Can A Movie Be A Classic From Its Opening Weekend?!

Rating: 10/10 (27 February 2017)

Every once in awhile, a movie comes along that is so good that it almost feels strange to have lived in a world where the film didn't exist. "La La Land" is exactly that type of movie.
For a basic plot summary, "La La Land" tells the story of two young people trying to make a go of it in Los Angeles: Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a jazz musician with a dream of opening his own club. Mia (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress who never seems to have any luck in her auditions. After a couple of chance meetings, however, they discover that it may just take their beliefs in each other to make those dreams come true.
"La La Land" is a kind of throwback movie to Old Hollywood in that it is a musical filled with many singing and dancing numbers. Each song is spectacular (a production in and of itself) and is important to the overall plot and character development within the film. I can all but guarantee that you will be listening to the soundtrack for days, weeks, or potentially longer.
Perhaps what makes this an all-time classic from the opening credits, however, is its ability to combine those musical numbers with a rock-solid plot. This isn't a "fluff" picture by any stretch of the imagination, as it contains deep themes of perseverance, the power of relationships, and following one's dreams. The songs, dances, plots, and characters all weave together to create a perfect tapestry of emotion.
It doesn't hurt, obviously, that the chemistry between leads Gosling and Stone is absolutely off- the-charts...truly the stuff of legends. I now sort of understand why audiences some 80-90 years ago. Cultivated from their first film together ("Crazy Stupid Love"), the Gosling-Stone combination was perfect for "La La Land", as the relationship between their characters is what makes the whole thing work.
I could go on and on about the ways in which I was supremely impressed by "La La Land", but suffice it to say here that it was one of the most entertaining, emotional journeys that the cinema has taken me on in quite some time. This film will likely sweep the Academy Awards, and I wouldn't be disappointed if that indeed happens. My brother recently moved out to LA to pursue his own filmmaking dream, so "La La Land" also hit me on a personal level. For anyone who wants to pursue a dream, though, this is the movie for you.