The Lost Review: “Is ‘La La Land’ All That?”

Editor’s Note: I wrote this review of “La La Land” on Feb. 5, 2017. For some reason, I never published it. I’m not sure why. But the movie was a favorite of my brother-in-law Sean Weide, who ended up seeing it a total of nine times at Aksarben Cinema. Sean died in May 2017. I revisited “La La Land” on Blu-ray the week he died, and also ordered the soundtrack on CD (I like physical media). The movie makes me think of him, and his incessant pleadings to check it out. There are many times I wish he was around so I could discuss this breezy and poignant movie with him, but alas...

From Feb 5, 2017:

I finally saw critical darling "La La Land" — the movie that's been singing and dancing its way through awards season (garnering 14 Oscar nominations). 

I'd had every intention of seeing the movie when it debuted in December. In the ensuing weeks, my Facebook and Twitter feeds have been filled with positive audience reactions, with a number of the testimonials gushing (my brother-in-law has seen "La La Land" seven times to date). 

Every so often, a film is released that captures the romance of a bygone era in cinema — movies that harken back to a simpler time, when stories eschewed dark and brooding narratives for something with the light froth of a freshly blended milkshake. 

"La La Land" attempts to infuse the world of classic movie musicals with a hipster sensibility. 

It's less of a showy stage play than its forefathers in that regard, opting instead for an understated elegance and a subdued vibe. 

"La La Land" tells the story of struggling actress Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) and misunderstood jazz pianist Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling). Both are trying to stay afloat in Hollywood: Mia as a movie studio barista and Sebastian as a lounge musician. Neither is particularly happy.

Mia and Sebastian's paths first cross in a traffic jam on Los Angeles freeway (which features one of the movie's most whimsical song-and-dance sequences). 

Two additional encounters happen (both involving unfortunate piano gigs for Sebastian) before the relationship's seeds are planted, and their bond starts to bloom. 

The characters are kindred spirits, and are able to help one another navigate the treacherous waters of Hollywood. Mia — disillusioned with a series of failed auditions — eventually decides she wants to stage her own one-woman play, while Sebastian tours with a pop artist (played by John Legend), in hopes of raising capital to start his own jazz club. 

Their dreamlike journey is strewn with gentle humor, and punctuated with musical cues throughout.

I'm sure the question on your mind is this: Does the film live up to the hype? 

Much as the movie itself doesn't deal in absolutes, neither does the answer to that question. 

Director Damien Chazelle has written/directed a movie that is buoyant and romantic, something in short supply at the cinema today (I really need to do a blog post on the relative dearth of romantic comedies out there).

Chazelle also chose to tell the story in musical form — something we generally only see in animated fare these days. 

Compared to the typical Oscar bait, it stands out as something different. Therein lies part of the appeal to the awards show circuit and critical "best of" lists. 

And the performances by Gosling and Stone — who dominate the narrative — are really solid in "La La Land."

My only quibble is that there were certain moments that felt a tad bit slow. 

I've heard from multiple individuals that the movie actually improves with additional viewings, so I will have to see it again. 

If you haven't yet seen "La La Land," you should see what all the hype is about for yourself. 

Rated PG-13, Runtime: 2 hrs, 8 min

Postscript: Anyone who watched the Academy Awards in 2017 will recall the Warren Beatty SNAFU where he announced "La La Land" as the Best Picture winner... only to be corrected moments later with announcement that "Moonlight" was the actual victor. Personally speaking, I think it is a crime that "La La Land" didn't win. I've watched the movie numerous times on Blu-ray, and my appreciation grows on each subsequent viewing. 

John Legend's character Keith says to Sebastian in the movie, "Jazz is about the future." By the same token, "La La Land" should be a template for how filmmakers approach stories in the future.  

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