“La La Land” leaves listeners jazzed about film and music
One of the best decisions I made over winter break was going to see the musical La La Land.
Though I, normally, do not enjoy romantic comedies, Damien Chazelle’s masterpiece is an exceptional exception. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star as the film’s protagonists, aspiring jazz pianist Sebastian and undiscovered actress and screenwriter Mia. Their on-screen chemistry is equally as incredible as their musical and dancing talent.
The dialogue is especially amusing and the cinematography and lighting is expertly crafted in each and every scene. Stone and Gosling’s witty discourse is as fluid as it is entertaining.
However, the most impressive aspect of the film is the music. Composed by Justin Hurwitz, the soundtrack lays the perfect background to an almost whimsical love story set in LA. Gosling shocked me with his skill as a jazz pianist and it sound as if he could be at home playing alongside any number of modern day jazz groups. The slow jazz ballad, “City of Stars;” the classical piano-centric “Mia & Sebastian’s Theme;” and the pop-jazz fusion John Legend song, “Start a Fire” have all become favorites of mine.
Chazelle has an inate talent for using the exquisite soundtrack as a storytelling device throughout the film. Not only is it a central plot device throughout the film, the soundtrack immaculately sets the mood in both the most Seussian and profound scenes. If you cannot see the movie, I thoroughly recommend you listen to the soundtrack.
La La Land was both publicly and critically acclaimed, receiving an 89 percent positive from the public on rottentomatoes.com.
Additionally, the film set a record for Golden Globes, winning all seven for which it was nominated, including Best Musical or Comedy Motion Picture and Best Original Score.
