Gosling's film

Rating: 8/10 (25 January 2017)

Ryan Gosling proves to be one the most versatile actors working today with his performance in LA La Land. Who knew that he could also sing and dance. My previous favorite film of his is Lars and the Real Doll in which he plays an oddball who falls in love with a mail order doll and his family and friends to along with his illusions. His partner here is Emma Stone as an aspiring actress who works as a waitress and struggles to survive. Gosling is a jazz pianist, and, of course, they fall in love as they pursue their dreams. The music is good, including John Legend as a singer and band leader who provides an established star for Gosling to work with. I am not a fan of the musical genre, especially actors singing lines at each other. I find the format tedious. I was able to overcome my previous prejudices and actually sit back and appreciate the story. The ending in not a typically Hollywood one, so La La Land is one of the best movies of 2016.