Straight from the outset, we’re in old-fashioned territory. Cinemascope, roman numerals and a title-card reminiscent of Singin’ In The Rain. After presenting a cruel world of musical ambition in Whiplash, Damien Chazelle crafts a love letter to ambition, delivered in a musical envelope. What he posts to us is effortlessly cool, and stunningly infectious.
Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) meet in the beautifully coloured LA with aspirations to be a jazz club owner and an actress, respectively. After a few “curt” encounters – which include the amusing sight of serious pianist Sebastian having to make ends meet in an 80s tribute band- the two begin to see each other and encourage their career pursuits. The two loveable leads have such chemistry that every scene feels genuine after collaborating on Crazy, Stupid Love and Gangster Squad, be it a romantic interlude of a blazing row. They also bring something rarely seen these days: the triple threat. Despite being Gosling being a novice pianist before production and the duo having to learn to sing and dance, Stone and Gosling have a clear Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers quality that will undoubtedly be iconic in years to come, and at the very least earn them Oscar nominations.
Choreographer Mandy Moore and composer Justin Jurwitz deserve equal credit to Chazelle’s vibrant direction, for without the captivating dancing of a dozen extras in a traffic jam set to the insanely catchy ‘Another Day In the Sun’, the opening set piece wouldn’t have anywhere near the impact. The same can be said about every musical piece, however. The glorious, theme-setting intro isn’t topped by any of the following (also superb) songs or dances, but the poster shot of Gosling and Stone tap-dancing overlooking LA comes close.
Optimistic idealism in a sun-kissed land of fame and artistic glory would be foolhardy, if Chazelle didn’t undercut it with necessary realism. Things don’t always work out, but no film will subconsciously control your feet, heart and facial muscles as much as La La Land; it will contort your cynical mouth into a giddy smile with its ubiquitous fun.
A WHOLEHEARTED FIVE STARS. – Luke.
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