La La Land
Bob Hovey

Review by Bob Hovey Pro

La La Land 2016

★★★★★

Watched 15 Jan 2018

Beautiful songs, great acting, amazing cinematography, what's not to like? Well, I have to mention up front that I've always had problems with most musicals ... the self-conscious way characters burst into song, even when the song advances the plot, always struck me as too self-conscious and forced, usually disrupting the flow. Unless the song was a structural part of the narrative, as in "Once," where actors were playing musicians who were performing songs.

Still, my own prejudices aside, "La La Land" really shines, songs and all. But what really got me (and what I feel is the most powerful part of the film) is what it has to say about chasing dreams. Seb makes some great arguments about sticking to your guns and doing what you believe in, Mia teaches us about overcoming insecurities, and the entire the film proceeds to reflect the basic truths of those principles. The film succeeds surprisingly well on this level while also functioning as both a touching romance and a show business story.

It takes its time too ... there's atmosphere galore and enough character-building to bring the lead actors into crisp focus. Supporting actors are pretty much ignored, but that's OK because Mia (a struggling actress) and Seb (a frustrated Jazz musician) are really all that matter... everything in the frame, each bit of furniture, every street sign, each passerby, all seem to direct our attention back to Mia and Seb like they're the center of the universe.

This is a beautiful and well-put-together film in almost every respect, it's pure pleasure ... I can't say it'll make you love musicals, but it certainly will make you love this one.

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