As my first feature for the year, La La Land is setting the bar high.
The film is a colourful romantic comedy that puts a modern twist on golden era musicals. In many ways, it is a love-drunk ballad to Hollywood, but it’s also so much more than that.
The title alone gives some hint to the film and its story long before one steps into the theatre. La La Land is a derisive knick name for Los Angeles, where the film is set. The home of Hollywood. It’s also a common descriptor of people who aren’t grounded in reality.
And after the opening scene turns one of those infamous LA traffic jams into what could be described as a musical or a flash mob scene, and we see Mia (Emma Stone) so caught up in learning her script lines she holds up traffic, we are sent on a journey that explores what it takes to chase your dreams and what you give up along the way.
La La Land follows struggling musician and jazz aficionado Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and aspiring actress and cafe waitress Mia as they strive to make a name for themselves in the city famous for both making dreams and destroying them.
On the face of it, you may almost be fooled into thinking La La Land is cliché, and there are a few of cliche’s along the way, but there are also blasts of originality woven into the story and the way its delivered.
It’s difficult not to get swept up into the cinematic world that is so beautifully constructed and coloured by director Damien Chazelle and his crew, a world that dances between the old and the new while also showcasing some of those famous Los Angeles locations. It’s also a joy if you like jazz.
And as so many friends have commented, when Mia and Seb first launch into dance in the car park overlooking the morning-lit city, it’s hard not to think of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. That said, it’s not long before a mobile phone breaks the moment and sends us lurching back to modern life. And reality.
Gosling and Stone shine in their roles. They’ve appeared opposite one another in other films, so familiarity works in their favour. And what they lack in song voice or dance prowess they make up for in chemistry.
They are so fun together its difficult to imagine anyone else playing those characters. Emma Stone was particularly standout. She can talk with those big eyes. The inclusion of John Legend was also a smooth move. He is one cool cat.
The film has a magic about it that is difficult to resist – and I saw no need to put up the barriers. It’s also come at a time when perhaps the world is in need of a little music, a little romance and a good dose of big dreams.
It’s a sure-fire award winner – and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Jump in and go on a ride. I dare you.