Sublime, Beautiful, and Award Worthy

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2017)

There are several scenes in 'La La Land' that have no dialogue; only a dreamy background score and the actors' expressions guide you through. The beautiful thing here is that you don't miss the spoken word at all. This and many other things make La La Land a subliminal watch. It is a gorgeous movie full of heart and soul and I loved every minute of it.
The film is a musical journey about an aspiring actress and an undervalued jazz musician who meet at a low point in their lives and keep running into each other until sparks fly. The story traces their life as they find themselves and pursue their dreams whilst falling in love. The musical genre isn't my favorite (odd I know since I adore Indian movies) but this isn't just about the song and dance routine though that's an integral part of the film. The movie starts with rush hour in LA and people from all walks of life sing their way through the chaos. This first number sets a tone that's rare for movies nowadays, joy. However, the movie isn't all happy, the characters grow, face rejection, fight, but interestingly the mood is never bleak. Its charm is infectious and leaves you wanting to tap your feet.
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling and perfectly cast as Mia and Sebastian. Ms. Stone delights as a struggling actress whose eyes speak volumes and who can make the most trivial of activities seem noteworthy. At the risk of sounding too cheesy she is the heart while Mr. Gosling is the soul of this gorgeous masterpiece. He is charming without arrogance. He is funny, slightly broken, and good- a lethal combination. Both complement each other marvelously and the chemistry they've built over the years can almost be touched.
There are ample songs in the narrative, of course, and they are enough to whet the palate without leaving you feeling burdened. The singing isn't perfect but we can't expect our actors to do everything flawlessly. The choreography and the ease with which the characters dance is applaudable. As the seasons change you notice brilliantly executed shifts in our leads without ever losing the essence of the movie. There's a fine screenplay at work here. Bravo Damien Chazelle, your vision is glorious. Watch this film, you'll find ample reasons to love it. I left the theatre feeling a little giddy with a smile on face. What more could I ask for?
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