NinthShinigami’s review published on Letterboxd:
In my middle school years, a little film called La La Land came out that was popular with damn near all the girls and teachers. 11 year old me decided to give it a watch, and besides the at times catchy tunes, I really didn’t find much there for me to enjoy. Cut to years later, I’m a full blown cinephile and 18, seeking redemption at all the movies I’ve wronged with my outrageously pedestrian and completely horrible takes. I’ve made my amends with Interstellar, Caesar of The Planet of The Apes, Maximillian who happens to be Mad, as well as others I can’t quite remember right now, and now, it’s time I make amends with La La Land. The follower who sent me on this part of my quest to redemption was @SimpleKNight, so thank you for sending me towards this films way again man!
The very first thing I need to praise here is the cinematography and visual aesthetic and style of the film. 11 year old me was blind as a bat not to appreciate such spectacular set design, color palette and scheme matching the tone and vibe of the scene, as well as the lighting and camera work, usually moving in such a linear fashion as to capture the sets beautifully and with as much visual pleasure as possible. Even if you could hate and criticize the writing or whatever else of this film, to me, this movie is a visual masterpiece. It is not a visual treat, it’s a visual feast. An all you can eat buffet for the eyes. It’s bar none, one of the most visually pleasing and absolutely beautiful looking films I’ve ever seen.
In terms of performances, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, sour cream and onion, they’re a perfect duo bro. They play off one another so well, and their chemistry is another phenomenal aspect about this film. The fact that Gosling also learned to play piano in the span of about three months for the film is some true dedication and shows why he’s such a great actor. The choreography of the two as well as all the other dancing scenes is great and falls perfectly in line with the score and songs. The soundtrack is also excellent, much catchier and pleasing to my ear now than before.
In terms of story and characters, the film excels as well. Mia and Sebastian are two characters each chasing after their dreams. Mia wanting to be an actress, Sebastian wanting to save jazz and open his own club. The passion both have beam thru their dynamic and dialogue with one another, and how they both help each other to further attain their goals is narratively impactful as it is heartwarming to watch. Whether it’s bonding over jazz and what it means, the several different components as to what makes it so grand and what it takes to change it, or acting and writing. “People love what other people are passionate about.” A line so true and that speaks volumes as to why arts are so much appreciated.
Their dynamic doesn’t come without a couple of bumps in the road tho, and ultimately, it leads them both on their own separate paths. Coming back to this film while still having Past Lives still in my memory, it felt like the same thing again, only that with La La Land, it’s meant to show how people can come into your life and change you or inspire you. Mia and Sebastian came into each others lives, and while their love for each other didn’t last, although it kinda did given the line “I’m always gonna love you,” they remained forever changed and ultimately even better. Mia wasn’t so pessimistic about her potential, and neither was Sebastian. They made each other that much more confident in themselves. They may not have ended up together, but they’re exactly where they wanted to be.
Sometimes passion comes with a cost. If anyone’s taught us that, it’s definitely Damien Chazelle *looks at Whiplash.* The saying goes that sometimes, people just come into your life for a season, and are gone the next. I think the film even being structured and split into the different seasons of the year, looping back around with winter, adds much weight to the film and what it’s trying to say and explore with the two characters. It was most certainly worth the rewatch and I’ve definitely come to love and appreciate this film. I can see now why this is damn near almost everyone’s favorite movies or one of their many favorites haha. Thank you again @SimpleKNight
