Critics are failing to see this movie for what it is

Rating: 9/10 (4 February 2017)

Let me start out by saying, I loved this movie. It didn't pretend to be anything it wasn't, it was just fun- something I usually look for in a movie. The problem is, the critics of this movie are trying to shoehorn it into categories it has no business being in, trying to force it into being something it's not. Well, then what is it? In order to answer that question, we must first answer the question of what it is not.
1. It's not a copycat, 1950's musical. I will admit, I loved some of the throwbacks to the old timey musicals of the glory days of Hollywood. Singing in the Rain is probably my all time favorite movie, so seeing La La Land pay homage to it, as well as some other classics, certainly made me happy. But that's all it was: an homage. This movie certainly had the feel of the iconic '50s musical ,but it's not. It's a modern adaptation of those musicals, one which allows us to see the flaws in the '50s musical way of looking at life.Comparing this film to others will not allow you to see it for what it truly is: a gem in and of itself .
2. It's not a mind bender. While there are definitely lessons and messages to be taken from this movie, reading to much into it causes you to lose sight of what it truly is. While there's certainly a place for the mind blowing, soul searching storytelling that we see in movies like Inception and Schindlers List, there's also a place for a story that just allows you to enjoy yourself, to laugh, maybe cry a little, to sit back and sing along as you allow yourself to have a good time.
So we've established what it's not, what it doesn't need to be compared to, so then what is La La Land?
1. It's a reversal of the traditional Hollywood stereotypes. You know the kind. The aforementioned '50s musicals are famous for them, although there are countless other examples throughout cinematic history. Boy with dreams meets girl with dreams, love gets in the way of dreams, love finds a way to overcome all odds, guy and girl both get to live our dreams with the love of their lives and ride off into the sunset together. Roll credits. How many movies do you know that fit that storyline? Because I can think of about a dozen off the top of my head. That's not how real life works, ladies and gentlemen. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you want to fulfill your dreams, or if you want to have a classic Hollywood romance, you're going to have to make sacrifices. Likely, you're going to have to choose one over the other. This film does what I've seen no other do: it allows the characters to make those sacrifices, to separate amicably, and still be happy. They don't regret their decisions. They are happy, even though they wish they didn't have to make those sacrifices. Through the traditional Hollywood ending that it montages at the end, you see how the musicals of old would have ended this film, what it could be. And then you see what is. The reality of the struggles of being a musician, of being an actress. It's hard. It takes sacrifice. And it allows the audience to see the effects of that sacrifice.
2. The music parallels what's happening in the story and continues the reversing of Hollywood stereotypes. A Lovely Night is essentially the polar opposite of every Hollywood meeting. And it's exactly what happens in real life. They know they like each other. We know they like each other. But they're not about to admit it to the other one. In fact, they're going to sing for 2 minutes about how they don't like each other. And Start a Fire is essentially the Hollywood version of love. Like the music that they want Sebastian to play, Start a Fire is a representation of what Hollywood pretends romance to be: dumbed down for the masses, all passion and no substance. Likewise, The Fools Who Dream glamorized the appeal of a career in Hollywood. It's all about the perks, and nothing about the hard labor and the sacrifices. . Perfectly placed and expertly written, the soundtrack is an excellent contrast to what a traditional Hollywood film would have done with this storyline. It allows you to see what Hollywood would have done with it, while at the same time, turning the whole notion on its head with the story itself .
3. It allows you to have fun. As I said, this movie can be sad, particularly at the end. And yet, it's thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. It doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. It's sappy. It's cheesy. The actors aren't the best singers or dancers. So what? It's fun. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me go out and buy the soundtrack, for goodness sakes, something I rarely ever do. It's just fun. And it proves that movies don't have to be any more than that.
So let the critics rail on this movie. Let them say it's overrated. I still maintain that they're trying to make it into something it was never meant to be. And I firmly believe that, if you see it for what it is, you will enjoy it just as much as I did. Say what you want, but I will be belting out every word to The Fools Who Dream in my car for years to come.