Logan Sork Film Reviews
La La Land
For many years, the musical was a staple genre in the Hollywood industry. In recent years however, the genre has become more niche, with many musical films being either animated or simply adaptations of Broadway shows. With La La Land, the genre has been resurrected. The film not only honors the legacy of classic musicals of the 50’s and 60’s, but also updates it for modern audiences. Using fantastic direction, excellent performances and a heartfelt message, the film manages to capture the spirit of classical musicals while also introducing a new generation to the genre.
La La Land is directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as Mia and Sebastian, two aspiring artists who travel to Hollywood to achieve their dreams, with Mia pursuing acting and Sebastian aspiring to own his own Jazz club. The two first cross paths at a party, where they begin a friend ship that eventually blossoms into a lively relationship as they both agree to take on the challenges that they face in this harsh world together. Things don’t go as smoothly as they would like however, when their perspective careers begin to blossom, making it more difficult to remain together. As they continue to traverse the difficult world of Hollywood and fame, they must decide how their future will be. Do they choose to remain together, knowing that they may never reach their initial ideas of dreams and success, or do they go their separate ways to pursue their fame, knowing they will sacrifice the relationship that has been built between them?
La La Land pays tribute to classic Hollywood musicals of the 1950’s and 60’s but updates the ingredients beautifully to fit a modern audience. The technical elements of this film, from the amazing cinematography to the imaginative direction to the beautiful costumes and sets, are simply amazing to watch. They all have beautiful elements of classic Hollywood yet have enough modern edge to fit them in the contemporary world, resulting in a film that looks and feels both old-fashioned and new at the same time. Another aspect of the film that must be praised are the songs and score. The lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are both unique and memorable will also managing to add some additional layers to the film. These songs are boosted by the excellent background accompaniment by Justin Hurwitz, who’s score elevates both the songs and even scenes from the film to new iconic moment within the musical genre. The film could stand as a fantastic move jut on these merits alone, but there are so many more elements that make this film a truly fantastic experience.
One of these elements is the fantastic cast and vocal performances. Ryan Gosling is as excellent as he usually is, as is his singing, but for me, it is Emma Stone who steals the show. Every moment from her, whether it be a vocal performance during an upbeat song or a moment of anger and despair, feels so genuine and real, it’s almost as if she’s a real person rather than a fictional character. The chemistry between these two is also another high point of the film. This is the third time they have worked together on a major film and it really shows. Together, they act more like real people in a genuine relationship rather than a fictional one, their chemistry is so good in fact that it doesn’t even feel like you’re watching a film, but rather a world in which these two interact with one another. The vocal performances from other performers also elevate this film above others among the genre, as everyone gives it their all, with no one slacking. The performers are also excellent with the filsm excellent song sequences, which range from fast paced and energetic to melancholy and somber, giving the film great emotional range and also keeping things well paced.
In my opinion however, the best this film has to offer is found in its story and themes. After you strip away all of the other fantastic elements from the songs to the cinematography, you still have a great story about two people falling in love and realizing their dreams. It is important to have dreams, but it is also important to realize that sometimes those dreams come at a cost and you must take time to weigh out the options. Sometimes life might present you with two different paths to take, each with its own pros and cons and you must be willing to make a choice between two roads. The film also reinforces the idea of not giving up on your dreams. So often people try once and give up, failing to realize that it might take years for their dreams to be achieved. You must be willing to work hard to achieve your dreams and be willing to face the multiple obstacles that life throws at you, because those that persevere will reap the rewards of finally achieving their dreams.
This film is- to put it simply- amazing. The technical aspects, the performances and inspiring themes work perfectly in tandem to create an experience that no other modern film has been able to capture. Whether or not you’re a newcomer to musicals, a longtime fan, or a fool with big dreams, La La Land is well worth a watch.
10/10