La La Land

posted by PMYA on UserFilmReviews

I thought I would make a sub separate to /s/Movies because I don't want to turn a default into a cesspool of user reviews.

Trailer

I watched this earlier and was honestly quite surprised. It is basically a musical rom-com, so right off the bat it has a serious handicap because lets face it - almost all films within those genres are complete shit, and this one fits into both of them. The only reason I even considered watching it in the first place is because it got very good reviews, and Emma Stone.

Brief Synopsis

Basically, an aspiring actress meets a jazz pianist, and they start banging, but then they stop banging, and then you're all like, are they going to start banging again or...?

Storyline isn't really important, it's not what makes the film good.

The Good

It is not really a proper musical. There are singing bits in it, but they are not very frequent, and the only really cringey one is the very first scene, which is probably the worst scene in the entire film. They are so few and far between that I was actually shocked when someone started singing, before remembering it was a musical.

The directing is excellent. The musical bits are actually enjoyable due to the way they play out on screen. There are sequences in the film with a lot of seamless transitions into new sets, and the vast majority of it is done without computer wizardry, making the film feel more like a play at times. Long takes are sometimes used to perfection, and happen a few times without you even noticing because the use of angles and a variety of different motions/transitions make it seem as though there has been a cut somewhere. This film is worth watching even if you hate the genre, but are mildly interested in film making.

Soundtrack is awesome. Lots of jazz. And occasional singing.

The Mediocre

La La Land manages to escape the mediocrity of the genre by not falling into the same traps that American rom-coms have been falling into for the past billion years. Obviously, some things are the same, but it isn't your typical Hollywood happy ending kind of film.

Acting is alright. Emma Stone was good. I swear I saw Ryan Gosling's plank-like face make a different expression for a few seconds.

The Bad

Ryan Gosling's plank-like face.

The first scene is atrocious, but it's probably because I don't like musicals that much.

Pacing feels a bit off at times. The story spans a number of years, but it doesn't have that same Shawshank Redemption-ish feeling of something happening over a long stretch of time. I am willing to give this a pass though because it is probably due to the way the directing in the film makes it all flow together.

Rating

Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

PMYA's Rating: 84%

I thought I would make a sub separate to /s/Movies because I don't want to turn a default into a cesspool of user reviews. ##[Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pdqf4P9MB8) I watched this earlier and was honestly quite surprised. It is basically a musical rom-com, so right off the bat it has a serious handicap because lets face it - almost all films within those genres are complete shit, and this one fits into both of them. The only reason I even considered watching it in the first place is because it got very good reviews, and Emma Stone. ##Brief Synopsis Basically, an aspiring actress meets a jazz pianist, and they start banging, but then they stop banging, and then you're all like, are they going to start banging again or...? Storyline isn't really important, it's not what makes the film good. ##The Good It is not really a proper musical. There are singing bits in it, but they are not very frequent, and the only really cringey one is the very first scene, which is probably the worst scene in the entire film. They are so few and far between that I was actually shocked when someone started singing, before remembering it was a musical. The directing is excellent. The musical bits are actually enjoyable due to the way they play out on screen. There are sequences in the film with a lot of seamless transitions into new sets, and the vast majority of it is done without computer wizardry, making the film feel more like a play at times. Long takes are sometimes used to perfection, and happen a few times without you even noticing because the use of angles and a variety of different motions/transitions make it seem as though there has been a cut somewhere. This film is worth watching even if you hate the genre, but are mildly interested in film making. Soundtrack is awesome. Lots of jazz. And occasional singing. ##The Mediocre La La Land manages to escape the mediocrity of the genre by not falling into the same traps that American rom-coms have been falling into for the past billion years. Obviously, some things are the same, but it isn't your typical Hollywood happy ending kind of film. Acting is alright. Emma Stone was good. I swear I saw Ryan Gosling's plank-like face make a different expression for a few seconds. ##The Bad Ryan Gosling's plank-like face. The first scene is atrocious, but it's probably because I don't like musicals that much. Pacing feels a bit off at times. The story spans a number of years, but it doesn't have that same Shawshank Redemption-ish feeling of something happening over a long stretch of time. I am willing to give this a pass though because it is probably due to the way the directing in the film makes it all flow together. #Rating Rotten Tomatoes: 93% PMYA's Rating: 84%

8 comments

[–] Mastercat 1 points (+1|-0)

Edited

Saw La La Land last night. Thought it was sucked compared to critics' praise. Probably an OK movie if you see it without hearing reviews.

First scene even worse than you described. The leads singing and dancing aren't good enough for a musical.

I would recommend "New York, New York" instead.

[–] PMYA [OP] 1 points (+1|-0)

The first scene is atrocious. I seriously considered not watching the rest.

I don't think it deserves the praise it is getting, but I am glad it did get good reviews because I wouldn't have watched it otherwise. I quite enjoyed it.