La La Land

Score:  ****1/2 out of ***** (A)

Directed by Damien Chazelle
Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend
Running time: 128 minutes
Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  La La Land is a musical, set in modern times but in the tradition of the classics.  Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone must now be cemented as the top pairing in Hollywood, making the film an enrapturing experience.  But credit also must be given to a simple yet well-devised story, a very good script - and perhaps most importantly, fantastic music.  A must-see.


In the sunny setting of Los Angeles, Mia (Stone) dreams of becoming a successful actress.  As she patiently endures failed auditions, she squeezes into a crowded apartment and works as a barista by day.  Sebastian (Gosling) mourns society's declining interest in classic jazz, and his resistance to catering to popular tastes as a pianist bounces him from bar to restaurant and back.  The struggling artists run into each other several times by coincidence, and slowly, grudgingly, get to know each other.  They begin to see themselves in each other, though, in their ambitions, and soon spend more time with each other, urging each other on in their pursuits.  As he grows more fond of Mia, Sebastian looks for more stable employment, and joins an old friend's band - one with a popular sound he dislikes but provides a steady paycheck.  Soon he is out of town on tour more often than not, leaving Mia to continue her vain efforts to land a significant acting role.  The strain of day-to-day living and frustration in achieving artistic ambition for Mia and Sebastian combines now with observing and supporting the same struggles in another; if they can't both have it all, where will their hearts and their minds ultimately pull them?

La La Land has a very small cast - basically, the leads - but the actors take you into their hopeful yet vulnerable world.  Having starred together in several other films, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have developed a rapport that is evident immediately and throughout the film.  Both are energetic, and their personalities fit together well; Gosling/Sebastian as a more naturally outgoing people-person yet with a brooding quieter side, and Stone/Mia with a smart, quieter, reserved posture along with the desire and ability to connect with others.  Fortunately, we get plenty of opportunity to observe both characters by themselves in addition to their dynamic relationship.  Naturally, this occurs mostly at the beginning of the film, with Sebastian's passion and Mia's resolve particularly well illustrated - and for both, the internal fear and frustration they try to mask.  But also we see them separately towards the end, showing how their relationship has helped them grow (and also heighten the pain of certain failures).  It sometimes seems that Gosling and Stone are merely being themselves on screen, but I think that more reflects their commitment and consistency to character - and both strike just the right balance at the particularly emotional and powerful moments.

La La Land is a great movie, one that incorporates its musical elements seamlessly and tells a strong story - but above all, a joyful and uplifting one.  With the focus solely on Mia, Sebastian, and their relationship, the filmmakers have room to really explore the characters, with music (and dance to a lesser degree) celebrating and enhancing them along with the more traditional dramatic tools.  After all - this is a film about artists.  The beginning third (well, probably more like first half) and the ending are particularly strong in this combination of art and drama; the middle is still fine, and importantly moves the story forward, but it can't help but drag a bit in comparison.  The story mostly just glides along - in support of the characters - but it provides an ending that is both heartbreaking and also triumphant.  It says, no, you can't have literally everything in life, but the result can still be happy.  Last but certainly not least, the music is tremendous.  Several of the tunes are quite strong and I've been humming them in my head ever since.  Equally as impressive is the instrumental work, in and around the featured songs; it certainly is musical-y, but it all ties together with its own jazzy style and features some great moments, especially for the piano and trumpet (it helps that those are my favorites!).

***

La La Land, like several other films in this awards season, certainly lives up to its critical hype.  Especially in the depths of winter, and the tense, dark political atmosphere of the day, this film is a perfect way to escape, enjoy yourself, and remind yourself of life's hope and possibilities.  I hope, too, that the film can be successful enough to show Hollywood studios the (financial and other) merits of nurturing top talent - here, up-and-coming director Chazelle, and everyone else from Gosling and Stone to the writers and musicians.  These films get made every year of course - and fortunately, at least in my rural area, they are even slowly coming to a wider audience - but I'd like to see more regular effort to A) pour in the same talent and ideas/innovation to the blockbusters (i.e. wide releases) and B) release them throughout the year, not just award season (December-January).  In the mean time, make sure you, the audience, go out to enjoy and support great work like La La Land - so hopefully there'll be more like it to come!



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