David Monks’s review published on Letterboxd:
There’s a difference between good and bad fan-service. Like Into the Spider-Verse’s effective handling of the web slinger’s lore, what you find here is an astounding homage to musicals of a bygone era.
Minor spoilers to follow.
The cinematography and production design in this film is so engrossing to look at it takes you to somewhere else. It is literally larger than life. We get glimpses of this ‘larger-than-life” concept sprinkled throughout leading to a narratively satisfying finale that will last far behind the curtain closing. Seriously though, every scene is composed of immaculate understanding of this medium of art. Whether it is the long takes, the lighting and sets bringing forth satisfying colors (hats off to the costume designers as well!), or even great editing bringing the shot compositions together, La La Land delivers.
The score is lean enough, giving the picture an ability to bring earned moments to satisfying conclusions by the grace of restraint through its delicate songwriting talent. I still am amazed by the effectiveness of music in this film much like a Pixar film. The music. Oh, the music! It’s positively astounding and it is applied in a way that scenes effortlessly flow to each musical number. In other words, as a musical, it works, and it’s good. Justin Herwitz is something special, and when paired with Justin Paul and Benj Pasek for lyrics it is nothing short of masterful.
The Music is outstanding. While musical taste like any art is subjective, objectivity can still be used. Between music theory, orchestration, harmonics, and sound design, the music here is extremely well-crafted. Its orchestration is actually addicting in a way that makes you want to keep listening. There are few musicals for me that have a soundtrack this good, much less in the 21st century that it truly felt fresh. Come to think of it, the orchestration and songs themselves nail their placement in the film, so whether you listen to its album or enjoy it on screen, it’s a true delight. My only critique is that there are not more songs during its runtime!
The acting and especially the directing excel. The leads here are real to the viewer, and Emma Stone especially is so victorious that the film would work even without its other qualities. Thankfully, Damien Chazelle pulls no strings back from his violin and stoutly crafts a glorious experience with his vision and even his scene blocking. That’s what this truly is: an experience.
The sound design feels more akin to classic films. If you saw this film in a theater or have surround sound you would understand. It’s snappy as instruments are nicely placed and clearly heard and not sloppy, the orchestra comes primarily from the front just as an old movie palace would have had. The actual movie mixing was effectively crafted to be fully immersive while not overriding the ‘musical’ aspect of this film’s design. In other words, props to all the people involved in making this a feast for the ears too! It’s a musical after all!
The writing is solid. It is always competent and fits this film’s intentions. Almost every narrative thread, bit of dialogue regurgitated from the actors' mouths, and its pacing fit the story and each characters' identities. Scenes flow well, the result is unpredictable and is extremely capable throughout its runtime. La La Land has a sound structure to bound the picture’s incredible artistic merit on top of.
Minor Spoiler: Early on in the film’s story, there’s a musical number that finds the leads flirting, irresistibly in denial about not being fond of each other, but the perfectly synced choreography indicates that they play well together. The writing's wit is astounding, and that's certainly not the only moment.
For myself, and I’m sure others too, this film was singlehandedly the start of our adoration for cinema. I was mesmerized beginning to end. Upon multiple rewatches, as I have expanded my portfolio of film, I have only grown more fond of this masterpiece.
The feelings I get watching this ‘experience’ is something very special indeed, enough to call it my favorite silver screen moment, and I hope everyone finds theirs!
