La La Land (2016) Review

Musicals nowadays are a bit scarce. We've had a few pop up in the last decade like Chicago, Moulin Rouge, and Les Miserables and they proved to be successful. But then comes La La Land which was original and a salute to the musicals from the Golden Age of Hollywood such as Singing in the Rain. When I first heard of this movie, I was immediately intrigued. I have a soft spot for the movie musical genre. Heck, some of my favorite shows have done some great musical episodes. But I was also drawn to the beautiful colors and dreamlike LA setting. Seems like this year was saving the best movies for last. I seized the chance to watch it on last Thursday. I went to see it at the Alamo Drafthouse where it was crowded with Star Wars fans. Rogue One had to wait another day.

So the movie begins with an extremely impressive opening number with people in traffic, then getting into song and dance. I was instantly dazzled with the opening and how it was shot in one long take. You need to see it to believe it. Then we meet our two leads Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling). Mia has a dream of becoming an actress but doesn't do much to impress in her auditions. Sebastian is a pianist who's passionate about jazz and wants to keep it from dying. Although their first moments together don't start out pleasant, they eventually form a relationship and attempt to keep each others' passion alive, though they run into a few shortcomings.

While the cast does a great job, Emma Stone really stands out. Her ambition of getting in the spotlight is played out really well, but she also does great in the musical numbers. She even has one number that I consider to be her equivalent of Anne Hathaway's "I Dreamed a Dream" moment in Les Miserables. I even love how in one scene, she shows off her excellent skill in lip synching. Ryan Gosling also does really good as Sebastian. His love for jazz and to keep the flame of it burning is a trademark of the director Damien Chazzelle, as also demonstrated in his previous film, Whiplash. In fact, JK Simmons makes a cameo as Bill, a cafe owner, who lets Sebastian perform only Christmas songs and no jazz. But Sebastian creates this beautiful melody that would become his and Mia's theme in the movie. He's then fired by Bill, though I think we all know the real reason why. It wasn't his tempo. The beautiful cinematography is another plus, and also the choreography. As I said, it is so unbelievable how some of these numbers were shot in one single, long take like the opening one. I have to applaud Damien Chazzelle, the cast, and the crew for all their effort in creating these wonderful moments.

All in all, if old school musicals are up your alley, then you'll be in love with this movie. I even dare those who don't care for musicals to go see it. It is just a magical film that explores following your dreams and how tough the path can be and how it can change your life if you succeed. I would be really glad if it takes home the Best Picture award at next year's Oscars.

NOTE (1/5/17): When I said some of the numbers were shot in one take, I didn't mean literally. I'm positive they pieced together several takes to make it seem long. But in the end, it doesn't matter because you're so dazzled by the movie.

RATING: COMPLETE APPROVAL