La La Land

            In 2014, Damien Chazelle gave us the film, “Whiplash,” and it was among my top 3 favorite films of that year. Going from a short film to a major motion picture was definitely a big step in the right direction for this guy, and it made me interested for what he would be bringing forth next as his follow up. Although, considering the kind of triumph that “Whiplash” was, it’d be hard to top it. Now as we wrap up our look at the top three Oscar frontrunners of this season, we end it all with “La La Land.”

            The film tells the story of two people: Sebastian Wilder and Mia Dolan. Mia is a struggling actress trying to get picked up, while Sebastian is a traditional jazz pianist trying to start up his own club. After a few encounters, the duo hit it off and try to help each other achieve what they want most.

            When I first saw the trailers for this film, I thought it looked good, but I didn’t think I was going to impress me that much. But as further trailers popped up, that’s when I got the indication that this was a Hollywood musical. Not a film based on a Broadway musical, nor was it a jukebox musical, or an animated film with songs in it. A fresh new Hollywood movie with songs written specifically for the silver screen. I got a friend of mine to join me for New Year’s Eve, and I sat down thinking, “Come on, Damien Chazelle. Show me what you’re really capable of.”

Literally from the opening number, I was hooked. The songs, composed and orchestrated by Justin Hurwitz and written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, were absolutely hypnotic. They had me wrapped in this familiar spell that I was caught it when I first saw films like “An American in Paris,” “Holiday Inn,” and “Singing in the Rain.” Matched up with the choreography by Mandy Moore, the editing by Tom Cross, and the cinematography, and you have easily a film that will go down in history with  those films. With how nostalgic it felt listening to tunes like “Someone in the Crowd” and “A Lovely Night,” it made me happy to a point where I felt myself close to crying. That shows you how damn good a film can be.

I also love watching the story between Mia and Sebastian unfold. Of course, they don’t like each other at first, especially when their first few encounters leave Sebastian in a relatively bad mood. But as they get to know each other better, you see these two get used to the things that one loves yet the other hates, and help each other find that spark that they need to really bring themselves to that goal, whether for the better or worse. Originally, the duo was planned to be Miles Teller and Emma Watson, but I feel like Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were a better fit. With this being the third film that they’ve collaborated on as a couple, the other two being “Crazy Stupid Love” and “Gangster Squad,” they really have left a place in cinema history as the modern day Hollywood couple, in the same vein as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

A true major selling point that I loved about the movie was how it takes risky moves with the clichéd love story musical, especially with its ending. Despite it being a bit down, I came out completely satisfied with it. It gave me this feeling of reassurance that I hadn’t felt all year, and I was extremely happy. I think that’s something a film should be applauded for, is leaving you with that true moment of satisfaction that sticks even after leaving.

If you have yet to see “La La Land,” what are you doing reading this for then? Go out and see this damn movie right now! It’s getting major buzz at the Oscars for Best Picture, and they’re right to declare that. From its acting, to its story, its choreography, and fantastic music, it’s a film that deserves to be applauded for its love letter to the Old Hollywood musicals of yesterday.

Rating: 10/10

Also, if you’re reading this now, thank you so much for sticking with me to the very end of this year, because it fills me with some form of satisfaction that somebody or some people take time out of their day to read what I have to say about a movie. Whether it’s good or bad, it feels me with such a rewarding feeling that I’m proud. I’ve been doing these reviews for over five years straight now, and I don’t regret it. I’ve come out liking films that I would have never known existed, or even considered my cup of tea, but they managed to leave such a big impression on me. And as someone who thrives to become a film maker one day, I see it as lessons of what works about this film right now, and what little things can I notice that would be important to know.

Whatever the future may hold, good or bad, I just want you to know that I love you all and thank you for reading this. If you would, please leave a comment, so I know who the best people are, and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Next Time: The Best and Worst Films of 2016