Banal and Superficial

Rating: 5/10 (5 January 2017)

La La Land . . . what can I say about La La Land.
First off, let me say that I love musicals (I can't wait to see Sing). I love music documentaries even if I don't like the artistes (yes Oasis, I'm looking at YOU) or even if I haven't heard of the band (Anvil: The Story of Anvil) and I adore films that feature great tracks such as Sing Street or films that feature tracks by the Rolling Stones or The Boss. But La La Land plummets to new depths of banality and superficiality. In fact the title sums it up ideally. The only time it perked up is towards the end.
Gosling and Stone do well in their roles but they can do better. The singing and dancing is nothing special and should not be compared to the magical musicals starring the likes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers etc
I do not understand all the Oscar buzz, in fact if this wins the Best Film Oscar I will scream my little head off.
Whiplash was wonderful but Damien Chazelle has not made a comparably decent follow up. In fact, the woefully underused J.K. Simmons should have thrown a cymbal at his head whilst screaming "this is dragging". 5/10