La La Land

La La Land

Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, J.K. Simmons

Directed by Damien Chazelle

The Story:
Aspiring actress and barista Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) wants to be an actress in the era of old Hollywood, as she works on the lot of a major studio company and often reminisces about scenes that took place there.  She's a young, free-spirited woman who pursues her dreams relentlessly, even though they haven't panned out yet.

Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling) is an expert pianist whose heart bleeds classic jazz.  He knows its a dying musical art form, but his passion doesn't allow him to give up on it.  In fact, he desires to eventually open a club in Los Angeles that caters specifically to the old jazz style.

When these two star-crossed lovers meet, it's not necessarily love at first sight.  Yet their friendship soon buds into a passionate romance, and as they work to achieve their dreams, they come face-to-face with the possibility that those dreams could tear them apart.

The Synopsis:
There's movies.  There's films.  There's masterpieces.  Then there's pieces of pure art that resonate to your very soul and leaves a lasting imprint on your heart.  Damien Chazelle's "La La Land" is that kind of art form.  From its rousing opening number to its soul-clenching close, this art pulls you in and lets you become part of the masterpiece that it is, and you're all the better for it.

You would think the film takes place in the 50s era of classic Hollywood, with the costume designs, artistic qualities, settings and concepts, until you hear a cell phone ringing and realize that it does indeed take place in modern times.  Still, it's a perfect blend of the classic with the new, and firmly establishes a deep sense of nostalgia and yearning for the simpler time, while still incorporating today's mainstays.  It gives an ethereal, beautiful sense of timelessness and whimsy.  The title itself serves as a duel meaning, as it's a nickname of the city it takes place in, but also is a phrase used to express whims of wonder ("he's so delusional he's stuck in la la land" might be a phrase you've heard before).  Even from the title it proves its point - it's about finding love in Los Angeles, but it's also about reaching out beyond the ordinary and striving for something more.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are electrifying, as they exude chemistry that's white hot (no surprise, as this is the third film they've appeared in together after "Crazy Stupid Love" and "Gangster Squad").  Gosling shows Sebastian's obsession for jazz music in a way that makes anyone who doesn't like that genre of music fall in love with it.  He even went so far as to learn piano by practicing two hours a day six days a week, and all the scenes in the film are Gosling performing, and not a stunt double.  He's determined to get the word out about the magic of pure jazz, and does so in a charming, passionate way.

Emma Stone commands the screen as the beautiful Mia, a woman who's natural beauty is often overlooked during casting calls by the fake beauty others show.  She has a youthful innocence, yet driven determination to make her dreams come true.  She's a delicate flower you wish you hold gingerly, and you truly hope she will be able to make all her dreams come true.

When the two characters meet, their love begins blossoming in the classic style.  First they exchange playful banter, then some personal connections until the romance begins organically and innocently enough during the screening of "Rebel Without a Cause" in a classic-style theater.  It's one of the best love stories in cinema, and most assuredly the best love story in recent memory.  Much better love story than "Twilight." 

Music is the heart of the film, and from the first rousing number involving several people on the Los Angeles freeway to the most intimate solos of Stone and Gosling, you're transfixed to the screen and tapping your feet to the music, and once again gain a newfound appreciation for the musical genre.  Some reviewers have said they don't make films like this anymore, and they're right.  In a way, that's a very good thing because a film like this is able to stand out on its own and leave a very memorable experience.  The visuals are downright magical, emotional and jarring, and shows how music is really a fluid art form.  Each musical sequence is shot with one sweeping take, moving with the beat of the song (fast paced with the opening number, slower with the more intimate numbers), and stirs a passion in your heart to dance along.

At only 31 years old, Damien Chazelle is already an accomplished writer and director.  In 2014 he directed and wrote "Whiplash," which went on to earn five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and won J.K. Simmons his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.  He followed that up with co-writing the brilliant "10 Cloverfield Lane," and now has written and directed what will undoubtedly be another multi-Oscar award nominee - and will most likely win several of them.  He is a visionary of the modern era who has a deep passion for music and writing in a way that draws you to the film and gives you a newfound appreciation for true music styling.  He's still got a very long career ahead of him, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

The Summary:
If there was a film you could put in a museum for everyone to watch and appreciate, "La La Land" is that type of film.

The Score: A+