A love letter to a bygone era, La La Land is anything but lost in its sentiment. One of the rare films in which blatant feelings and drastic heartstring-tugging actually work, this picture is a shining example of a true rom-com musical (To be fair, I'd call it a rom-dram, because the comedy by no means outweighs the final act melancholy). Featuring original jazz music and charming dances, the film sweeps us up in its otherwise familiar plot: up-and-coming young artists navigate their way through sunny Los Angeles in pursuit of their dreams. Despite being filmed in Cinemascope, the film keeps us intimate with these players: one, a barista hoping to be an actor, meets the other, a jazz pianist yearning for his big break, and the two fall madly in love. Their affections and aspirations meld together as they, in turn, achieve successes and failures. Eventually, they (and, by extension, we) learn the cost of following their dreams, and that wishes require sacrifice.
And yet, for all its nostalgic joie de vivre, this film may prove a game-changer for movie musicals. While many filmed musicals of the last decade or two, whether adapted or original, have been fresh and exciting in their own ways, none have declared themselves with this much innovation, style, or even sheer talent. Its simple story and direct execution belie a whirlwind of emotion and surprising spectacle, the impact of which will stay with audiences long after the credits roll. I dare you to try not dancing out of the theater at the end. Handled by the confident, technically excellent Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), the jazz and vibrant colors soak into our ears and eyes with intoxicating effect, transporting us to a realm of near-perfect escape. While I've often railed against "escapist" films, this time it works. Maybe because, in our current political and social climate, and after so many timely, heavy films this year, such a flamboyantly joyous and heartfelt film is exactly what we all need.
Of course, as I mentioned already, not all is fun and flair. The compromises our leads make along the way return to haunt them in the end, and yet for all the emotions we feel, these characters learn to appreciate not just the good things in their lives. The final scene (comprising a disturbingly kitschy, nonverbal fever-dream dance sequence) is one of the most positive, affirming scenes ever seen on screen, and yet I was ugly crying so loudly I had to cover my lower face with a knotted scarf. For a meditation on the differences between dreams and reality, love and desire, hope and work, and separating what is really around us from what we feel or want from our surroundings, La La Land is the film to beat this season. It's a consummate work of art.
IMDb: La La Land
No comments:
Post a Comment