Repentance

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2017)

I have always seen myself as an atheist in terms of musical genre. I simply have not believed in the genre; I have considered it to be extinct, painfully melodramatic, pathetic exaggerated, yes, the list of negative words ​​associated with musicals goes on ... But then I saw La La Land, and now I'm a believer.
The film is a punch in the face, on several levels. It is a liberating punch in the face against my cynical, intellectual and rational calculating side. To paraphrase Sebastian, one of the film's characters, the word "romance" should not be used in a bad sentence - and this film made me regain confidence in the romance.
The film is also a punch in the face regarding all technical elements, such as photo, scenery, costumes, music, etc. Pure enjoyment! The scene when the camera (Linus Sandgren) jumps into the pool to the accompaniment of music and dance, is brilliant!
Finally, the film is also a punch in the face in terms of the emotional journey the audience goes through. I must say that the end is ingenious! (Spoiler alert) First, the director Chazelle reminds the viewer of the deep, sweet love. Then he strengthens the love. And just when we think the love story has reached it's climax, then we got a stab. Chazelle stabs us right in the heart. Ingeniously bittersweet!
Without this ending, the film would not be as emotional as it is. The bittersweet is more emotionally and physically tangible than the sweet and sentimental. James Cameron used this recipe in Titanic and it became a big win, and I think La La Land will receive the same fate.