Film Review : La La Land

My notes on La La Land:

1. One character in this film probably summed up my entire viewing experience of this oftentimes joyous homage to classic Hollywood musicals: "How are you going to be a revolutionary if you're such a traditionalist?"

Damien Chazelle (who also directed Whiplash, one of the best of 2014) concocted such a nostalgic fantasy world that easily razzle dazzled the audience and made them forget that they were basically watching the same old romance tropes (why am I mentioning romance like it's a dirty word?). I think Billy Flynn in Chicago said it best with "How can they see with sequins (or in this case, thousands of stars?) in their eyes?".
2. The "Another Day of Sun" opening sequence was such a delight to watch that it was hard for me not to stomp my feet along with it. Wouldn't it be great if people suddenly burst into an all-out song and dance production number while stuck in EDSA rush hour traffic? Besides, your obnoxious soulmate might just be right there in the next Tas Trans bus.

3. I named my current car after Emma Stone so my love for her was unquestionable. It would also be out of love for me to say that she was great here as struggling actress Mia (the first audition scene when she was rudely interrupted for a sandwich was heartbreaking), except when she was required to sing. Her voice was just too weak (thin? airy?) and it hobbled what could have been a brilliant showstopper with "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)". (This song sounded like "The Rainbow Connection" while "A Lovely Night" reminded me so much of Frank Sinatra's "Cheek to Cheek".)

4. Ryan Gosling as Sebastian was just as charming and had the right amount of smarm, like he was the better person simply for being a jazz enthusiast. He actually looked like he was literally dying of embarrassment while playing A-ha's "Take On Me". His fingers were a bit stiff during the piano scenes, but he fared much better vocally. Also, could someone teach me how to whistle that "City of Stars" piece?

5. When J.K. Simmons stormed out of the kitchen to fire Gosling, I actually thought that he would throw a ladle at him and scream, "Not quite my tempo!!". (Seriously, if you hadn't seen Whiplash, watch it now!!)

6. Passion, hard work, and the sacrifices made to realize your dreams. Different priorities, different outlooks. Long-distance relationships ("My aunt used to live in Paris...") rarely worked. Why must life be so cruel?

7. The seasons as metaphors for their relationship status and even the bench break-up scene reminded me so much of (500) Days of Summer. On the other hand, the coffee shop scenes were very Bituing Walang Ningning. I loved the newly-transformed Dorina Pineda vibe she gave when she walked in five years later to get her latte. Uwian na, may nanalo na.

8. That alternate reality sequence would probably go down as the ultimate hopia moment of 2016.

9. Much had been said about the bittersweet ending complete with their longing looks (disappointment? regret? hope? acceptance? closure?) and it probably would have been more poignant if I didn't see it first in Olivia Lamasan's The Mistress.

Movie Rate : ★★★★☆
Movie Review by : Jason Javier