La La Land is Lovely

La La Land is beautiful. The movie has been coined by multiple sources as a love letter to LA. If I was Los Angles I would tap that.

Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) a jazz enthusiast and Mia (Emma Stone) an aspiring actress move in a bright fairytale of requited love and yet unrequited dreams. The story is driven by the choices they believe will lead them to the life LA promises.

The film flows like Los Angles itself, a clear sense of destination and purpose but without an urgency in movement. There is no shame in taking time on a scene. Director Damien Chazelle obviously took his time in setting the stage so he lingers in it. The enchanting score and choreography are given space to tell an emotional story outside of what lyrics or dialogue can convey in a way that many movies no longer have time for.

Every once in awhile Hollywood spits out a movie that pats itself on the back about how important it is (Hail, Caesar!, The Artist) but La La Land seemed to be more than that due in large part to the leads. It's hard not to fall in love with Emma Stone, she owns the charisma and charm of the older Hollywood era this film represents. The second time Mia and Sebastian run into each other (the first time he is an a**) he is playing in a cover band and she preforms a sassy mocking little dance directed towards him, and in that moment my heart was hers. The chemistry between the two is just as sparky as it was in Crazy, Stupid Love.

Lastly, a nod to the costumes. Mary Zophre creates character and mood with the dreamy technicolor dresses, suits, and oh my heart, the shoes. The shoes are perfect.

#Elizabeth #Lalaland #review