La La Land

This film is such a fun, refreshing, unique piece of cinema which I believe deserved every award, including all 5 BAFTAs, it was given. I love its themes of ambition and how this intersects crudely with sustainable love. I love its soundtrack, the mix of jazz and classic musical numbers. I love its cast, both Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling delivering such an emotive and convincing performance. I love its visuals, both quirky and vibrant with the ability to convey the somewhat simple story of the characters in such a way that keeps you transfixed. But most of all I love its portrayal of raw life, how chasing a dream can simultaneously end another. And that while in hindsight is a precious thing, sometimes playing out what could’ve been, while a devastating endeavour, can provide the closure of which the need was still lingering.

Victoria Beaumont

La La Land is a critically acclaimed, creative and magical piece of cinema which has won seven golden globes, five BAFTAs and even six Oscars despite the best picture mix-up.

The film is set in modern day Los Angeles and stars Emma Stone as Mia, an aspiring actress who works as a part-time barista whilst trying to get her big break. Ryan Gosling stars alongside her as Sebastian, a pianist with an ambition to open his own Jazz Club. The narrative follows the pair falling in love and pursuing their own ambitions through a wonderful combination of smooth romance and comedy.

Though the musical numbers are glamorously vibrant the natural rawness of Stone and Gosling’s singing helps give the film a greater depth and stronger emotional resonance than simple glossy vocals could provide.

The director Damien Chazelle, who previously directed Whiplash, artfully uses semiotics to evoke a sense of nostalgia associated with the classical musicals of the 1960s as bright colours and spotlights dance across the screen, enlivened by the jazz-pop soundtrack.

La La Land grounds the magic of musicals in modern life whilst evoking a sense of charm and adventure in which Chazelle both reminisces about the old Hollywood pictures and innovatively sets the ground for the future of film-making by firmly rooting La La Land amongst the classics.

Taking place against the backdrop of glamorous contemporary LA infused in a warm 1950s undertone, the story follows two creatively driven young people, Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastien (Ryan Gosling), who meet several times and fall in love due to their shared longing to turn their dreams into a reality. Mia aspires to become a successful actress and Sebastien’s passion for old-school jazz leads him in trying to open his own jazz club. However as they encourage each other to pursue their goals, they face several hardships and struggles that threatens their ability to keep their relationship from falling apart.

It’s a film that is all at once daring and bold, bittersweet and sentimental, fun and entertaining. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone both have natural chemistry as an on-screen couple which is enjoyable to watch. The singing and music provide their love story with genuine soul and a lively spirit which only enhances the film’s magical yet down-to-earth character and provides it with a classic edge that will leave you feeling a strong sense of nostalgia and inspiration.