La La Land Review
La La Land!!!! There’s always a movie or two each year that audiences overwhelming praise. In 2014 it was Birdman and Boyhood and the year before it was 12 Years a Slave. Weirdly enough, these are the films I get most nervous about seeing. They get so much hype that sometimes can’t ever be met. On one hand, I thought La La Land could definitely be the masterpiece people are saying. The trailers hooked me. It seemed like a movie that knew exactly what it wanted to be. Plus, director Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash was awesome!! On the other side of things, there have been many Best Picture contenders that I would’t glance twice at.
It feels almost wrong to say this, but I don’t understand the immense amount of praise La La Land is getting. I can see why people like it so much but it didn’t grab me like I wanted it to. However, once it hits VOD I need to check it out again because I could see it slowly growing on me as time passes. When Inglorious Basterds came out, I really didn’t like it but now it is one of my favorites. At first, I didn't think Argo was Best Picture worthy but now I think it definitely deserved to win. I have a feeling La La Land might be the same.
If you utterly hate musicals I can’t see you liking this one. I know a lot of people say it’s a movie that even non musical lovers can enjoy. I somewhat disagree. I think if they’re not your favorite but you’re open to the idea of them, you can love this film. However, if they’re something you hate and can’t stand, this isn’t going to change your mind.
I wanted La La Land to remind me of why I’m so obsessed with film. When a movie does that, I’m inspired to delve deeper into my love for movies. It sticks with me long after leaving the theatre. With La La Land, I didn’t get that. It’s hard to describe. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it. It’s a perfectly executed movie that didn’t grip me like I had hoped.
I don’t want it to seem like I’m bagging on this film too much. It has a lot of strong points. The musical numbers are top notch. I wouldn’t say every one of them is a home-run but a majority are. It’s beautiful to look and the city of LA shines in this film. It made me really happy to live there. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone give solid performances that stand out because of how charming they are throughout the whole story. They’re very likable characters.
The film’s second act is its strongest element. The first half is enjoyable to watch but it lacks the realness of the later section. It starts of as a classic Hollywood love story and then flips itself on its head, offering a unique twist on what it takes to pursue your dreams. I loved the ending. Its a conversation starter, reminding us that behind all the glamour of Hollywood, people are still forced to deal with reality.
This movie is whimsical yet grounded. It has a lot of charm and music that pays tribute to classic Hollywood. Fortunately, the movie has a deeper level that enhances the experience. So… you kind of get the best of both worlds. It’s playful but still makes a strong statement.
I wanted to fall in love with this movie so so badly. I don’t know exactly why, but I didn’t. I still have hope that it will grow on me. Let’s put it this way… I would have no problems having to sit through the movie again. I understand the hype. I just didn’t feel the same. La La Land is a 7/10 for me and I’m hoping it goes up on my list in the coming years.
