LA LA LAND (2017)

Genre: Musical
Running Length: 2:06
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend
Director: Damien Chazelle
Screenplay: Damien Chazelle

I dislike watching musicals.

But LA LA LAND was a different experience for me. Director and script writer Damien Chazelle who gave us the stunning Whiplash proves he is no one hit wonder with his second feature.

This film is beautiful to look at with its 1950s feel eventhough it is set in modern day. The camera work and approach somehow creates an immersive experience for the audience (perhaps it's the close ups). Musically however, the songs are not instantly memorable except for two songs, sung by both stars Gosling and Stone individually.  

Speaking of both our main stars, although they are very capable with their acting, singing and dancing, it's their chemistry that shines through. Their relationship feels believable. So much so, the cinema-goers in the cinema I was in were swooning and sighing out loud watching their characters falling in love.

So what made this film different from other musicals? I don't think it's the feeling of nostalgia, although there are plenty of it in the first 2/3 (which felt a little draggy to me). But it's the realism of the final 1/3 of this otherwise fairy tale-like movie that knocked me out of the park. Oh, that ending!

Although I felt this film could have benefited from snipping 15 mins from its running length, nevertheless, it's an emotionally satisfying movie. It reminds us that chasing after a dream demands a price.

Rating; 8.5/10