California Dreaming

Rating: 9/10 (20 February 2017)

The first time I saw this movie was before my resolution to write reviews on all theater movies but I just saw it for a second time which was a very good choice. Being able to watch and enjoy twice added because I was able to not only appreciate the story but see a lot of the technical side, too.
This movie is a perfect romance. The story of not just two people falling in love but two people falling in love with their craft. Ryan Gosling loves jazz and wants to open a jazz bar, and Emma Stone loves acting and aspires to be an actress. The movie follows them through the changing seasons of a year as their relationship develops and they strive for their goals. Oh and there is singing.
I think what changed for me upon second viewing was that I did not enjoy Emma as much as the first time. She is a fine actor but some of her mannerisms threw me especially her singing. Goslings singing wasn't fantastic either but I like that both of them are just being real with their voices and aren't some famous singer like the cameos by John Legend that I still didn't like even on the first viewing.
What changed in a good way was that, again, the technical aspect was amazing. The camera work and coloring along with the directing and cinematography were all spot on. I found myself many times marveling at a certain shot or way that the camera follows people around a busy highway or crowded room. As with before, my favorite part is the ending flashback of what could have been that is so clever and enjoyable I would be fine just watching that part.
There is one final glare that I would like to address and that is the theme of this movie. It has already won massive awards including all seven of it's nominations at the golden globes and will no doubt be represented at the Oscars. This is a movie by Hollywood, for Hollywood, about Hollywood and I don't like that at all. To me it feels like a cop out. Any film maker knows that if they make a good movie about Hollywood that Hollywood will eat it up and give it every accolade that it can give and La La Land is no exception. It angers me because in a year with movies like Arrival, Moonlight, and Manchester by the Sea, I have a bad feeling that La La Land will dominate Oscars as well just because it is a movie about Hollywood and the voters are all Hollywood. Hopefully I am wrong but throughout the entire movie there is that lingering wink towards Hollywood and actors and actresses that this movie is for them which is unnecessary because every movie they make is for them, they don't need extra praise.