La La Land is an American musical film from 2016. It celebrates classic Hollywood with nostalgia. Directed by Damien Chazelle, it stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Gosling plays a struggling jazz musician and Stone an aspiring actress.
They meet and fall in love while chasing their dreams in Los Angeles. The supporting cast includes John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, and J.K. Simmons.
La La Land premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2016. It was theatrically released in the United States on December 9 by Lionsgate.
The film emerged as a major commercial success. It grossed $472 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. La La Land received widespread critical acclaim.
Key Takeaways
- La La Land is a captivating modern-day musical romance set in Los Angeles
- The film follows the dreams of an aspiring actress and a dedicated jazz musician
- It pays homage to the grand tradition of classic Hollywood musicals
- Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s chemistry drives the film’s emotional resonance
- It grossed $472 million worldwide and received numerous accolades
Introduction
La La Land is a captivating musical romance set in modern-day Los Angeles. It follows the dreams of Mia Dolan, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian Wilder, a dedicated jazz musician. They navigate their careers while trying to reconcile future aspirations.
The film celebrates classic Hollywood musicals with vibrant numbers and stunning cinematography. It offers a unique, visually arresting depiction of the city of dreams through its lead actors’ chemistry.
Overview of the Film
La La Land pays homage to Hollywood’s golden age as a modern musical romance. It follows Mia, an aspiring actress working as a barista, and Sebastian, a struggling jazz musician aiming to open his club.
As they pursue dreams in Los Angeles, their paths cross, sparking a captivating romance. The film explores challenges faced in chasing artistic passions.
Synopsis
The narrative revolves around Mia and Sebastian’s dreams and aspirations. Their relationship faces strains due to miscommunications and unmet expectations, showcased through engaging repartee and unspoken connections.
The film follows a three-act structure with musical set pieces advancing the story. The turning point occurs halfway with Mia and Sebastian’s first kiss during a dance sequence at Griffith Observatory.
After a five-year jump, Mia’s a star, and Seb has his club, but Mia’s married to someone else. The epilogue reimagines their life together, forming a substantial part of the final act.
The Making of La La Land (2016) movie
Damien Chazelle had the idea for La La Land while in Harvard University. He was with Justin Hurwitz, the film’s composer.2
Chazelle loved musical films. He wanted to pay tribute to Los Angeles and artists pursuing dreams.2
The screenplay went through many changes. The production faced challenges before Summit Entertainment picked it up.2
Damien Chazelle’s Inspiration
Chazelle’s passion for musicals and love for Los Angeles inspired La La Land.2
The film celebrates classic Hollywood musicals. It explores challenges aspiring artists face in pursuing dreams.2
Pre-production and Casting
Various actors like Miles Teller and Emma Watson were considered for lead roles.2
Eventually, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were cast as the leads.2
Chazelle assembled a talented ensemble for dance numbers and emotional storyline.2
Filming and Production
Filming took place in Los Angeles over a few months.2
The score, songs, and dance choreography were integral to production.2
The opening traffic jam musical number took 48 hours to film.2
Over 60 locations throughout Los Angeles were used for filming.2
Ryan Gosling spent hours learning piano for his role.2
Emma Stone honed her guitar skills despite being a singer and pianist.2
La La Land (2016) movie: A Celebration of Hollywood Musicals
La La Land pays homage to classic Hollywood musicals like Singin’ in the Rain.3 It combines musical, nostalgia, and romance genres into one fresh take.3 Chazelle blended modern sensibilities with nostalgic charm seamlessly.3
Homages to Classic Hollywood Musicals
The film evokes a nostalgic, old-school musical vibe.3 It pays tribute to classic Hollywood musicals’ grand tradition.4
The movie’s themes related to Hollywood’s past and jazz drew mixed reactions.4 However, the director’s talents were acknowledged, drawing comparisons to Whiplash.4
Music and Dance Numbers
The vibrant musical numbers capture the golden age’s magic.3 The jazz score added depth to touching scenes.3
Though some critics felt the musical elements lacked innovation, the score and songs elevated emotional resonance.4
The Stars: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone
La La Land’s success stems from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s captivating performances.5 Gosling brings intense charisma as Sebastian, a jazz musician preserving his beloved art.5 Stone delivers a career-defining role as Mia, an aspiring actress facing Hollywood’s realities.5
The undeniable chemistry between Gosling and Stone fuels the film’s emotional impact.5 Their previous collaborations in Crazy, Stupid, Love and Gangster Squad heightened their connection.5
Chazelle’s casting of Gosling and Stone proved pivotal for La La Land’s acclaim.5 Gosling’s passionate Sebastian and Stone’s determined Mia earned widespread critical praise.5 Their on-screen rapport from prior films intensified the emotional resonance.5
Critical Reception and Awards
La La Land received immense critical acclaim. Critics praised Damien Chazelle’s brilliant direction and screenplay. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s captivating performances were lauded. The enchanting score and visually stunning musical numbers enthralled viewers.
The film’s cinematography, costumes, and production design were celebrated.6
Box Office Success
La La Land was a major commercial triumph. With a modest $30 million budget, it grossed $472 million worldwide.7
Accolades and Recognition
La La Land garnered numerous prestigious accolades. It won a record-breaking seven Golden Globe Awards. The film received eleven BAFTA nominations, winning five.
At the Academy Awards, it earned a record-tying fourteen nominations. La La Land won six Oscars, including Best Director for Chazelle. At 32, he became the youngest Best Director winner.
The Enduring Legacy of La La Land (2016) movie
La La Land is widely praised as one of the best films of the 2010s and the 21st century.2 It’s considered a top musical and romantic movie.8 The film revived interest in classic Hollywood musicals with modern sensibilities.
Impact on the Musical Genre
La La Land explores dreams, love, and ambition’s sacrifices for creative passions. Its nostalgic visuals and lead actors’ chemistry made it a cinematic landmark. It showcases the musical genre’s enduring power to captivate audiences.
Themes of Dreams, Love, and Ambition
The “La La Land in Concert” series since 2017 highlights the movie’s music’s lasting popularity worldwide. Adapting it to Broadway allows deeper character and theme exploration through live performances, potentially widening the story’s appeal.
While past musicals like “One From the Heart” faced challenges, La La Land’s cultural impact and critical acclaim solidify its modern classic status. It exemplifies the musical genre’s power to inspire audiences.9
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Conclusion
La La Land captivates viewers with stunning visuals and emotional depth.10 It pays tribute to classic Hollywood musicals with a modern twist.7 The film’s enchanting performances, vibrant numbers, and masterful direction make it special.
The themes of dreams, love, and ambition resonate with audiences.11 It highlights the sacrifices creatives make for their passions.7 La La Land’s visual style, nostalgic charm, and lead actors’ chemistry cement its landmark status.
As Mia and Sebastian’s journey ends, we feel bittersweet wonder.11 Pursuing dreams may come at a cost, but finding fulfillment is transformative.
La La Land’s legacy will continue inspiring dreamers and silver screen admirers.
FAQ
What is the plot of La La Land (2016)?
La La Land is a musical romance. It follows the dreams of an aspiring actress, Mia Dolan. It also follows a dedicated jazz musician, Sebastian Wilder.
They navigate their careers in Los Angeles. They try to reconcile their dreams for the future. Los Angeles is the city of dreams.
Who were the key people involved in the making of La La Land?
La La Land was written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film’s score and original songs were composed by Justin Hurwitz.
The lead roles were played by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.
How does La La Land pay homage to classic Hollywood musicals?
La La Land draws inspiration from iconic Hollywood musicals. These include Singin’ in the Rain, An American in Paris, and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
The film blends nostalgic charm with modern sensibilities. Its vibrant musical numbers, choreography, and visual style pay tribute to the golden age of Hollywood.
What was the critical and commercial reception of La La Land?
La La Land received widespread critical acclaim. Critics praised Chazelle’s direction and screenplay, the performances, score, musical numbers, cinematography, and production design.
The film was a major commercial success. It grossed 2 million worldwide on a budget of million.
La La Land won numerous accolades, including seven wins at the 74th Golden Globe Awards.
What is the enduring legacy of La La Land?
La La Land is regarded as one of the best films of the 2010s and 21st century. It’s considered one of the best musical and romantic films of all time.
The film’s success revived interest in the classic Hollywood style, while infusing it with modern sensibilities. Its exploration of dreams, love, and ambition resonated with audiences.
La La Land’s visual style, nostalgic charm, and the chemistry between its lead actors have cemented its status as a cinematic landmark.
Source Links
- https://www.pitmanroaringtimes.com/2023/10/la-la-land-what-makes-it-the-best-romance-movie/
- https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/making-la-la-land-important-modern-cinema/story?id=45112391
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/la-la-land
- https://jamesjguild.com/blog/2017/5/31/movie-review-lala-land-is-a-fun-time-at-the-movies-but-ryan-gosling-is-no-fred-astaire
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3783958/
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/la_la_land
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_La_Land
- https://screenrant.com/la-la-land-musical-coming-to-broadway/
- https://blog.shotdeck.com/2023/05/16/bright-lights-big-dreams-the-enduring-legacy-of-one-from-the-heart/
- https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2023/03/23/an-analysis-of-la-la-lands-ending/
- https://maristbluegold.com/2805/opinion/why-the-ending-of-la-la-land-isnt-sad/
