“Here’s to the Ones that Dream” is a lyric from an original song titled ‘Audition.’ Writer-director Damien Chazelle’s ‘La La Land’ is a beautiful ode to Hollywood’s Golden Age. Once the lights dim, the classic CinemaScope logo takes over the screen. The audience is treated to an ambitious production number which includes dozens of Los Angeles commuters stuck in a traffic jam on the 105 freeway. They break out in song and dance on the tops of their cars shot in vibrant colors. It’s a dazzling number that sets the stage for a heartwarming boy-meets-girl romance. For a 31-year-old filmmaker, Chazelle masterfully captures the MGM musical genre and reinvigorates it with a modern twist. ‘La La Land’ is the best movie of 2016 and is a frontrunner at the Oscars for best picture.
The cinematography by Linus Sandgren (American Hustle) drenches the screen with bright colors. The city of Los Angeles never looked so good. The camera whirls around as the musical numbers play out. It’s when the characters break out in song and dance that gives ‘La La Land’ its charming appeal. It’s escapist entertainment at its finest. The production design is amazing. The costumes are stunning. The colors seem to burst out from everywhere. One scene shows a group of young women getting ready to go out for a night on the town. The visual is striking as they dance and strut down the street. It pays homage to the musical classic ‘West Side Story.’ These musical interludes are guaranteed to bring a smile on your face and make you appreciate the musical genre once again.
It is during the exuberant opening traffic jam scene that our two leads meet cute for the first time. It’s a funny moment that is not love at first sight. Mia (Emma Stone) makes a living as a barista on the Warner Bros. Studio backlot. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a jazz pianist at a posh restaurant where he is forced to play cover tunes. They are both dreamers. She aspires to be an actress and he is a jazz purist that yearns to open his own club. Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop for these two dreamers. Chazelle smartly lets Mia and Sebastian gradually fall in love as they keep bumping into each other. After a chance encounter at a Hollywood pool party, they stroll to a lookout over L.A that gives off a ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ vibe. The shimmering lights and violet sunset set the mood for their song, “A Lovely Night.” Gosling and Stone are no Astaire and Rogers but their portrayals are so genuine that they give the film its heart and soul.
Make no mistake about it. Gosling and Stone are fantastic. They have a palpable chemistry together. This is their third film (the other two – Crazy, Stupid, Love and Gangster Squad). Chazelle wisely makes a statement about the compromises that need to be made to carve out a living in show business. When Sebastian sells out in a jazz pop band led by John Legend, the constant touring begins to negatively affect their relationship. When he asks Mia to come with him on tour to Boise, she balks at the invitation. It’s the real life issue of success that gets in the way of their romance. Nothing but praise goes to Chazelle for making a love story where the two leads don’t waltz off into the sunset together. The film takes a hard look at the cost of fame in a relationship. ‘La La Land’ poses the question can they have it all?
It’s a tough issue that young people face. They want to fall in love and get married but hold off due to lack of finances. Millennials want to find that job that they are passionate about waking up to. Unfortunately, the reality of adulthood deals with making compromises. Just like Mia and Sebastian, everyone wants to pursue that one career that will make them happy and fulfilled. So in a sense, ‘La La Land’ is a cautionary tale. The adage rings true – Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true. ‘La La Land’ is absolutely stunning. Everything from the choreography, direction and performances are beautifully orchestrated. Gosling and Stone are dazzling in the lead roles and we can only hope they will perform one of their musical numbers at the Oscars in 2017.
