Thursday 12 January 2017

Film: 'La La Land'

Exceeding my expectations by some margin, I thought this a lovely film.
Musicals are such a rarity now so it's doubly satisfying to sit through this 'throw-back' to cinema's glory days with almost unalloyed pleasure. 
It's an additional achievement in that all the songs (music: Justin Hurwitz. lyrics: Benj Posek & Justin Paul) are originals. Not show-stoppers, granted, but they more than do their job of being interesting enough in their own right while pushing the action forward. (There are also two or three 'golden oldies' at one point, played as background music).

Taking virtually exclusive acting honours are Ryan Gosling (doing all his own piano-playing, a lot of it near-virtuosic) and Emma Stone, who together sing and hoof some numbers very capably, with tightly synchronised, agreeble choreography demonstrating some nifty footwork . The sole large-scale song in terms of number of performers is the opening, pre-title, smiley, sing-along number.
Other than Gosling and Stone, the only other member of the cast I recognised was J.K.Simmons (also from director Damien Chazelle's very fine, though opinion-divisive, 'Whiplash') in what is little more than a cameo role. And I suppose I really ought to have recognised John Legend, though I'm now getting increasingly out of touch when it comes to contemporary culture. 

Emma Stone is a counter-waitress in a Hollywood Cafe, also attending endless auditions, aspiring to become a theatre and screen actress. Gosling is a jazz pianist in a swanky bar where he soon gets fired by Simmons for not following orders on what to play. He moves onto more humble locations where he's spotted by Legend who invites him to join his jazz group.

The storyline is as corny as they come. Stone and Gosling's first encounter shortly after the film proper starts is one of animosity, and the hostilities continue when they meet up by chance a little later, though not for long. We all know the only route their acquaintance can take is that they'll soon be melting towards each other, falling in love - and singing and dancing, literally, in the air. But it's what I'd been hoping for, and it's delivered flawlessly and very nicely indeed.

The film, set nearly entirely in L.A., is broken up into parts titled with seasons of the year, and my only significant gripe is that it does sag a bit in the centre - and in the final parts, where song and dance become sparser, the drama between the two principals threatens to weigh down the story, increasing the contrast between the first and second halves, which I thought got a bit too heavy for the piece of fluff which this film is. A bit more judicious editing might have avoided this. However, it does seem to be a characteristic of virtually all musicals that about two-thirds through their drama becomes more intense, and risks subsuming all the rest. It's important, then, that it doesn't teeter over into melodrama - though in this case there's little chance of that happening. A bit over-serious, nonetheless.

Director Damien Chazelle, as well as writing this film, also has writing credits for the aforementioned 'Whiplash' as well as '10 Cloverfield Lane', the latter also attracting an elevated opinion from self.

Photography in this film is sumptuous throughout, as well as the effects. Direction, and the considerable imagination and originality that went into it could hardly have been bettered.

In an average year I normally award about half a dozen films a stratospheric (in my terms) rating of 8/10. Yet here we are, with only four films seen so far, and a second one with that elusive...........8.

13 comments:

  1. I, too, thought it was lovely. And in a sea of mediocrity and over-hyped films, I needed something lovely and sweet and pretty to look at!

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    1. Quite so, Bob. So far distant from usual cine-servings, it was a risky venture which could have been a mis-firing disaster, but absolutely wasn't. A true 'feel-good' movie.

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  2. Ray,
    Just the kind of movie that I like. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are two of my favorite actors and, of course, Los Angeles, is one of my favorite movie locations. As you know Pat and I will be in Los Angeles for two weeks next month and walk on those same streets and see those same scenarios, thus movies set in a Los Angeles locale are among my favorites. The only negative in this film is the appearance of J. K. Simmons, the insurance commercial salesman cum Academy Award actor. Yet another actor who I cannot stand mainly because of his role in the movie in which he won his award. He gives me the creeps. Makes my skin crawl. But thankfully, he has a small role in this film which I'm glad you gave me a warning.
    Thanks again for another great movie review!
    Ron

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    1. Simmons' role in this is small indeed, Ron, two brief appearances, the second even shorter than the first. No need at all to be concerned. As you may recall, I actually did like 'Whiplash' a lot. Of course he was creepy in it but he was meant to be.

      To be honest, while this film was playing, it did more than once cross my mind whether you and Pat would be familiar with particular roads and scenes - and I'm not just saying it to be ingratiating. When you see it - and you must (and will) - I've no doubt that you'll find yourself being tugged with nostalgia. But, as you say, you'll be driving or walking in those very same areas a few weeks from now.
      Even aside from all that I've little doubt that the film will lift your heart.

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  3. I saw this yesterday at a matinee. Yes, it is a piece of "fluff" but perfect to temporarily forget what is coming on January 20.

    I then took another path and saw "Elle." So easy to see why Huppert is considered one of France's greatest actresses. I have to say she really deserved her Golden Globe Award. Hope you get a chance to see it.

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    1. I agree, Paul, that 'La La' is perfect escapist entertainment - and there's nothing in the least wrong with that, especially in this coming year when there'll be much demand to get away from reality. Not at all surprised that you liked it - I think. Of course you did.

      Crazy, but 'Elle' doesn't open here until !0th MARCH!!! I've heard very good reviews about it - it was shown at the London Film festival last Autumn, and now with your very positive opinion, I can hardly wait for it during the two months of wait!

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  4. everyone at FB is raving about the film !

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    1. ......which is hardly surprising. Do take a peek.

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  5. I saw this at a weekday evening show, the theater was full, and when the movie ended there was applause... and not just 2 or 3 pairs of hands clapping, many, which sort of sums up the experience entirely.

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    1. I've heard a lot about audiences clapping after this, Dave. On my attendance the (large) one I was with didn't, not even any half-hearted attempt. As I've never clapped after any film I shouldn't complain, though it might say something about the town in which I live. However, an invoiced mental approbation (at very least) was fully deserved - and then, of course, there the recommendation of my posting right here.

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    2. Not 'Invoiced', but 'Unvoiced'!

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  6. It is warm, fun, refreshing, well done, simple and so much like home to me. It's not earth shattering, overdone or unreasonable. In its case I agree that it's story line is as corny as they come and so well done it works. It's a musical. It's entertainment.

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    1. You are precision correct, F.B. It's simply fun. If you take it in any other, more serious, way you're going to miss the reason it's there and deprive yourself from being entertained. A tonic!

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