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'La La Land' - Here's to the fools that dream - ***** Review

Kelly Stewart
Jan 25, 2017
3 min read

From the director of 'Whiplash’, 'La La Land' is filled with dazzling cinematography, wonderful acting performances, and the most beautiful musical motif’s. They really don’t make films like it anymore. Paying tribute to the classic Hollywood musical works of the 1960’s, such as that of Jacques Demy, presenting us with gorgeous purple sunsets and divine jazz music that follows our two leading lovers’ story in true perfection.

‘La La Land’ couldn’t be more perfectly titled as it follows the lives of Sebastien (Ryan Gosling) a struggling but very ambitious jazz musician, and Mia (Emma Stone) a wonderful though unsuccessful actress, as they both attempt to navigate the disorientating, all together brutal and beautiful land that is Hollywood. Without giving away too many spoilers, let’s just say that the brilliance in the story itself is how they balance the magical gravity-defying (in one scene – quite literally!) love the couple share, and the undercurrent of gritty reality that brings the film out from just being a nostalgic musical, to being a modern homage to cinema itself. The camera moves beautifully fluid throughout the film to elevate that feeling of ‘magic’ – bringing the term ‘movie magic’ to life again. The film therefore really brings out the creators love of cinema itself, and everything that it’s supposed to mean in its escapism, wonder, and commentary on reality. Style versus substance is always the key to making an Academy Award winning film, and La La Land is quite literally the rule book on how to get that balance right.

This new film from Damien Chazelle – winner of seven Golden Globes, recipient of 11 BAFTA nominations, and the expected winner of the 89th Academy Award for Best Picture – is definitely adding to the recent hype over the director, and he is climbing up to be put in the hall of fame with some of the greats. If you want a masterclass in direction and cinematography – this is the film to see! On the other end, it’s also the film to see for a masterclass is beautifully subtle yet captivating acting performances. Emma Stone particularly brings the character of Mia to life, and in one scene where we see her auditioning for a panel who won’t give her the time of day, we are instantly convinced of Mia’s talent because of how truly talented Stone is. On the other end, Ryan Gosling is probably one of the few actors that can be both far too handsome to be real, but also pull off a self-deprecating disposition that brings out empathy for everyone who has wanted something so badly that it’s paralyzing not to know how to have it. The hopelessness of his state of mind and dreams creates one of the most complex and real characters I’ve yet to see in a cinema for a long time. The two actors complement each other brilliantly, though as expected due to their previous films together such as ‘Crazy, Stupid Love’. When you see two actors who know how to work together with such ease, it really allows the audience to get lost in the movie magic. Note to all actors out there: get on with your co-stars! It’ll do wonders for the performance you give.

I won’t spoil the ending, as it’s one that depending on your own point of view will change your emotional reaction to it, but I will say this; you’ll leave the cinema with a tear in your eye and a song in your heart!

To find out more about this film and the people behind it, check out this really great video below: