Spoilers Ahead!
La La Land begins like a dream. From the opening notes and colors on a sun-drenched freeway in Los Angeles, it sweeps you up and in a world that is both magical and mundane, a world where everyone is searching for something: a part, a song, a spotlight, and a world where the streets seem alive with possibility and disappointment. But beneath the dancing and the beautiful jazz rifts, La La Land poses a question that lingers long after the final credits roll: what happens when ambition and love collide.
According to IMDb, at the heart of La La Land are Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz pianist, both struggling to make a living while chasing their dream in Los Angeles. Sebastian believes he has a solid, carefully thought out plan for his future, whereas Mia drifts from one disappointing audition to another, pouring her energy into opportunities that seem to lead nowhere. However, when their lives intersect, an unexpected romance blooms, full of accidental run-ins and long walks under starry nights. But life is as exciting as it is challenging, and the demands of their individual dreams constantly challenge their connection, forcing them to make choices that blur the line between personal ambition and emotional fulfillment. As the young idealists begin to drift away from their dreams, questions start to emerge about true love and the passions that people may have in their individual lives.
This movie succeeds because it makes a simple story feel extraordinary. Primarily, the plot, in theory, of two characters yearning for their dream careers and ideal lives might have seemed ordinary. However, the tension and humor between them elevate the film far beyond that. The relationships that unfold throughout the story are exceptionally well-written because of its emotional honesty. The theme of chasing dreams versus holding onto love is woven seamlessly throughout the story, giving it depth without ever feeling heavy in information. Additionally, the stakes of the characters are heightened through the acting of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, whose chemistry is evident on screen: Stone captures the frustration and hope of an aspiring actress with natural charm, while Gosling conveys Sebastian’s stubborn passion and vulnerability.
Beyond the performance, La La Land dazzles through its cinematography and soundtrack. Every single scene is perfect with detail, from making sure that each character had an undeniably beautiful and matching wardrobe to ensuring that the colors shone in the scene expressed the feelings that viewers were supposed to feel alongside the characters. Simultaneously, the music expresses what dialogue alone could not, giving a new found perspective of jazz and piano to every single person who watched the film for the first time. The film’s clear “it” factor comes from the perfect blend of the two: its breathtaking and emotionally engaging scenes keep viewers engaged and mentally connected to the characters.
All of these factors come down to (Spoiler!) the bittersweet ending of the film. Everyone who has seen the movie will definitely mention this first. During the entirety of the movie, the old Hollywood musical style is present. However, during the end, the storyline takes a different turn. The last 15 minutes includes a touching yet sorrowful ending. Some will love the way the two characters decide to go their separate ways for their dreams and some will hate it, but let me ask you this: isn’t this what life is all about? The ending is what makes the movie an instant classic, because there is nothing more powerful than a heartbreak.
In my view, La La Land is a work of art because it manages to capture the essence of pursuing one’s dreams while dealing with love. The movie does not shy away from the fact that there are sacrifices that have to be made when one pursues one’s dreams, but it also celebrates the joy that makes it all worthwhile. The acting and music all blend together to create a world that is both real and surreal, making you care about the characters even after the movie is over. La La Land is more than just an entertaining movie—it is also inspiring, reminding us that our dreams are worth chasing, even if it is not the most practical option.
