Dare to dream vs Reality

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2016)

I admit it. I had a preconceived perception that this film is overrated and hyped up. Maybe I felt like this because it's a musical. But the truth is that we are dealing with something exceptional. First of all, I'll divide the film into two separate parts. The first is the one which could call ''the musical part''. It's what you expect to watch in a classic musical. But there is a big difference here. The difference is called Damien Chazelle (''Whiplash''). This extremely talented young auteur creates a directing masterpiece. We should regard his work as a directing tutorial. The frames, the one-take moments and of course the brilliant jazz music are working on a perfect way to create a wonderful nostalgic atmosphere which looks alike a hyped 60's romance. Think about all these elements you adore about musicals, in addition with a superb directing. Now the second part is what makes this movie substantial and differentiates it from other musicals. I couldn't have thought, even at the beginning, that this story will be so powerful. The script is the quintessence of motivation, a hymn about dreams. The leading couple, Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone), balance their romance on their dreams and goals. They fall in love just because they inspire and motivate each other. But can this love endure the reality? Or, more essentially, can these utopian dreams overpower reality? Each character has goals and aspirations, but what does it really happen when reality strikes? Damien Chazelle knows how to reflect the right principles about life. La La Land is full of such principles and it turns into a big life-lesson, where Chazelle deciphers daily life and suggests that we dare to dream. Of course, the film won't be successful without the fiery leading duo. I think Emma Stone is a big surprise here with a performance which can be finally considered as first-class. On the other hand, Ryan Gosling is that kind of the actor who performs brilliantly at pretty much everything. Their very chemistry ensures film's success. La La Land is probably the best film of the year. It is realistic and dreamlike at the same time. It is a reflection of reality dressed up in a romantic, artistic, musical and theatrical outfit.