LA LA LAND (2016)

Summary:

La La Land is a vibrant and bittersweet musical romantic drama that chronicles the intertwined lives of an aspiring actress, Mia Dolan, and a dedicated jazz pianist, Sebastian Wilder, as they navigate the complexities of their artistic dreams and burgeoning love in modern-day Los Angeles. The film masterfully blends the nostalgic charm of classic Hollywood musicals with a contemporary narrative, exploring the sacrifices and compromises inherent in the pursuit of greatness.

Set against the iconic backdrop of Los Angeles, the movie delves into themes of ambition, passion, and the often-painful choices individuals must make when their personal aspirations clash with their romantic commitments. It's a visually stunning and emotionally resonant story that celebrates the magic of dreams while acknowledging the poignant realities of life, leaving audiences with a lingering sense of both hope and melancholy.

Keywords: La La Land, 2016, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Musical, Romance, Drama.

Plot:

The film opens on a traffic-clogged Los Angeles freeway, where drivers spontaneously burst into an elaborate song and dance number, "Another Day of Sun," epitomizing the city's blend of optimism and struggle. Amidst this chaos, Mia Dolan, an aspiring actress, has a brief, frustrated encounter with Sebastian Wilder, a jazz pianist, as he honks at her while she's rehearsing lines. Their paths cross again at a restaurant where Sebastian is playing Christmas carols against his will; fired for improvising his own jazz composition, he storms out, brushing past Mia who had been captivated by his music. Mia later tries to praise him, but he rudely rebuffs her, leaving her feeling dismissed.

Their next meeting occurs at a pool party where Sebastian is playing 80s pop songs. Mia, seeing him, requests a song by A-Ha, playfully mocking him for his previous snobbishness. He retaliates by dedicating "I Ran (So Far Away)" to her, then quickly disappears. Later, Mia is dragged to a screening of "Rebel Without a Cause," but her date's phone call interrupts the film. She walks out and finds herself drawn to the sound of Sebastian playing a melancholic jazz tune at a piano bar. This time, their conversation flows more easily, and despite their initial friction, a connection begins to form. They take a stroll to their cars, ending up at the Griffith Observatory, where they perform an elaborate, gravity-defying tap dance number, "A Lovely Night," under the stars, acknowledging their mutual dislike but undeniable chemistry.

As their relationship develops, they spend more time together, sharing their dreams and frustrations. Mia, working as a barista on the Warner Bros. lot, endures countless humiliating auditions, while Sebastian dreams of opening his own jazz club to preserve traditional jazz, lamenting its decline. He takes her to a jazz club, explaining his passion and the genre's rich history, further cementing their bond. Their romance blossoms through a series of romantic montages, including a visit to the Lighthouse Cafe, where Sebastian's sister introduces him to a former classmate, Keith. Mia encourages Sebastian to pursue his music more actively, inspiring him to write his own compositions.

Sebastian, struggling financially, takes a job playing keyboard in a contemporary jazz fusion band, "The Messengers," led by Keith. The band achieves unexpected success, touring extensively. While Sebastian is on tour, Mia dedicates herself to writing a one-woman play, pouring her heart and soul into the project. The distance and Sebastian's demanding schedule begin to strain their relationship. During a rare visit home, Sebastian misses Mia's opening night for her play, having forgotten due to a photoshoot. Mia's play, a deeply personal piece, is poorly attended and receives a devastating review, leaving her heartbroken and humiliated.

A heated argument ensues between Mia and Sebastian. Mia criticizes Sebastian for joining a band he doesn't truly believe in, accusing him of abandoning his artistic integrity for commercial success. Sebastian counters, accusing Mia of being self-absorbed and dismissive of his efforts to provide stability, pointing out that she wanted him to be successful. The argument culminates in a painful realization that their dreams, while once aligned, are now pulling them in different directions. Mia, utterly dejected by the failure of her play and the state of her relationship, decides to give up on acting and moves back to Boulder City, Nevada, with her family.

Despite their argument, Sebastian receives a call from a casting director who saw Mia's play and was deeply impressed. They want her to audition for a major film role. Sebastian drives to Nevada to convince Mia to attend the audition. Initially reluctant and defeated, Mia is ultimately persuaded by Sebastian's unwavering belief in her talent and his encouragement to pursue this life-changing opportunity. At the audition, she performs a heartfelt monologue-song, "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)," about her aunt's inspiring journey and the courage of dreamers. The audition is a resounding success, setting her on a path to stardom.

Before Mia leaves for Paris to film the movie, they share a final, poignant moment overlooking the city. They reflect on their love and the choices they've made, acknowledging that their individual paths are diverging. They promise to always love each other, but the unspoken understanding is that their romantic journey has reached its end. Five years later, Mia is a famous actress, married to another man and with a child. Sebastian has finally achieved his dream, owning and running his own successful jazz club, "Seb's," which is thriving and preserving the jazz tradition he loves.

One evening, Mia and her husband stumble upon Seb's. As Mia enters the club, she recognizes Sebastian playing the piano. He sees her in the crowd, and a moment of intense eye contact passes between them. Sebastian begins to play their theme song, and the film launches into an elaborate "what if" fantasy sequence. This montage beautifully depicts an alternate reality where they stayed together, where Mia's play was a success, Sebastian never joined The Messengers, they married, had a child, and lived a life intertwined with both their artistic successes. The fantasy ends with Mia and Sebastian returning to the present moment, a silent acknowledgment of what could have been. As Mia and her husband leave, she shares a final, bittersweet smile with Sebastian, a quiet recognition of their shared past and the beautiful, yet separate, lives they now lead.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Ryan Gosling as Sebastian Wilder
• Emma Stone as Mia Dolan

Crew:

• Director: Damien Chazelle
• Writer: Damien Chazelle
• Producers: Fred Berger, Jordan Horowitz, Marc Platt
• Cinematography: Linus Sandgren
• Editor: Tom Cross
• Music: Justin Hurwitz

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: December 9, 2016 (Limited), December 16, 2016 (Wide)
• Language: English
• Genre: Musical, Romance, Drama
• Running Time: 128 minutes
• Accolades: 6 Academy Awards (including Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Score, Best Original Song "City of Stars"), 7 Golden Globe Awards (record for most wins by a single film).