Looked forward to seeing this film - very disappointed

Rating: 3/10 (19 January 2017)

I went to this film with the expectation that I would be seeing a 'modern musical with a nostalgic twist'.
This expectation was delivered but generally in a mediocre way.
The much touted opening number was a technically accomplished cinematographic feat but the setting and choreography was rather bland and boring (I struggled to hear and care about the song for this number).
I found the 'repartee' between the two leads was a bit mumbled and not particularly witty or fun.
The dancing was very average and the songs and singing unmemorable (Mia and Seb's theme was bland and not what you would expect a jazz enthusiast to come up with).
Apart from the two leads, there were no other memorable characters or performances.
There was never a moment when I felt joy watching any of the scenes, which I suppose was the reason why I was most disappointed with the film.
A few interesting LA landmarks were showcased in the film but, again, the interesting settings were not really exploited by the choreography. For example, Mia and/or Seb could have danced on the round balcony at the observatory (what you would have expected a Fred or Gene to have done). If this was not allowed on the real balcony, the balcony could have been re-created on a set.
Ryan Gosling did not convey any great passion for either jazz or Mia, most of his facial expressions made it seem that he was a martyr to mild indigestion. He spoke a lot about his passions but you need to show this cinematically.
I enjoyed Emma Stone's performance much more. Some of her audition scenes were good and her performance of her last audition song was good (I thought the song itself was just OK).
To summarize, one of the few films that I was tempted to walk out on (but I was in the middle of a row), and one that I will never be tempted to watch again.