La La Land Review: A Fresh Start

La La Land Movie Poster (c) Lionsgate Movie/Moxie Entertainment

Hollywood musicals seemed to have been a dying industry. With the overwhelming number of horror and action movies being released every month, the movie industry was in dire need of a refresher. This came in the form of the movie “La La Land.” Set in modern day Los Angeles, the film focuses on the two main characters, Sebastian and Mia, and how their unlikely encounters eventually flower into a beautiful relationship. Sebastian, played by Ryan Gosling, is a gifted pianist and a jazz fanatic. He exudes confidence and debonair, lighting up the screen and taking control of whatever challenges the plot throws at him. Mia is an aspiring actress struggling to kickstart her career. It seems like the world neglects to notice Mia, that is until she meets Sebastian. The story that then unfolds is one that earned six Oscars, including best actress, best director, best cinematography, best production design, and best original music score. Winning all of these awards was no accident. With a career-defining performance from Emma Stone, masterful production and direction by Damien Chazelle, and beautifully crafted scenes and backdrops, the six Oscars were well deserved.

Perhaps the most eminent attribute of this movie however is its original soundtrack. The film opens with the track “Another Day of Sun,” an upbeat tune featuring an arrangement of trumpets and the chorus sung by the movie’s cast. Next comes the song “Someone in the Crowd,” played while Mia and her roommates are preparing to leave for an elaborate party in the Hollywood Hills. This track contrasts the lively beat in the early part of the song with Mia’s seemingly futile struggle in her quest for companionship in the latter half. Next comes one of the more intimate songs on the soundtrack, titled “Mia & Sebastian’s Theme.” In fact, it is this very song that brought Mia and Sebastian together for the very first time. The song features pianist Justin Hurwitz, and begins with a simple eight note repetition, which gradually grows into an aggressive crescendo. This song is seen later throughout the film, but in varying tones and speeds. Next comes the first duet between Gosling and Stone on the song “A Lovely Night.” This performance comes after the pair’s first verbal interaction with one another after a party in the summer time. The audience watches as Stone and Gosling dance in front of a scenic view of a Los Angeles sunset, while singing lyrics about the very situation the two are in.

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This song shows the surprising singing ability of the two actors- giving the audience a taste of what is soon to come. The next song on the track list, what I feel is the most iconic song on the entire project, is titled “City of Stars.”  On this song, Gosling is singing solo. The song, a seeming ode to the city of Los Angeles, features only eight lines of lyrics, detailing the wonders and downfalls of the mystical “City of Stars.” Later in the movie, we are treated to another version of the song, though this time it is a duet between Stone and Gosling. In addition to this, the lyrics have been altered, this time comparing the love between the two to the city of Los Angeles. If “Lala Land” was any indication of the type of films we will be receiving from Chazelle in the near future, then we may soon see a complete renaissance of the Hollywood musical.