Skip to content
La La Land – 2016 Chazelle
- Peter Travers said it best- Chazelle’s La La Land has a “passion for cinema that radiates every frame”. It’s a major achievement, one of the best films of the decade—Chazelle is throwing fastballs here and they’re all hitting
- There’s hints of Jacques Demy with the primary colors and the genre- with obvious indications of realism (perhaps not as down as Demy in some areas but it’s a story of unrequited love—which is unique for a musical)
- There’s I Am Cuba (or PT’s Boogie Nights) with the camera tracking through the party and going into the pool- a stunning sequence and shot
- There’s 8 ½ with the opening in the traffic jam and surrealism break
- There’s Singin’ in the Rain, Mulholland Drive (with the “audition” song/scene with Emma Stone), Rebel Without a Cause, Manhattan from Woody (the conservatory)
- Gloriously shot in CinemaScope
- The opening shot, the traffic jam—the tracking shot that also introduces the two characters- it has ambition, scope, humor (“winter” ironic)—it’s a sonic boom of cinematic style- the announcement of a major auteur- cinematography (camera movement) and choreography with detail in the décor and set design that leaves no stone unturned (every outfit and car color is careful chosen)
- Intentional! Green straws at the coffee shop where Stone works. Blue parka she wears, yellow umbrellas, purple trash cans outside her apartment, red light in the corner of their bed
- Whip pans galore
- The song again- “someone in the crowd”- camera is flying through their house in perfect rhythm. Scorsese shooting Singin’ in the Rain
- I couldn’t find a picture of it- but at Lipton’s place- after the beautiful drawings on the wall of the old Hollywood legends—there are red lights where Stone pauses—gorgeous lighting—cuts to his backstory after that
- Gosling and his chops playing piano—unreal—dedication—believably and suspending our disbelief- I like the Chet Baker voice
- Detail in the décor- Christmas lights at Lipton’s
- The comedic talents of the two actors is readily apparent—as is their chemistry- this is their third time working together already in their young careers— retro, nostalgic, 80’s- piano guitar and “I Ran”- comedic chops
- Ambitious and personal drive—auteuristic mark from Chazelle’s narratives— fate, compromise, determination
- The purple sky- magic hour in long takes—again later with “City of Stars” song at the magic hour- pier at dusk- stunningly beautiful picture frame on a wall décor
- Color tinting
- Their apartment together- the Vertigo-like “green light”
- Winner of 6 Oscars
- Their fight during “fall” season- no long takes or shared mise-en-scene between the actors- it’s cliché maybe with the editing but it’s exemplary. The execution is perfect.
- “audition” scene is the arrival of Emma Stone- actually it’s Birdman in 2014 but this performance, in this masterpiece, cements it
- The flashback at the end is so expressionistic
- It blows my mind that Chazelle and cast/crew did this in two years after Whiplash in 2014—
- Gosling is absolutely perfect for the silent finale where his heart is just about removed- he’s stoic, an actor that underplays almost everything- and there’s no better actor to just do the Steve McQueen thing and “say it with your face”. Stone may give the better performance but Gosling wins the last moment
- A Masterpiece
Drake2020-07-03T10:29:59+00:00
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Hey drake, do you think this a top 100-150 of all time film. I’m going to watch it today. Hopefully it does not disappoint!
@Azman– I do. With the caveat that I haven’t since the theater in 2016 (or Jan 2017)– if forced to decide right now I’d definitely have it in my top 150… little less certain on the top 100. close. Enjoy.
My views on La La Land really changed. I don’t know what it was that made me miss what a masterpiece this is, honestly. I ridiculously underrated it and I’d say that it had to do with how everyone seemed to be completely head over hills in love with it (because if one doesn’t go against the current…) and the fact that back in 2016 when I caught it I was a very different cinema goer. Anyway, here we are, so after a couple of more recent viewings, I can state openly how dazzled I am.
Its magic escaped me at first, but honestly, it is indeed magical. One of the best films of recent years. I think sonic- boom is an exceptionally accurate description of what it all boils down to cinematically speaking, and I love all the intertextuality here in your analysis of the film. I will firmly agree with the Demy comparisons, my mind instantly went to his use of colour and of course the Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Many more casual viewers have made a fuss about the ending and I will just kindly disagree, because the ending is precisely the point – one of the two or three points anyway. The music is very fitting and more than adequate, but interestingly, I think it’s the least impressive aspect. The use of colour is magnificent and the framing is sublime, every shot and frame is so carefully crafted. The fest of colours here is good enough to rival Wes Anderson on his finest day (that is to say the Grand Budapest, even though the Grand Budapest would win on that front). It’s so richly expressionistic, it makes one feel that this is what cinema is all about (and possibly it is). The scene where they dance floating in the planetarium is spell-binding, every dance sequence is wonderful. From an acting standpoint, Gosling does his thing and he’s great as per usual and Emma Stone truly shines here, but not in a conventional way; her eyes are so expressive. I think she’d make an excellent silent film actress. You often highlight the audition scene and that’s indeed a touching moment, but the one where they fight over dinner must be some of the greatest acting two-headers of the decade. The pain and frustration in Stone’s eyes is beautiful and difficult to watch as it feels so real, and of course Gosling’s performance communicates a lot of restrained rage that backs up the astonishing parade of emotions that we see in Stone’s eyes. And don’t get me started on the ending sequence: it’s like a cinematic explosion right there on the screen, a little gift to all film buffs out there with its choreography, music, colours, it’s simply unforgettable.
Moonlight is wonderful, it really is, and on top of that, it is a culturally important film. But this is hands down the best film I’ve seen coming from not only 2016, but 2015 and -perhaps- 2017 as well. Now I can understand. How is it possible to not be in love with La La Land?
Very well said. It baffles me how so many people missed the pure artistry in this. Over time I was starting to doubt whether it was as great as I thought because of all the backlash, but every rewatch I have had has only ever confirmed its brilliance. I know that technically and stylistically accomplished films that initially aren’t recognised as masterpieces will eventually get their due, and we are starting to see that happen here – but I am also getting impatient haha.
I will hit back a little on your point about the music. I consider it the best original film score of the 2010’s (trailed by Moonlight, ironically), and at least among the top 25 of all time. I’m not going to say it’s the strongest aspect of the movie, only because of how excellent it is across so many areas. But Justin Hurwitz has developed a sound that is already being parodied, homaged, and used as a pop culture reference – my favourite example is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG6HZMMDEYA
@Declan- I’m glad I’m not alone here. I think it has to do with all the attention it received. I haven’t read a single bad review of La La Land, and everyone loved it. Literally everyone. Critics, audiences and of course the awards came running. When a film gets this kind of attention it is very easy to label it as overrated. And, to be honest, it is not without reason. I think many films just received this negative response because they indeed were so overrated. The Artist, honestly, I don’t even know why everyone loved that movie so much. So simply because it has happened before, people are a little too cautious of a film that is hailed as a masterpiece almost immediately. But this one really deserved all the praise.
As for the music, I think you’re right, though I think the best of the decade statement is a little brave haha. Some songs are very catchy and truly elevate the scenes (like the one parodied in Crazy Ex Girlfriend – they even had them were colourful clothes, haha – “our lawyers won’t let us say brand names”). It’s just that not all of them are on the same level. It was I’d say the least impressive aspect, but when talking about La La Land that is not an understatement. The music, as everything else, is wonderful.