Singing and dancing and acting, oh my...

Rating: 9/10 (8 January 2017)

I initially really wanted to see this film on the big screen; but, as wide release got closer, all the rave reviews put me off a bit - was it all hype? Were the Hollywood powers-that-be pushing the reviewers extra hard?
Well, regardless of my doubts, I went anyway and I was glad I did. This film hearkened back to the song and dance musicals of days gone by. But, with the added twist of using real actors; not professional singers and dancers. I felt this added a great deal to the movie - the characters were real people - people that sang and danced well; but, not perfectly. The producers could well have dubbed professional voices ala Marni Nixon for Natalie Wood in West Side Story; but, not doing so made this film so much more real.
Ryan Gosling is a very good actor. After seeing his work in the film, I'd have to say he is better than good. Has he made it to the pantheon of great actors? I'm not sure; but, his performance in La La Land was outstanding - he ran the full gamut of emotions and he can do more with a sly glance than many actors with better pedigrees.
Gosling had the perfect partner in Emma Stone; who, at times, appeared to be channeling Audrey Hepburn. Her eyes can evoke more emotion than almost anyone. In my opinion, she was quite excellent.
The film is fun and quite emotional at times - not a full box of tissues; but, a good handful would be nice to have.
But wait - there's more... This is somewhat of a musical, after all and I found the score to be absolutely perfect. Unlike most films, where the music can be setting a background mood, the music in La La Land is integral to the plot and the quality of the score raises the film to another level.
My suggestion would be to see this film now, on the biggest screen you can find. This is not a film for the home TV, unless you happen to have a full size Hollywood screening room in the basement.