“La La Land” Review

I’m not the biggest fan of musicals, but I can’t get this one out of my head. The immature, kaleidoscopic, candy cane romance that is “La La Land” is exactly why I love the movies. It has a beautiful surrealism that is irresistibly sweet and wonderful in every way.

Much of what I praise in the film hangs on the shoulders of only three people, one of them being Director Damien Chazelle and the other two being the romantic leads Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. Mia (Stone) is a desperate soul working at a cafe on a film studio lot earning just enough to pay the bills. Her dream is to make it in Hollywood as an actress, but a breakthrough role is nowhere in sight despite her many painful auditions and line reads. Complementarily, Sebastian (Gosling) is a part-time pianist at a small restaurant, until he’s fired when he performs a bit of his own experimental jazz. His dream is to open his own club where he could have the freedom to play whatever he wants with whomever he wants.

They complement each other in that they’re both helplessly obsessed with a dream that is silly and stupid, yet refuse to cease pursuing it.

The plot itself is reminiscent of many traditional romantic musicals but director/writer Damien Chazelle’s scope and the couple’s performance are light years beyond that of any other film in the genre. Stone and Gosling’s chemistry is nothing short of absolutely adorable. They’re both tragically delusional and yet perfect for each other. Their aspirations for their relationship are beautifully illustrated through epic variegated set pieces with meticulously designed dance numbers. It’s really something you need to see to believe.

That’s the best part really. You are so completely enthralled and immersed into this couple’s journey, a journey packed full of humor and humanity that too many other films fail to replicate. It’s a universe you yearn to return to because it’s so rare. It feels like being in love.

Director Chazelle clearly understands what love looks like on the big screen. He decorates the frame with color, something that today many directors are afraid to do. He is also unafraid of paying homage to previous successful musicals like “Singin’ in the Rain.” After his Oscar-winning drama “Whiplash” (2014) garnered such universal acclaim, he’s made an unexpectedly powerful return to the movies. I really want to see more from this guy and I probably will, based on the Oscar buzz this film has received (and deserves).

To all you readers with that one crush on your mind, ask that special person out to this one. It’s not that scary, just buy two tickets, play it cool, pay for dinner and pull the old yawning-arm-trick thingy during the film. I promise you true romance to come. Thank me later. To those of you who already have that special person, lay off on making out for too long in the theater, even though it may be tempting.

Of course, I couldn’t blame you; this film is something special.