La La Land Review

It seems like a long time ago when we were given musicals on a frequent basis but since the 2010’s, it has been quite lacking with any sort of memorable or competently done musical film of any kind.  This is where Damien Chazelle comes in with his latest film called La La Land, a throwback to the great musicals of the 50’s and 60’s as well as the romance classics of the golden age of cinema in the 1930’s and 40’s.  This is one hell of a love letter to musicals that is both conventional with its elaborate music/dance set pieces as well as the typical structure of a romance film but approached and executed with the sensibilities of the real world.  This is a combination that not only works in its favor, but provides a musical that is both magical and compelling heartbreaking to watch as it is celebrates the passion to pursue our dreams but reminds us of what we give to attain those dreams at the cost of being happy or complete as a human being.  So let's get into it and see great this film is for the musical film genre.

Let’s start with our story, set in the present of the wide, lively town of Los Angeles with two vagabond artists coming into town to pursue their dreams with Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) working as a pianist for contemporary music but really for Jazz and Mia (Emma Stone) working hard to become a famous star as an actress.  Their paths cross here and there throughout the city of Angels but it isn’t until one particular theme that would be their overture binds them together either through fate or a feeling but this would serve as a catalyst for their change in life and allow for them to pursue their dreams within tinsel town but at the cost of something more profoundly beautiful and human, love, to make them truly happy.

It is the classic rise to fame/love story but grounded firmly within reality and the harshness of it (which is the inspiration for Chazelle’s screenplay) where this film brings back the beauty and magic of the musical but allows for a real yet tragic romance be the heartbeat of its story as well with the music being shaped around this very idea.  That is the genius behind this story in particular where it honors the conventions of these classic films but finds a way to modernize it for today’s audience by making these characters be more real and human but also extremely flawed and prone to making mistakes in life and pursuing their careers or goals.  It is stunning to see this film really give both sides of its façade equal time to shine as both a magical, mesmerizing musical but also a relatable yet heartbreaking love story that subverts the genre with conviction and confidence in what it wants to convey to the viewers.  Which is why credit must go to the strong, capable script on display here as well as the passionate, creative direction at work here.

Seeing as this is a musical, we should discuss the lead actors first before we get to the elements where the film truly shines in its technical aspects.  The main actor that shines dramatically and in the musical set pieces is Emma Stone as Mia, providing a stellar performance as well as truly showcasing her experience on Broadway here front and center.  That is not to downplay the lively, subdued performance from Ryan Gosling especially with his music background as well along with the exuberantly affectionate chemistry with Emma Stone.  They provide these characters and the story the heartbeat needed to make this love story timely and captivating to see through to the end.  The leads do a great job together and handle their musical numbers exceptionally well in regards to the tightly formed direction and sharp writing for the characters as well as the music on display here.

Every one of the music set pieces is nothing short of brilliant and composed in such visually mesmerizing ways that they deserved to be discussed in regards to the film.  There are a ton of set pieces that are done in either one shot or in a series of tracking long shots that really maintain a level of energy that tends to be missing with modern day musicals.  This also homages a few musical numbers from the past by focusing on the main characters doing a song and dance number that crackles with such love and nostalgia for those classic moments without feeling disingenuous about its intentions.  Each one are not only visually inspired in its composition and framing but are reflective of the characters journey and narrative arcs that really allow for us to relate and eventually understand their actions in the story.  The music is an extension of the character’s conflicts and their growth throughout the story which allows for it to handle the balance between being a romantic drama and whimsical musical so well from the assured, confident direction from Chazelle.

A film can only do so much with its story and sound that the visuals here are just as vibrant and yet naturally composed as the music it showcases in this film.  This is not only a magnificently shot film but composed as well by utilizing so much of the space allotted in each location as well as well as displaying some really snazzy choreographed dance numbers to boot.  You can tell that the director and composer Justin Hurwitz really drew inspiration from the classic musically driven films of the 50’s and 60’s but not just from the states, but from the European scene as well with elements of New Wave cinema present in at least two of the music numbers in this film.  It feels like a blend of the Jazz scene from clubs to bars and the glitzy Hollywood Studio settings but in modern days which really gives character to the place for the purposes of its romance/rise to fame story.  Each music number flows into each other seamlessly without feeling jarring or distracting which is what many musical films tend to suffer from but in here, it is just as much of a character as the lead characters themselves to the story.

After gaining recognition from his love for music in films with Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench as well as Grand Piano and his shot at fame with the short/feature film of Whiplash, his latest film is a summation of what he must have wanted to achieve with being a filmmaker that truly can revitalize a genre singlehandedly with a tremendous amount of passion and effort given to this one in particular.  La La Land is a truly magical yet humanly truthful film of love, fame, ambitions, sacrifices, and regret that expresses all the universal themes that transcends our cultural mindset for a modern time by reminding us of those ideas even if we have forgotten them for some time.  The sparkling performances and chemistry from the leads as well as the wonderfully choreographed and sharply written musical number on display here are nothing short of astounding to watch. This is helped by the exquisite visuals on display here with a great blend of modern/classic costumes, vibrant colors to represent the emotions of the story along with the deliberate lighting methods used here, and the tone of the film feeling nostalgic yet truthful of the reality of their story in LA and the struggle to achieve a dream at the cost of something just as important as our passions in life, love.

SCORE: ***** out of *****

This is a true revival and masterfully made musical romance drama that is both magical and yet grounded in our world with its fantastic, charming performances from Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as well as the sharp, passionate writing/direction from Damien Chazelle as well as the phenomenal original music writing and composition from Justin Hurwitz.  It is also a truly visual film that expresses the magic and harshness of LA without being downtrodden or bleak with its extravagant and minimalist musical numbers.  This is another winner from the director as well as the stars on hand with the composer belting out another finely composed score/music for the film.  This is one film you should dance your way into theaters to check out.