Best Picture Oscar worthy? 100%. Best Actor Oscar worthy? 100% Best Actress Oscar worthy? 100%. As you can tell. I really liked this film.
La La Land is directed by Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) and stars Ryan Gosling (The Nice Guys, Drive) and Emma Stone (Easy A, Birdman).
The film follows the lives of Mia (Stone), trying to become and actress, and Sebastian (Gosling), who is trying to be a successful Jazz Pianist, who meet and help each other try to achieve their dreams.
I really really loved this film. The recent Oscar buzz, and awards buzz in general was part of the reason as to why I gave this film a chance as it’s not normally the kind of film that I would go out and watch. But I am so glad I did.
First of all, the cinematography in this film is incredible. Each scene is masterfully constructed with jump cuts only used when they’re absolutely necessary. The amount of long takes in this film is incredible.
Secondly the acting. Both Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone give career defining performances in this film. Though I do believe that if either of them deserves an Oscar it is Gosling, purely for his performance throughout the film but especially in the third act. Not that Emma Stone isn’t great in this film, she is, but I think Gosling just upstages her.
As well as the acting, the music is also amazing. I found myself tapping along to many of the songs. Some of the songs are nice happy songs but some are deep and emotional. Unlike many musicals the songs don’t feel forced and you could honestly believe these people would just break into song at any point in their natural day.
You might think, that because of the emphasis on music, that the plot is lost in this film. It isn’t. The plot was emotional, dramatic and romantic. I wasn’t expecting to be as moved by this film as I was. The flipped ending especially tugged on the heart strings and I found myself on the verge of tears.
Any cons with the film? Well, it does base some of it round Jazz Music, so if you absolutely hate Jazz, I doubt this film will appeal to you. Though, like me, if you don’t mind Jazz then you can find to deal with it, and maybe even learn to love it.
I can’t go into much detail about the film just because I don’t really want to spoil it. The film has to be watched, not read or heard about. If you’ve not been to see it yet, I strongly recommend you go out and watch it. I’m almost 100% sure that this film will win the majority of the 14 Oscars it’s been nominated, and I wouldn’t mind that.
La La Land: 5/5
Connor Mountford 