Let’s get this out of the way: I hate musicals. But La La Land is something special.
The story of an aspiring actress and jazz musician who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles, La La Land is an uplifting and joyful adventure, and exactly the kind of film our cynical world needs today. Director Damien Chazelle injects every single scene with a bustling sense of energy, and a whole lot of heart. Moreover, the film’s script cleverly uses all the musical sequences to move the narrative forward; no dialogue is wasted and every dance number provides even further insight into our crazy characters.
It helps that both Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are perfect in their roles. I remember loving these two in Crazy Stupid Love, but they’re even more fantastic here. Gosling is just the right dose of goofy and snarky, while Emma is her quirky likeable self throughout. The hype these two have been receiving is well deserved, because their chemistry is just exceptional.
From a technical perspective, La La Land is also a towering achievement. Many of the song and dance sequences are filmed as one long uninterrupted take, and it’s dazzling to behold. Gosling and Stone aren’t exactly trained dancers, making their accomplishments all the more impressive. In addition, the set design and cinematography are a true visual delight; every frame is packed with outstanding details that bring this colorful world to life.
Oh, and the ending is extremely satisfying.
Conclusion
La La Land is a charming, vibrant, and thoroughly magical film. Even if you’re not a fan of musicals, give this a shot. It’s certainly worth experiencing.
Nad Rating
A