One of the most enthralling, magical and enjoyable pieces of cinematic escapism and entertainment in years.

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2017)

A record breaking haul at this year's Golden Globes awards gives some indication as to just how special a film La La Land is. With 7 deserved awards including Best Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Score, and Best Actor gongs for both its lead stars, this has proved to be a powerhouse of cinema which will be remembered for some time.
Directed by Damien Chazelle following up on the excellent and critically acclaimed Whiplash, La La Land sees Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone deliver performances reminiscent of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in this hugely entertaining love letter to the golden age of Hollywood and traditional Jazz music.
A comedy, romance, drama and musical all encompassed into one sublime production, we follow Jazz musician Sebastian (Gosling) and aspiring actress Mia (Stone) as they seek to follow their dreams, and head down the road of self discovery and sacrifice. Having previously worked together on the brilliant Crazy, Stupid, Love (and not-so-brilliant Gangster Squad), the chemistry between the leads is palpable as they embark on a blossoming romance and enable each other to pursue their own ambitions.
This idea of following one's dream encapsulates the very essence of the movie and it is a theme enhanced by the majestic, fantastical and dream-like world which Chazelle has created for his protagonists; a beautifully crafted stage on which possibilities are endless if you persevere. Indeed, this Hollywood that Chazelle portrays is encased in a sense of nostalgia and romance for the lost magic of what music and movies were all about; art forms within which anything can happen and anything can be created. Such is the nostalgia here, Chazelle even filmed La La Land in wide-screen Cinema Scope as a deliberate homage to the style and feel of the movies from the 50s and earlier. There are references to this bygone age, too, with Mia discussing how she grew up watching classics like Casablanca and Bringing Up Baby. She even works at Warner Brother Studios where parts of the film take place and classic sets from vintage movies are seen. Sebastian, meanwhile, complains that "Jazz is dying" in a plea for this particular art to be saved yet struggles to make it relevant for a modern audience. He is asked, "how can you be a revolutionary when you are such a traditionalist?" and it is a question which was perhaps considered by Chazelle when creating this homage to a mainstream audience.
This vintage style is evident throughout the film and especially in the sporadic musical sequences in which Gosling and Stone were mesmerising as they performed their dance routines and songs with hugely impressive assurance and skill. Whereas Gosling's singing voice is perhaps on the weaker side, his delivery was perfectly befitting of the character he portrays, whilst Stone was utterly captivating in all of her routines, but particularly during her solo towards the end of the movie.
Both Sebastian and Mia are such likable characters who complement each other so well that they add a huge element of charm to an already uplifting premise. It's near impossible not to root for the both of them and support them as they pursue their dreams, and as such it's heartbreaking when we witness the sacrifices they have to make in order to do so. It is here the dramatic element comes into play, ensuring La La Land never becomes too saccharine or twee. It could have been easy for Chazelle to get lost in a world of fantasy and endless opportunity but he reigns in the nostalgia and the sentiment by bringing his characters back down to earth and reminds us that following one's dream is not easy nor simple, but that it takes hard work, perseverance, compromise and of course, sacrifice. Credit is therefore heaped further on Gosling and Stone who put Sebastian and Mia through a roller-coaster of emotions throughout, as they celebrate their successes, feel humiliated at their failures, and laugh and cry together. Perhaps the most heartening aspect of all is the way in which they support and encourage each other and refuse to let each other ever give up on their dreams; it's a hugely inspiring notion.
Complimenting this degree of restraint which Chazelle imposes on his protagonists, both Gosling and Stone deliver perfectly pitched and understated performances which also serve to enhance the sheer scale and scope of not just the musical sequences, but the production as a whole. This is perhaps epitomised by the very opening sequence; a single-take shot of an entire freeway traffic jam breaking out into a fanfare of song and dance which sets the standard for the rest of the film; catchy music, sublime choreography, and the panning out of the freeway in order to fit in the vast Los Angeles landscape hints at the grandiose nature of the production.
The music that is played throughout is not to be ignored. Justin Hurwitz had teamed up with Chazelle on Whiplash and returns here with a score and soundtrack that brings La La Land to life. For a musical, there are not actually that many song and dance routines, but music as a medium is a pivotal and consistent theme here and one that Chazelle ensures is not lost amongst the Hollywood nostalgia. The choreography also deserves a mention for enabling some truly memorable scenes, none more-so than Sebastian and Mia's first dance together in a setting which truly embodies the library of classics which Chazelle is paying tribute to.
Perfect performances (including solid support from the likes of J.K. Simmons and John Legend), fantastic routines and wonderful music all combine to tell a relatable message delivered by superbly written characters, which serves to make La La Land one of the most enthralling, magical and enjoyable pieces of cinematic escapism and entertainment in years.
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