La La Land

• Damien Chazelle was indeed 'in search of perfection' when he wrote and directed Whiplash in 2014. But now, Chazelle has found perfection, creating a cinematic classic of this generation with La La Land. As if that accomplishment weren't enough, the director is still young, only 31 years old, and will undoubtedly deliver more great films in the years ahead.

• Even though the story isn't anything truly new, the film still manages to enchant. This is above all thanks to Emma Stone's outstanding performance (and voice). The songs draw you so emotionally into the film that you can't help but be swept along. Some of the visual compositions are simply brilliant. That said, for a musical there were (unfortunately) rather few songs—no matter. Absolutely worth watching and listening to.

• A romantic film depicting two young people taking on their dreams, capturing their wavering emotions and the conflict between aspirations and reality. You are captivated right from the vibrant opening song and dance number. Emma Stone is adorable as Mia, with colorful costumes and numerous wonderful outfit changes throughout. Ryan Gosling is fantastic as Seb, a jazz pianist dreaming of his own club, and his playing scenes are marvelous. The waltz sequence at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles was especially striking and gorgeous.

• The music leaves such a lasting impression. From the opening moments you are drawn straight into its universe, and the piano melodies stay with you long after the film ends. I love that Mia and Sebastian's romance isn't overly sanitized. It is bittersweet that the very dreams that drew them together end up pulling them apart. The visuals and color palette are gorgeous—the Los Angeles sunsets, nightscapes, and costumes truly give you that wonderful feeling of 'watching a movie!' It doesn't shy away from the heartache of chasing a dream either.

• Contrary to what the poster might suggest, La La Land is not merely a tribute to the Golden Age Hollywood musicals that inspired so many daydreams. It is quite simply an ode to those dreamers who never stop believing, even when everything seems stacked against them. And just as with Whiplash, his second feature, Chazelle approaches it in the most direct way possible. His love of art is filmed, sung, and danced.

1 / 5