Magic that only celluloid could deliver

Rating: 10/10 (9 January 2017)

La La Land is a pinch of heart-touching reality draped in a croissant of sweet fantasy with a flavor of jazz and the 60s. The film reaches deep as it explores the intensity and authenticity of one's pursuit of dreams, etching them in a technicolorish yet surrealistic canvas. However, it blurts out a squeeze of reality that chasing one's dreams no matter how authentic they seem, may not be the perfect path to happiness. Dreams after all are visions of what we haven't yet achieved; they rarely take us places where we already are blessed.
The film surrounds an idyllic relationship between a Jazz Pianist and a wannabe Actress which derives fuel from the individual passions of one another. Gosling is great in his typical shy-away from lens yet intense Scorpio-ish style, but Emma is stupendous. Her charm and vividness is the heart and soul of this film. The chemistry is bang-on and exudes undercurrents of bleak and innocent adolescence. The cinematographer has exploited the moods of viewers with exuberant use of colors. The hilltop dance sequence vividly reminds of "Singin' in the Rain", and shall definitely be remembered as a classic in the years to come.
Some realists may find it a tad too frivolous with frills, ribbons and unicorns but dreamers, prepare for a beautiful ride. The best of 2016, period.
P. S. JK Simmons still scares the crap outta me, please keep him away from musical things.