Best Musical Ever?

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2016)

OK, I know. The Sound of Music, The King and I, White Christmas.
I didn't really like any of those. I recognize that they are great, timeless films that many people love, including family members and friends of mine, but if I personally had to pick a least favorite genre of movie, I'd have to go with musical. But, my God, this was great! In fact, it's my second favorite movie of the year after Hacksaw Ridge.
This is a colorful, amazingly directed, beautifully filmed movie that puts the music in musical without hitting you over the head with it. In most musicals, there is a song every five minutes, and I'm sitting there face-palming myself: "Another one? ALREADY?!" However, La La Land spaces out its musical acts, so that you appreciate them more when they appear. And, while I wasn't crazy about all of the songs, most of the music in the film is gorgeous. It also has an amazing ending, several moments of comedy, and a generous dose of warmth and feeling, without becoming too sappy.
The only complaints I can come up with are a lack of explanation for a certain plot point (but the filmmakers probably wanted this aspect to be left open to interpretation), and the fact that Gosling and Stone are not professional singers. However, this makes the characters more believable in a way, and you are certainly invited to relate to them.
Much like The Magnificent Seven attempted to resurrect the Western earlier this year, (and I enjoyed that film greatly as well) La La Land set out to bring the musical back from the grave-- and if they can make more that are this good, I say go for it. Once again, these thoughts come from a cinephile that doesn't like musicals. If you're like me, I still highly recommend this film, and if you do like musicals, boy, you're in for a REAL treat. Move over, Hamilton!