Musical. Step away if you do not want actors breaking
into song.
Are you still with me? La La Land is
absolutely delightful. It’s light, frothy, fun, and just joyous. It’s a
golden salute to Los Angeles, Hollywood, the film industry, jazz, and joy. Am I
gushing? Yes, I am.
Emma Stone (Mia) and Ryan Gosling (Sebastian) are not
necessarily strong singers or dancers, but they are on key and have rhythm and
they bring youth and exuberance to their roles. From the time they meet
to how they keep bumping into each other to how they bond and to how they move
upward in the world of creativity…oh it’s fun.
From the opening number – cars stopped on the freeway,
everyone getting out, singing, and dancing – to auditions, to jazz bars, to
soulful glances – this movie has it all. It’s fun to root for Mia and Sebastian
to “make it” – get chosen, be successful, work hard and sweat for the applause.
And this is a duo you want to be in love, to be successful , to make it all
work out. I won’t give anything further away. Go watch these crazy kids
and bask in their youth, their optimism, their hard work, and sacrifice. This
is a good movie about the arts – there are no overnight success stories. It’s a
lot of sweat and tears and gumption.
Fun song and dance numbers, fun palm tree backdrops, and you
just can’t go wrong with time spent with Emma and Ryan. They are excellent at
their craft and give it their all. La La Land represents
the soul of Hollywood. I predict happiness on Oscar night. We’ll see.
