La La Land. Architectural Digest. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
La La Land is a newly released movie which already has won awards, rave reviews, and is a contender for an Oscar as best picture. It is a rich and beautiful film which allows the viewer to bathe in the nostalgia of old Hollywood musical films such as those with Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. It is a musical story with a delightful pair of stars who dance and sing: Emma Stone (age 28 in real life) as Mia, and Ryan Gosling (age 36) as Sebastian. They are in love, but their careers in show business (she as an actress and he as a jazz musician) clash with their relationship, and heart wrenching decisions need to be made. The film is set in Hollywood, in the present, but with references to “Old Hollywood.”. The sense of place is emotional, visually stunning, and thrilling.
It is an engaging and engrossing movie with original songs and dance numbers. It is shades of Woody Allen and other past cinema movie makers, but taken to a new and marvelous level. I loved the photography which employs a gorgeous palette of slightly faded colors that seem to transport the viewer back in time to the Technicolor era.. The film was made by Damien Chazelle, a 31 year old from New Jersey, who has made another musical film in the past (Whiplash) , so he is carving out a wonderful niche for himself.
I don’t know how many millennials will like this film, but the adults in the room will flock to see a movie that will actually make them happy even though there is no violence, sex, or bad guys. There are a few special effects, but nothing is exploding, and no aliens (illegal or from outer space) are seen. It is somewhat too long at 120 minutes, but who cares?
“La La Land is a beautiful, inspired film. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone will leave you with a bounce in your step and love in your hearts.” (Julian Roman from MovieWeb).
We give this movie 5 Blogfingers, so go see it. We saw it at Monmouth Mall.
RYAN GOSLING AND EMMA STONE:
“City of Stars” from the soundtrack album of La La Land.