This review may contain spoilers.
pharb🍉✝️’s review published on Letterboxd:
🎉 CELEBRATORY 150 FOLLOWERS REVIEW🎉
Thank you all once again for allowing my profile to hit 150 followers, I’m truly grateful. As promised, here is my analysis/review of my favorite movie, La La Land.
Film Summary:
It’s fitting that my favorite movie has probably my favorite opening. Another Day of Sun perfectly starts the feel of the movie as an optimistic romance. Not to mention, it’s extremely well coordinated and directed (which you can say about the rest of the film). This scene is followed by the introductions of the main two characters and their first interactions. After the I Ran scene, what is probably the most famous scene from this movie unfolds, A Lovely Night. Aside from being beautiful, this scene is, in my opinion, the start of Mia and Seb’s romance. This romance is built upon more with Seb meeting her at her coffee shop, and then meeting at the theatre to watch Rebel Without a Cause. Their romance is then solidified with the breathtakingly gorgeous planetarium scene. The two seem to have a brighter look at life, as does the movie. The transition to summer brings light shades of pinks and yellows to show a happier city with the happy couple. With Keith’s introduction, Seb’s next conflict begins: is it better to continue to do what he wants to do exactly how he wants, with less money, or make more money, but not be as passionate about the art? Meanwhile, Mia works on creating her play, So Long Boulder City. This leads to the first Fall scene, where Mia and Seb have dinner before Seb’s tour. Seb tries to tell Mia that he is happy and satisfied with where he is, but Mia correctly tells him that what he’s wanted and wants now is to open his own club. Soon after, Mia’s play is barely attended and not well received. She can’t repay the theatre, and Seb didn’t attend the play. Thus, despite Seb’s pleading, she leaves L.A. and goes back to Boulder City. However, when Seb receives news that Mia got an audition, he goes to tell Mia. This leads Mia to tell Seb that she doesn’t believe she’s good enough to achieve her dreams of becoming an actress. Sebastian and Mia debate the idea for a while, but Mia decides to come with Seb to L.A. to audition. Her audition (titled Audition) is one of, if not my favorite scene in all of cinema at this moment in my life. Afterwards, Seb and Mia talk about their plans, and Mia tells Sebastian that she’ll always love him. Winter begins, as an older Mia visits the coffee shop she used to work at and Seb plays the piano in a club. It is then revealed that Mia has made it as an actress, and has a husband and daughter. Also, Seb was able to open the club he wanted to open. Mia and her husband go out for the night and decide to visit a club called Seb’s. Seb and Mia see each other, and Seb begins to play the tune he played at Bill’s club at the beginning. At this point, the story shows what could’ve been for the two, in what can very well be described as a Hollywood ending. Seb doesn’t join The Messengers, Mia’s play is a success, Mia becomes a famous actress, Seb opens his club, and the two marry and live happily ever after. But, it didn’t work in real life. As Mia and her husband leave, Mia and Seb exchange a smile, and the film ends.
Why La La Land Is My Favorite Movie:
Movies are my favorite means of storytelling. It’s impossible to get everything you want, but you can be happy and satisfied. The film doesn’t feel like it’s lying about it’s ending, it feels like something that could’ve happened in real life. Also, the continuous themes throughout the film are great. The ending is my favorite in film so far. I love when films tie in previous parts of the film once the end is reached. These are some of my favorite parts of films such as Bo Burnham’s Inside or Rian Johnson’s Knives Out. I forget where, but I remember someone once said that the ending of La La Land is a maze of dominoes that the viewer doesn’t realize is being set up until it comes crashing down. I completely agree with this statement, as I always somehow forget that Mia and Seb don’t end up together in the end. In terms of how it was made, there’s really nothing new I can say. Damien Chazelle’s directing and editing is incredible, and I highly anticipate watching Whiplash because of it. All the actors were great, Emma Stone in particular. The score won all those Oscars for a reason, it’s pretty much perfect in my opinion.
Overall, this is my favorite movie because of its masterful storytelling, direction, and how it’s impacted me.
