Would have been better without the musical bits....

Rating: 7/10 (15 January 2017)

La La Land has been winning all the plaudits recently. With almost everyone and their dog singing its praises. Pun intended. It also cleaned up at the Golden Globes, and will likely do the same at the Oscars, unless there is a backlash.
I'm going to take the contrary position and tell you that I don't agree. I liked it as a film, but think it would have been better without the set piece bits that make it a musical. I'm not saying there shouldn't have been any music in it. Quite the opposite. The music in the film that is performed in jazz clubs and concerts is excellent and fits into the story perfectly. There is even a version of City of Stars sung in the main characters apartment that advances the story. The City of Stars motif recurs throughout the film and is a fabulous piece of music. But there are about six sections in the film where the characters sing and dance rather than have a normal conversation. I think that these sections could be cut and it would make it a better film. Even if they are not replaced with anything.
Just my view. Admittedly, I'm not a fan of musicals. I rated it 7/10. It would probably have been a 9/10 if it wasn't for those six or so musical sections.