Cadinho93’s review published on Letterboxd:
🎶…And here's to the fools who dream, Crazy as they may seem, Here's to the hearts that break, Here's to the mess we make…🎶
La La Land is a wonderfully scripted and beautifully shot film that at times feels almost like a misty fantasy world where dreams can and do come true.
As magical as the title suggests, the film takes viewers on a phenomenal ride of love and ambition, but without turning a blind eye to the harsh realities of life. Why I say this is because the choices the characters make in the film have realistic and often heart-breaking consequences. The plot of the film may feel old school at times, but the beauty of it all lies in its wonderful execution and powerful performances by the lead cast.
Sebastian "Seb" Wilder (Ryan Gosling) and Amelia "Mia" Dolan (Emma Stone) do an amazing job portraying their character. You could tell exactly what the characters are feeling and their emotions. Mia and Sebastian have their personal conflicts and feelings, which as the film go on they both develop differently and uniquely.
What also adds to the beauty of "La La Land" is the music written by Justin Hurwitz, which I found captivating: a mix of so many styles, rhythms, instruments and tempos creating so many different moods, evoking so many emotions.
The highlight is the wonderful way in which Justin Hurwitz put together "Epilogue". The way he moves from full orchestral, to jazz band, to loud, high solo trumpet, then back into full orchestral with a crescendo of strings is sensational, I really have to give Damien Chazelle for directing the film in such detail and complex way.
Overall, the story, the characters, the acting, the views, the buildings, settings, special effects, choreography in ballet, waltz, tap, modern, in particular the music and the lyrics make "La La Land" a spectacular musical film that will leave you smiling at the end.
