebastian expounds about the role of jazz in society and fondly talks of his heroes like Miles Davis. La La Land also exists in a kind of anachronistic realm, where Mia and Sara's passion for vintage Hollywood is reflected in their interest in movies like Rebel Without a Cause, and vinyl records, but they have smartphones and Mia drives a Toyota Prius. La La Land manages to deftly tap dance along the line of loving homage without crossing over into parody. The film wistfully evokes the charm of vintage Hollywood virtually without cynicism or deprecation. The effect is more than a superficial throwback to these classics; it evokes the tone and sensibilities of these musical gems in that perfect pitch. The term, "La La Land", is one which describes a state of fantasy, removed from reality. This could apply Mia and Sebastian's deeply rooted passions for the dramatic arts, but really it is more a reflection on their own relationship. Their love affair begins under the auspices of the same kinds of movie magic that exists in some of Hollywood's most beloved classics of yesteryear. As spring moves into summer, the two tap dance their way into joy and blissful ignorance of real-world issues facing them. But as fall comes, and the seasons cool--such as it is in California--they are forced to face the reality that their affair was built on nostalgia, and that they are unprepared to face the challenges of a serious relationship together, torn between obligation and following their dreams. A cutting scene between the two of them over dinner clearly illustrates this point--it is like a bucket of ice water was thrown over the audience, and distinguishes that dreams and reality can walk hand in hand, but to do so requires remaining vigilant for the pitfalls in the path.
Recommended for: Fans of a nostalgic musical romance which wears the comforts of vintage Hollywood films like a classic suit. The dance choreography and direction is sharp and bold, and the chemistry between the talented leads is sincere.
The romance between Mia and Sebastian and the way it plays out is similar to Gene Kelly's own masterpiece, Singin' in the Rain. Both Mia and Sebastian are rooted in a passion for the past, so the nostalgic feeling that permeates La La Land is fitting. Mia tells Sebastian about how when she was a kid, she watched a bunch of classic films from Hollywood's yesteryear. She even has a large poster of Ingrid Bergman in her apartment, and shares her fondness for Casablanca. Sebastian expounds about the role of jazz in society and fondly talks of his heroes like Miles Davis. La La Land also exists in a kind of anachronistic realm, where Mia and Sara's passion for vintage Hollywood is reflected in their interest in movies like Rebel Without a Cause, and vinyl records, but they have smartphones and Mia drives a Toyota Prius. La La Land manages to deftly tap dance along the line of loving homage without crossing over into parody. The film wistfully evokes the charm of vintage Hollywood virtually without cynicism or deprecation. The effect is more than a superficial throwback to these classics; it evokes the tone and sensibilities of these musical gems in that perfect pitch. The term, "La La Land", is one which describes a state of fantasy, removed from reality. This could apply Mia and Sebastian's deeply rooted passions for the dramatic arts, but really it is more a reflection on their own relationship. Their love affair begins under the auspices of the same kinds of movie magic that exists in some of Hollywood's most beloved classics of yesteryear. As spring moves into summer, the two tap dance their way into joy and blissful ignorance of real-world issues facing them. But as fall comes, and the seasons cool--such as it is in California--they are forced to face the reality that their affair was built on nostalgia, and that they are unprepared to face the challenges of a serious relationship together, torn between obligation and following their dreams. A cutting scene between the two of them over dinner clearly illustrates this point--it is like a bucket of ice water was thrown over the audience, and distinguishes that dreams and reality can walk hand in hand, but to do so requires remaining vigilant for the pitfalls in the path.
Recommended for: Fans of a nostalgic musical romance which wears the comforts of vintage Hollywood films like a classic suit. The dance choreography and direction is sharp and bold, and the chemistry between the talented leads is sincere.