a gem with full spectrum of emotions

Rating: 9/10 (6 December 2016)

Greetings again from the darkness. Is this a nostalgic throwback to the movie musicals of Stanley Donen and Fred Astaire, or is it a contemporary film designed to revitalize the movie musical genre in an era dominated by superheroes and sci-fi? However you might choose to label writer/director Damien Chazelle's follow-up to Whiplash (2014), it's clearly one of the best and most entertaining movies of the year.
While the opening credits are still rolling ("Presented in CinemaScope" being the first gag), the film kicks off with its only large scale (think Busby Berkeley on a L.A. freeway rather than in a swimming pool) musical production, "Another Day of Sun". It's also the first of 3 less-than-warm-and-fuzzy "meetings" between the two lead characters before they finally click.
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling light up the screen with the same incredible chemistry they displayed in Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011). Mia (Ms. Stone) is a struggling actress-wannabe working behind the counter at the Warner Brothers studio coffee shop. Sebastian (Mr. Gosling) is a pianist committed to the traditions of jazz music  even as he toils in a club playing mainstream tunes for folks who aren't even listening.
As their relationship develops, we get a tap dance number in the Mulholland Drive moonlight. Soon, Sebastian (kind of a brooding Gene Kelly or a dancing James Dean) is forced to make a choice between finding a way to open his own jazz club or compromising his integrity by making lots of money joining a "hot" band (led by John Legend), while Mia is focusing on auditions and her writing (which leads to a disastrous one-woman show).
Director Chazelle and cinematographer Linus Sandgren create a look in line with Singin' in the Rain, but a tone more suited to A Star is Born. There is no shortage of romance and music, but it's equally balanced with melancholy, foolish dreams, and shattered hopes. While it's an homage to old Hollywood, Los Angeles and movie musicals, it seems to gracefully swing between past and present – and reality and fantasy.
Mia has a bedroom wall mural of Ingrid Bergman, while Sebastian treasures his piano stool that once belonged to Hoagy Carmichael  two more examples of past and present intertwined. Ms. Stone and Mr. Gosling possess solid (not exceptional) singing voices, which aids in having the songs tell their story. Ms. Stone is quite a talent, and especially stands out in her audition scenes  we feel her pouring her heart out to casting agents who may or may not even be paying attention. It's remarkable work from her.
Supporting work is provided by Rosemarie DeWitt (as Sebastian's sister), JK Simmons (as a club owner and Sebastian's boss), Finn Wittrock (as Mia's boyfriend) and Damon Gupton. Also in supporting roles would be the Griffith Observatory (after a Rebel Without a Cause viewing), the Los Angeles scene, and the Warner Brothers lot.
The "What Could Have Been" ending sequence is top notch filmmaking in all aspects, and perfectly caps a movie that drips with nostalgia  while also being touching, funny, and downright fun. Watching this film is much like going through the ups and downs of a relationship, and it deserves to be seen on the big screen – enjoy the full palette of colors and the full spectrum of emotions (love and heartbreak, frustration, anger, and utter joy). This is one to tell your friends about  don't wait for them to tell you.