Must Watch! Best film of 2016. Hands down.

Rating: 9/10 (14 January 2017)

Damien Chazelle mesmerized people with his film "Whiplash" in 2014, so I had a feeling that this film of his would be good, especially since I am a sucker for musicals, but this was exponentially more than that. This film is by far the best film of the year and will get several awards in the near future. Including highly likely wins for best picture, best director, best original screenplay, best lead actress, and several others in costume-design, production, and score.
The film follows the life of a struggling actress, Mia, played by Emma Stone who is waiting for her big moment and a traditionalist jazz pianist, Sebastian, played by Ryan Gosling who is hoping to revitalize the beauty of jazz music by opening his own club. Both, who seem quite disparate at first, become intertwined in each other during their search for an answer for their disorderly lives. Mia and Sebastian blossom into a beautiful couple that plays perfectly thanks to the help of some great dance numbers, brilliant dialogue, and hints of comedic genius. Despite the amazing chemistry between the two protagonists, their relationship is sadly short-lived upon the realization that their dreams are a higher priority than one another. The film fast-forwards 5 years after the two of them drift apart into their respective careers, with Mia being a successful actress married to another man and Sebastian being a credible jazz club owner. The two former lovers run into one another at his club and the best part of the film ensues. Chazelle takes the audience through an epic "what if" montage that highlights what their lives could have been had they decided to stay together, but more so representing the delusional "La La Land" that they once had and could have maintained. Overall, we have a tendency to hold onto our convictions and this film takes that concept and demands us to continue to do so no matter how crazy they may seem because there is always hope, regardless of the outcome.
Amazing cinematography, perfect use of lighting, and some of the best music I've heard in a movie in a while. Everything about this film was done with such radiant passion from Chazelle, who may have done just enough to bring back the big-screen musical that once dominated the box office.
Ali's Rating: A