La La Land
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Rated: PG-13
"Bring on the rebels
The ripples from pebbles
The painters and poets and plays
Here's to the fools who dream
Crazy as they may seem
Here's to the hearts that break
Here's to the mess we make."
The best way to sum up La La Land is through it's own beautiful lyrics. It's a profound work of artistic creativity that pays tribute to all of the "painters, poets, and plays" working towards their dreams, despite the peaks and valleys they encounter along the way.
An aspiring actress (Emma Stone) falls in love with a jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) as the two try to follow their dreams in Los Angeles.
Director and screenwriter, Damien Chazelle proves himself a true visionary. La La Land, his follow-up to 2014's Whiplash, is a cinematic dream. (Can we take a second to acknowledge the fact that Chazelle has made Whiplash and La La Land at 31 years old? Let that sink in.)
La La Land is a new classic, taking place in the modern age, yet filled with nods that recall the Golden Age of cinema. There are clear references to An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain present in the film. I was particularly struck by Chazelle's use of vibrant colors in every frame. Eventually these colors seem to symbolize character's feelings and accentuate the mood of the story. This directorial choice feels like a direct homage to one of my favorite musicals, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
Chazelle creates the perfect mise-en-scene in each frame through lighting, color scheme, music, and backdrop. Every aspect compliments the other perfectly. Rarely do I compliment lighting in films, but it is pitch-perfect in La La Land. It's used to convey dramatic moments so brilliantly. It could be a singular spotlight, an intimidating red light, or a backlit green curtain. Every lighting decision puts the audience into the mindset of our characters.
Emma Stone plays Mia, an aspiring actress trying to get her big break. The film illustrates the ups and downs of Hollywood particularly well through her character. Working as a barista and attending as many auditions as possible, she will not give up her dreams in the city of stars. Stone sings, dances, and acts her way through La La Land like a starlet straight out of cinema's Golden Age. Expect an Oscar nomination for her fantastic performance.
Although Mia and Sebastian get off to a rocky start, a memorable dance at sunset sets things right for the pair. The two bond through their creativity. They encourage each other through their respective creative endeavors. It's unique to see a relationship between two struggling artists develop through the seasons. (The story is broken up into the 4 seasons. A clever move as the weather remains unchanged in L.A., but drastic changes take place in Mia and Sebastian's life.) Each season brings a new mood to the two leads as they try to balance unsteady career paths with their relationship.
Let me tell you, my 14-year-old self is so happy right now because people finally understand the magnitude of Ryan Gosling's talent. Gone are the days that I would ask my friends if we could watch Lars and the Real Girl and they would laugh because it "looks too weird." It's not weird. It's a deep movie and he is an excellent actor. Now they know. Now they see. Moving on, Ryan Gosling is wonderful as Sebastian. He has a deep passion for jazz and his dream is to open his own club. It's compelling to see him attempt to find an audience for what he calls "dying music". (It's worth noting that Gosling trained intensely for this role and every scene you see him playing the piano is real. If you see the film you will understand why that's so impressive.) Sebastian consistently encourages Mia to pursue her dreams even when she doubts herself. Gosling balances just the right amount of comedy and drama as Sebastian. He is sure to be nominated for an Oscar after this remarkable performance.
I know musical fans are wondering…are the songs good? They are fantastic. Composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have created lively numbers that tell a story as the film progresses. From the energetic "Someone in the Crowd" to the charming "A Lovely Night" to the hypnotizing "City of Stars", each song encapsulates the feeling of our characters completely. (Don't even get me started on Emma Stone's incredible "Audition") Every song is detailed and rich in composition. Justin Horowitz has created a beautiful orchestral score to match the musical numbers. His "Epilogue" tune is set to one of the most beautiful and bittersweet ending montages I've ever seen.
The cinematography in La La Land is ethereal. Los Angeles becomes a primary character as it comes to life on screen. The Griffith Observatory, Warner Brothers lot, and jazz clubs are vibrantly explored through Linus Sandgren's lens. These are images you won't forget ranging from a beautiful tracking shot at sunset, a surrealist "dancing through the stars" sequence, and an energetic opening number brimming with color.
La La Land is the reason why I love films. It's a love letter to the actress, the musician, the filmmaker, the writer, the dancer. Above all, La La Land is a film for the dreamer. At the risk of sounding cliché, they just don't make movies like this anymore. Don't miss this vibrant piece of cinematic art.
My Rating: 10/10