La La Land
"La La Land" is a 2016 romantic musical film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Ryan Gosling as Sebastian Wilder, a jazz musician, and Emma Stone as Mia Dolan, an aspiring actress. "La La Land" is celebrated for its vibrant cinematography, enchanting musical numbers, and heartfelt performances.
Plot Summary
The film is set in contemporary Los Angeles and follows the intersecting lives of Sebastian and Mia as they chase their dreams while navigating the challenges of love and ambition.
Mia is a barista who dreams of becoming an actress. She attends countless auditions but faces repeated rejections. Sebastian is a passionate jazz pianist with aspirations of opening his own jazz club, but he struggles to make ends meet and ends up playing uninspired gigs.
Their paths cross several times before they finally connect at a party. They bond over their shared dreams and mutual love for classic Hollywood and jazz. As their romance blossoms, they encourage each other to pursue their passions. Sebastian pushes Mia to write and perform her own one-woman play, while Mia motivates Sebastian to follow his dream of owning a jazz club.
However, their relationship is tested by the demands of their careers. Sebastian joins a successful but compromising jazz-fusion band led by his old acquaintance, Keith (John Legend), which leads to conflicts with Mia. The band’s touring schedule and commercial success take Sebastian away from Mia, causing friction between them.
Mia’s one-woman play is poorly received, and she decides to leave Los Angeles. Sebastian, realizing how much she means to him, tracks her down and convinces her to attend a significant audition. Mia lands a major role, and they part ways, knowing that their dreams have taken them in different directions.
The film concludes with an epilogue set five years later. Mia is now a successful actress, married to someone else, with a child. She stumbles upon a jazz club and discovers it is the one Sebastian had always dreamed of opening. They share a bittersweet moment of recognition and a fantasy sequence showing what could have been had their relationship taken a different path. Despite their separate lives, both have achieved their dreams, and the film ends on a note of nostalgic reflection.
Where To Watch
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of "La La Land," composed by Justin Hurwitz, is integral to the film’s charm and emotional resonance. It features a mix of original songs and instrumental pieces that capture the magic, romance, and struggles of the characters.
Key Tracks
- "Another Day of Sun" - The film opens with this high-energy, ensemble number performed during a traffic jam, celebrating the optimism and dreams of Los Angeles.
- "Someone in the Crowd" - Sung by Emma Stone and a chorus of her roommates, this song captures Mia’s longing for discovery and success in Hollywood.
- "Mia & Sebastian’s Theme" - A recurring instrumental piece that beautifully encapsulates the romance and connection between the two main characters.
- "A Lovely Night" - A playful duet between Mia and Sebastian as they dance and sing against the backdrop of the Los Angeles skyline, reflecting their budding romance.
- "City of Stars" - This wistful song, performed by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, serves as a central theme, expressing both the hope and melancholy of chasing dreams.
- "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" - Sung by Emma Stone, this powerful and emotional number is Mia’s defining moment, recounting her aunt’s dreams and her own aspirations.
- "Epilogue" - An orchestral medley that revisits the film’s main musical themes, accompanying the fantasy sequence that imagines an alternate happy ending for Mia and Sebastian.
The "La La Land" soundtrack is celebrated for its blend of classic jazz influences and contemporary musical styles, bringing to life the film’s themes of love, ambition, and the bittersweet nature of following one’s dreams. Justin Hurwitz's compositions, along with the performances by Gosling and Stone, create a rich and memorable auditory experience that enhances the film’s narrative and emotional impact.
Where to Listen
Where to Buy
Movie Connections
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Musical: "Singin' in the Rain" (1952) - This classic film is one of the quintessential Hollywood musicals about the film industry itself, similar to "La La Land's" meta-commentary on show business and aspiring artists.
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Romantic Drama: "Casablanca" (1942) - While not a musical, "Casablanca" shares "La La Land's" themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of greater dreams, set against a backdrop of a pivotal historical moment.
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Musical Drama: "Moulin Rouge!" (2001) - A modern musical that, like "La La Land," uses contemporary music to tell a story of passionate love and artistic ambition, set in a highly stylized version of Paris.
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Musical Romance: "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (1964) - This French musical told entirely through song, like "La La Land," explores the bittersweet nature of love and the impact of time and choices on relationships.
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Romantic Comedy: "(500) Days of Summer" (2009) - Directed by Marc Webb, this film shares with "La La Land" a non-linear narrative and a focus on romantic aspirations and realities, albeit in a more explicitly comedic context.
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Jazz Film: "Bird" (1988) - Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film explores the life of jazz musician Charlie Parker and shares "La La Land's" deep appreciation for jazz as a pivotal element of the story.
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Musical Comedy-Drama: "A Star Is Born" (2018 version) - This film, like "La La Land," deals with the complexities of romantic and artistic relationships within the entertainment industry, with music deeply integrated into its narrative.
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Drama: "Whiplash" (2014) - Also directed by Damien Chazelle, "Whiplash" explores the pursuit of artistic perfection in jazz, much like Ryan Gosling’s character’s storyline in "La La Land."
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Romantic Musical: "Once" (2007) - This indie musical features a couple brought together by music, sharing "La La Land's" theme of how personal connections can deeply influence artistic expression and aspirations.
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Musical Fantasy: "Across the Universe" (2007) - This film uses popular Beatles songs to tell a love story set against the 1960s backdrop of war and social change, exploring the power of music and love much like "La La Land."