La La Land Review

If New York City is the city that never sleeps, then La La Land tells us Los Angeles is the city that never wakes up. It’s a city full of dreamers, a city of singers, actors, musicians, and stars. But it also tells us that those dreams of all we ever wanted are just that - dreams. Sebastian wants to open his own jazz club, but is forced to lose his integrity playing at parties and corrupting the form of art he loves. Mia wants to be a famous actress, but struggles to network with executives or get a callback.

The cynical and depressing message isn’t what makes this film an instant classic, but the medium through which it gives us the message: song. Crazy, upbeat musical numbers with masses of talented people, all living the dream, dancing and singing together without a care in the world whilst struggling to get by - surviving only because they love what they do. Once this world of hopes and dreams that never come true is established, we move to a new tone - still the schmutzy feel of show tunes, but with something else underneath: a sadness, a longing for more and the understanding of the futility of their goals. Damien Chazelle has done a wonderful thing with this music because it presents the heroes of the classic Hollywood story getting exactly what they want, in the same style of the stories that came before. It’s an excellent homage to the previous stories but it’s also so much more. It’s a damning criticism of the dream and society they present as ideal and attainable.

It’s not just a homage to the musicals of Hollywood’s past though - it’s also a love letter to the dying art of jazz. The score is full of jazzy moments, with full jazz songs in there too. Chazelle’s point here is genius - while calling back to much loved classics of the past and showing their beauty, he shows us how jazz is in danger if we don’t do the same and respect its past and the influences it’s had on our society. It’s a call to arms (and to instruments!).

I could not think of a better casting choice than Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling for Sebastian and Mia. Their chemistry on screen is so perfect, from the snarky arguments and taunts to the tenderness and love they show for each other, all the way to the end. They perform off each other so well, even conversation is almost a dance. It’s synchronised in one way, yet their characters from the offset are slightly out of sync with each other, unsure of where to go next, always trying to do the best they can with what they have. In a way, the relationship between the two is a jazz song itself. It’s frantic, it’s argument and compromise, it’s musical and magical while also being harsh and loud. Above all, it’s beautiful.

That’s not all. The beauty of La La Land is not just in the music and performances, but in the cinematography too. It’s one of the most visually stunning films I’ve ever seen. From the colours, the use of sunlight, the way music and sound is somehow caught on camera, to the sweeping shots of the songs, the spotlights, and the planetarium scene, everything is perfect and fits the tone of the film perfectly.

If I haven’t convinced you to watch it by now, I don’t know what will. On a final note, I’ll say this. It has the best ending to any film I’ve ever seen. Everything in the film ties into this symphony of emotion, colour, and music. It’s beautiful in every way.

I give this film five DCGS Shields out of five.