More a Jazz Standard than a Cinema Classic

Rating: 8/10 (1 January 2017)

Now the awards season is here, the hype is a soprano 'A' on this movie musical. However, the first half hits some flat notes before rising to a soaring crescendo, and this was the problem for me in viewing La La Land.
I wanted to praise this movie so much more than I did. I love the previous work of all involved, and whilst they are all sublime, yet again, the first half seemed all a little too conceptual and made it hard to invest in the narrative.
However, it is in the last 30 minutes, this film is bang-on perfect, and the chemistry between the two leads really lands.
Part of what spoiled the movie for me were the previews. Too many of the dazzling scenes were revealed and I wasn't surprised enough by the story or execution, as I would have been if they had played their cards a little closer to their chests.
La La Land may well sweep the award season, and I wouldn't begrudge the film if it does so. I just so wanted it to be the classic many others purport it to be.