Magical and warming, a true cinematic great.

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2017)

Admittedly this was the first time experiencing a romantic musical at the cinema for me, and I was a little apprehensive. Drawn in by the accolades it had received however, my wife and I decided to give it a go and took our seats at the local movie theatre on a Saturday evening.
How good could a musical love story really be? Two hours later I had my answer and that answer was very very very good indeed.
The first twenty minutes or so of the movie is very much a full on musical affair, songs, huge dance sequences, very vibrant and colourful, and its OK if you like that sort of thing, but then there is a moment when the two main characters connect, and you connect with them and from that point onwards the film just gets better and better until the ending which stays with you for days afterwards along with the haunting piano melody of 'Mia and Sebastians' theme tune.
Gosling and Stones on-screen chemistry is the best you'll see all year, natural and believable they draw you right into the story. I can't imagine another two actors who would fit this movie as well as they do.
The other real star of the show is Los Angeles. This movie is a real homage to the city of angels. The sunsets, palm trees, beaches and warm colours of the horizon seen from the Hollywood hills adds to the romance and is all shot so beautifully that it makes you want to book a flight and visit.
Definitely a movie to watch at the cinema if you still can. If you connect with the characters and story then you most definitely won't regret it.