La La Land – Film Review

There is one film in particular I know going in and after seeing, that I am sure is going to be Best Picture. This is that film. Seeing La La Land is an experience. I’m not one to really care for musicals but this one really spoke to me as an artist making their own life in the real world it is a struggle. Being a designer who doesn’t want to be labeled as a web designer and wants to be just a designer that does anything. The struggles of having to compromise to make a living, which Ryan Reynold’s character (Sebastian) does for Emma Stone’s character. The reality of sacrifice is so true in the world of art.

The songs are pretty memorable. I commend the songwriter and score composer for making such a stylistic choices in the compositions of each song. The musical numbers were pretty strong as well as the visuals they added to give a classic film sensibility. Everything felt purposeful and theatrical to showcase not only the old school ways of filmmaking but how it has evolved over time. With them using “Presented in CINEMASCOPE” was such a great nod and inclusion for the film to get people who haven’t seen that before familiar with it. Also without spoiling the end, they do use the classic “THE END” script typeface at the close of the picture.

How are you gonna be a revolutionary if you’re such a traditionalist? You hold onto the past, but jazz is about the future.

The characters of Mia and Sebastian are archetypes for dreamers of LA. They are your common found female actress and male musician looking to hit it big to do what they love. Emma Stone’s character does have some negative actions which hurt Ryan Gosling’s character, but in the end it feels real. Not everything is a happy ending. People change, things don’t always go according to plan. The sectionized format of how they break the film up was interesting. Its shown in parts of each season and some time later on. I found that there was enough time we got to know the characters in how they meet, become friends, fall in love and so on to where it did feel believable.

Overall this is a great film to watch and enjoy. Its messaging is there but it is not in your face as much as some Oscar bait films can be. The only problem I had with the film is that it felt like it dragged on a little too long. It could have been tighter but it was still effective. The most memorable scene out of it is the What If? montage. Definitely something powerful and well shot.

9.5/10

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