Di💫’s review published on Letterboxd:
Ryan Gosling is destined to portray a man who falls in love with a charming ginger girl who reciprocates his affection, but alas, they cannot easily be together. After five years, their paths cross again, and all their memories about their great love are brought back. I'm referring to "The Notebook" and "La La Land." I'll attempt not to get too emotional in this review, a challenge for me since usually I get emotional about movies I love.
So instead, let's delve into the emotions of the two main characters in the movie. Both Mia and Sebastian are emotional human beings who somewhat know what they want to do in life, yet a lack of confidence and non-absolute clarity hinders them. They feel a strong emotional connection when they are together: they like looking at each other silently, sharing their dreams and envisioning their artistic success. Consequently, they are desperately compelled to pursue careers in music and theatre, as it is their long-term dream. No person can be truly happy unless they realize their full potential. Despite their profound mutual affection, they part ways to build their careers and lives separately.
Is it sad?
Yes, it is somewhat bitter, given the fact that they were madly in love. Perhaps they met each other at the wrong time or in the wrong place.
Indeed, they did so. This is vividly portrayed in the last 30 minutes, projecting what their lives could have been with slightly different choices—the butterfly effect.
Did they sacrifice their happiness for success?
It's hard to say. It seems they could have found success together with a bit of time, patience, and understanding. However, their extreme emotional natures made growing together not an immediate option. Still, all of that is clear in hindsight.
Mia marries and has a daughter with a man who appears to be more stable and balanced. She, in her turn, seems secure with him. It's unclear whether her heart still belongs to Sebastian after all those years or if it's just warm memories from a romantic and pivotal period of her life that make her shed a tear.
As they say, time heals all wounds.
What I really appreciate is when, in the end of the movie in the jazz cafe, Mia smiles broadly at Sebastian, and he reciprocates with a smile that contains all the love and passion they once shared. This heart-warming moment captivated me because it conveyed more than passing as strangers—it said, with eyes and smiles, "I remember everything great between us, respect it, am grateful for what you did for me, and genuinely wish you the best."
They moved on with due respect.
Is it a happy ending?
It can be considered one since they radiate positive thoughts and feelings towards each other.
What else?
I want to mention the deligently tasteful decorations, preparations, and costumes used in the movie. All of it accelerates the desperate and romantic atmosphere throughout the film. Additionally, I thought about the movie "Barbie 2023" since they also used fancy decorations and clothes in that movie. However, it failed to convey a deep sense and meaning beyond the superficial fancy stuff. Beautiful dolls but empty inside.
One thing I know for sure is that I do want to rewatch this movie after several years to see how my perspectives may have shifted and what I may think of the movie by that time.
