Musical deserves all the song and dance
THE frenzied expectation surrounding writer-director Damien Chazelle’s musical love story was deafening before La La Land won a record seven Golden Globe awards.
His impeccably crafted follow-up to Whiplash is the frontrunner for glory at the Oscars – and the hype is fully justified.
La La Land is a visually sumptuous, unabashedly swooning valentine to the golden age of Hollywood musicals, artfully tailored to modern sensibilities.
Yes, characters burst into catchy songs – composed by Justin Hurwitz, with snappy lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul – to express their churning emotions, while they tap, pirouette, twist and jive to Mandy Moore’s expressive choreography.
But there is more to Chazelle’s story of boy meets girl than doe-eyed glances and pat sentiment, including a heartwrenching second act that affirms the need for everyone to chase their dreams, but also acknowledges the acrid pill we must swallow when reality bites.
Aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) works as a barista in between auditions, which repeatedly end in crushing rejection.
On a traffic-jammed LA freeway, she encounters talented pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), who reveres jazz in its purest form but is forced to play saccharine standards by restaurant owner Bill (JK Simmons).
Sebastian is convinced he can spearhead a new appreciation for music until old classmate Keith (John Legend) casts doubt on his devotion to masters of a bygone era.
While Mia prepares to stage her semi-autobiographical one-woman show, Sebastian agrees to play keyboard in Keith’s soulless, chart-friendly band.
Frustrations between the couple come to a head in a fractious to and fro about artistic integrity.
La La Land marries directorial brio, tour-deforce performance and jaw-dropping design.
Gosling and Stone are individually luminous and electrifying as a double-act in highenergy song-and-dance sequences. Both are gifted emotionally wrought solos that galvanize Sebastian and Mia’s perilously fragile romance.
Chazelle’s film is a bittersweet confection laced with dry wit and an appreciation for the tug of war between love and career that requires sacrifices for both to triumph.