*This review does contain a few spoilers*
‘Here’s to the ones who dream / Foolish as they may seem. / Here’s to the hearts that ache. / Here’s to the mess we make.’
I watched La La Land this weekend after seeing countless reviews and advertisments about this film. I genuinely knew NOTHING about it, I didn’t even know it was a musical until I started watching it.
The problem I find with highly reviewed movies is that my expectations are always incredibly high and 90% of the time, I end up disappointed.
The storyline revolves around Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) who both live in LA in hopes of following and achieving their individual dreams. Mia wishes to be an actress and goes to countless auditions only to be keep being knocked down, showing the sheer reality of how tough the film industry can truly be. Sebastian wishes to open up his own Jazz club to drive his passion for the classic music onto the local residents and tourists however in the process of trying to save money for his club, he joins a touring band and settles for something less than his dream.
Mia and Sebastian meet and click after a number of attempts and they fall in love hard and fast. For one reason or another they unfortunately end up breaking up and going their seperate ways. This film portrays the harsh reality of relationships instead of the usual ‘happy ever after’ we see the majority of the time.
The music and the soundtrack in this film is phenomenal. I cannot fault it. From the fun opening scene where everyone jumps out of the cars whilst in a traffic jam on the freeway to sing and dance together to the dramatic solo performed by Mia at an audition, the music really hits your emotions hard and captures you in the moment with the lyrics.
All of the settings have a 1950’s feel about them which runs parallel with Sebastian’s love for Jazz music and the choreography of the dance moves throughout the movie, which again I cannot fault.
I can completely understand why this film has won so many awards, it is a complete masterpiece in itself. Ryan & Emma have sublime on-screen chemistry and their love story is heartbreaking, however I personally felt like this film needed something more. The story is quite vague and there isn’t much excitement within the movie. I felt like I couldn’t emotionally connect to the charcters and that disappointed me whilst I was watching.
Overall, I can see this film being very popular for years and years to come, like one of the old school classics such as ‘Sound of Music’. It is beautiful to watch and it does deserve the awards that it has won.
Rating from me: 6/10
Have you seen La La Land? What did you think?
L xx
Wow it looks really good!! I can’t wait to watch this
Ellie
http://www.headintheclouds.me.uk
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I’ve heard so many amazing reviews about this which amazes me because I’d never heard of it before! I think I’ll definitely have to give it a watch, even if musicals aren’t really my type of thing!
XO
Ashley
https://ashlexyz.wordpress.com/
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i’m going to watch this so i had to quickly scan for the spoilers so i could miss that bit out haha! great post!
connor 👨🏽💻
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I absolutely loved it. I’m a huge fan of musical theatre, and I love seeing these films on the big screen. I’ve had City of Stars stuck in my head for weeks!
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I’ve heard so much about this on my timeline and I’m actually pretty tempted to watch it now after reading this!
– Chloe
chloetommo.co.uk
xoxo
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Was just released here going to watch it tomorrow!!! Absolutely can’t wait. Lovely review without giving too much away.
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Lovely review! Only recently have I seen the love for this film blossom, I don’t see the big attraction to it though. Might be because I’m not much of a fan of musicals, I might give it a go though to see what all the fuss is about!
Gemma | http://www.anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com
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This is a great review. I know that it won a ton of awards but I honestly have no desire to see it. I can’t even give a good reason or describe it. That’s what is so terrible. (: But I’m looking forward to the music.
Single Vegas Girl
http://singlevegasgirl.blogspot.com
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Great review, I honestly have been staying away from it because I don’t really like the look of the characters and I’m not a fan of Emma Stone and now I’m sure I won’t want to, just doesn’t seem for me at all! -Sarah xoxo
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A few friends of mine have been so obsessed with this movie! I should probably go out and see it haha. Great review! Xx Larice
https://hilarice.wordpress.com/
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I have heard a lot about this movie, but I’m not sure I would wanna watch it. I’m glad you liked it.
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I’m the same: when the reviews are too good I end up disappointed.. But I hope I won’t be with this one 🙂 x -K
http://www.corinneandkirsty.com
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Such a great review! Makes me really want to see this film!
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It’s always worrying when a movie gets so much praise before you’ve even seen it. I was so worried going in! It’s a shame you didn’t love La La Land, but I do see where you’re coming from 🙂
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