Film Review: La La Land

I finally watched La La Land a decade after it was released, and I was completely bowled over. I should have watched it in the theatres, for it's the kind of film you watch on the big screen—but also one of those films that are worth the wait. Never mind the missing popcorn.

La La Land was a lovely, emotionally charged film about two people—Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a struggling jazz musician—chasing their dreams in Los Angeles while falling for each other and desperately trying to stay in love.

Does their relationship survive when their dreams get in the way? That's the heart of the film, literally and figuratively. Their dramatised world of love, ambition, success—and sacrifice, if you like—would resonate with people caught in the real world of college and office romances, and other affairs of the heart.

Everything about La La Land was old school. It had that feel—the story, music and dance, colours and lighting, camera work—which made it feel magical. It reminded me of those classic Hollywood musicals from way back, with old jazz music occasionally playing in the background. I could picture the film in black and white or Technicolor.

La La Land had several heartwarming moments that made it special, heightened by the mature on-screen chemistry of Stone and Gosling. In that sense, the movie felt both modern and nostalgic at the same time.

So yeah, if you haven't seen the film, just watch it.

Images: Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films