La La Land
Nate

Review by Nate Pro

La La Land 2016

★★★

Rewatched 30 Apr 2021

City of stars.

(THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS)
I watched La la land for the first time years ago and I didn't like it nor enjoy it. Now is my second time watching this film, I wanted to see it again for myself and try to understand why everyone loves this so much. So, does my opinion change?

For starters, I don't really like musical genre. I just don't like the concept of people suddenly sing a long in the middle of the street for example.. it just feels and looks unrealistic for me. I know the purpose isn't being realistic instead building characters and making narratives with musics. It sounds and looks fun but eh.. I mean yeah I do like some songs (in this movie) but the concept of random people + main characters suddenly just dance and sing-a-long doesn't click for me. My thoughts about musicals is a bit complicated because I do like a few musicals for example in disney animations (like Mulan, it has a musical scene but It didn't bother me somehow).

The film tells a story of two people who's obsessed with their dream. They always run to each other for some reason. Ryan Gosling plays a character named Sebastian who has a dream to open a Jazz Club. Emma stone plays a character named Mia Dolan who has a dream to become an actress. Both can relate to each other because they both are struggling to achieve their dream. I like the theme of the film which is about 'chasing your dream'. I can relate to these characters because of how bad I want to achieve my dream. It's a good film about 'dream' and it's satisfying seeing them in the ending finally achieved their dream. BUT, the romance story didn't do it for me.

The romance in this film is... ok. They fall in love and date but all of those romantic moments betwen them ending up just for Mia marrying another man and for Sebastian well he's still single. I just thought it would be better if it wasn't romance. I mean the reason why they didn't end up together is because of their dream and I GET IT. Romance films don't always have two people end up together. This one just doesn't work and a bit inconsistent. Sebastian himself said he didn't want to meet anyone in the first minutes of the film. All he wanted just to accomplish his dream. But, after meeting Mia he suddenly falls for her and yeah his character is inconsistent. I'd rather have them as partners but not romantically. Just people who can relate and support each other. The romance was just bland, generic, and anticlimatic even though it looks sweet sometimes.

The musical aspect was.. eh. The only dance and musical i really like is just city of stars. I love that song a lot but the rest are forgettable. I also like the dance in the parking lot. That's the only musical parts i like the rest are eh..

I love Ryan Gosling a lot. I enjoyed his performance in this. Ngl seeing him makes me laugh a lot and I don't know why. Same goes to Emma Stone, I enjoyed her performance. Their performance in this was great. Emma Stone is definitely has the best performance. She deserved that award. Ryan's acting seems off sometimes but okay it doesn't bother me (a lil bias i know).

Okay this is the part where a lot of people discuss a lot which is the cinematography. I can't lie, the cinematography is beautiful. I love the use of vibrant colors in this film. The cinematography is really the best part of the film just because it looks so vibrant and beautiful. It may looks unrealistic and fake sometimes but it already feels unrealistic in the place so..

In conclusion.. I enjoyed it but it's forgettable. Today's watch is better than my first watch though. My first watch is nothing like this. I didn't enjoy it at all. For a romance film it's not a 'masterpiece' like anyone says. The musical.. well I only like and love City of stars. I don't hate it though.. I understand why so many people like this. It's just a good movie, nothing more or less.
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7.5/10

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