Ok so I just got done watching "La La Land." There is A LOT TO DISCUSS. First off: y'all need to see this movie. I don't care how you do it but you need to see this movie. Second: If you are obsessed with musicals like I am, then this is DEFINITELY the movie for you. If you are not a musical fan, I guarantee you you are still gonna love this movie. Here's why:
1.) THE VISUALS!!! -- "La La Land" is STUNNING. The opening scene alone will take your breath away -- a sea of people in different bright colors singing about making it big in Hollywood in bumper-to-bumper traffic (where else would y'all break out in song???). It only gets better from there (see GIF above). There is tons of material to choose from (Ryan Gosling's Sebastian playing piano under a spotlight, the musical number behind a sunset, etc.) but my favorite visual has to be when Mia (played by Emma Stone) and Sebastian go to the museum. I don't wanna give what happens in this scene away...but I definitely started crying. IT'S MAGICAL.
2.) THE MUSIC. -- Obviously it's a musical so music is gonna be everywhere in the film. There's a very important detail to a musical that needs to be recognized -- the music has to be good. The music featured in a musical can't be just like any other song you would hear on the radio. It has to have power, depth and a way of haunting you long after you leave the theater. "La La Land" accomplishes just that. I downloaded the soundtrack as soon as I finished the movie. All of the music featured has a jazzy side to it (reminiscent of Sebastian's jazz background) but also sounds like the music you would hear from other classic musicals (ex. "Singin' in the Rain). It truly takes your breath away.
3.) Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling's chemistry -- I love these two actors separately. But when they are together in a movie...fireworks. I have loved them together ever since "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MOVIE LEAVE THIS POST WATCH IT AND COME BACK. IT'S SOOOO GOOD) and they did not disappoint in this movie. They just work so well with each other to the point where you personally feel the emotions that they experience. They are both incredible but when they are together, you know it's going to be a fantastic movie.
4.) Major Throwbacks -- I LOVE how this movie has items and features that were little reminders of "Old Hollywood." From Sebastian's car/outfits to Mia's bedroom, you felt like you were in the middle of the 1950's. The best part about the throwbacks was...no one else got the memo. Everyone else in the movie was dressed in modern Los Angeles gear except for Sebastian and Mia. It almost made it seem like they were in their own little world, away from the "new" L.A. and focused on what was beautiful back then -- the music, movies and each other.
5.) The Message -- I know it's gonna be super cheesy saying the message is "Follow your dreams!!! Believe in yourself!!!! Blah Blah Blah" but that's seriously what I think the message of this musical is. If you wanna do something that going to make you happy, then do whatever it takes to get there. Don't listen to others opinions on what's "cool" and what works and what doesn't -- what you think is cool is cool. What you think works does work. Don't let anyone tell you different. You do you boo. Ok. Rant over.
"La La Land" is a truly beautiful film that will blow your mind, melt your heart, and make you cry. That's only some of the emotions that you will feel. Seriously. Watch it.
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Peace Out Girl Scout,