La La Land (Damien Chazelle)

Sad Professor

Beautiful trailer for director Damien Chazelle's (Whiplash) upcoming romantic musical staring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. It's premiering in Venice at the end of August and will probably be out here in January.

MilesMorales1

'Starring Ryan Gosling' sold.

JP Liz V1

I think Emma and Ryan are the new Tom and Meg, is this their 3rd film together?

JP Liz V1

http://variety.com/2016/film/festivals/ryan-gosling-emma-stone-la-la-land-wow-venice-1201848676/

Loved at Venice

Looper007

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

I think Emma and Ryan are the new Tom and Meg, is this their 3rd film together?

Ye indeed it is. I thought Emma was miscast in Gangster Squad though and Ryan was wasted in that film. But I watch anything with Ryan in it, seen as he's coming off the awesome The Nice Guys. Emma needs a good film to finish off the year seen as she was in that Cameron Crowe Misfire Aloha.

It's been getting good reviews, although some are saying it's not quite as good as Whiplash and the songs in the film aren't great. But I'm looking forward to this.

Chain Smoker

Considering this guy managed to make a pretty good semi-musical mumblecore film, I can't wait to see what he does with a proper budget for one.

Anyone know how involved he was in writing the music for it? As great as he is working with music, I'm not that sure he'd be able to compose a great musical score.

johnny_ultimate

For its first half, La La Land is a lovingly shallow Hollywood fairytale. In its second half, Damien Chazelle rips apart the fairytale and show us its innards.

It looks beautiful, capturing fantasy L.A whenever it can during hypnotic pink and purple sunsets. The film is giddy and drunk on its own existence, bathed in bold primary & secondary colours wherever possible. During the musical numbers, the camera moves in wonderfully unnecessary long takes, moving through the chosen spaces with reckless abandon. The romance is simple but effective; the music broad and charming (although it's clear they want Gosling and Stone singing only when strictly necessary). The only major problem is you sometimes can't quite shake the feeling you're watching and extended Gap ad mixed with a classic Hollywood pastiche.

Thankfully, the film has more than a few trick up its sleeve. For a film so often shamelessly exuberant, a strangely eulogistic vibe starts creeping in. There's a strong sense of sadness in the way it mourns the passing of classic cinema and traditional jazz, but also accepting of the fact that things do in fact move on. Similarly, the main narrative becomes increasingly concerned with the conflict between dreams, film and reality (even the visual language shifts to become something a touch more naturalistic without abandoning its identity). I was briefly concerned that thread was going to be abandoned in favour of something more genetically crowdpleasing, but a tour de force of a final ten minutes put those worries to rest and then some.

I went in to La La Land expecting bubblegum, and it certainly delivers on that for a while anyway. But there's something much more considered going on here too, and that's why ultimately this is quite a bit more than just another pleasant Oscar bait musical.

Outkast_IRE

Really looking forward to seeing this next weekend.

Tony EH

Never understood the appeal of musicals. Especially the modern take.

bkrangle

I attended the cineworld preview screening of this last night and found it to be delightful.

I'm not really too fond of musicals in general but this was so vibrant and energetic that it hooked me. The leads are both very likable and relatable which helps.

Damien Chazelle is clearly a talented guy. Still young he's had back to back directorial triumphs with this and Whiplash and also wrote 10 Cloverfield Lane, which was enjoyable. Next up he's directing a Neil Armstrong biopic, it'll be interesting to see how his career pans out.

gmisk

I was at the lighthouse preview screening yesterday which was rammed.

I really enjoyed it I have to say, not really much of a story but so well acted, music was terrific (already have the soundtrack downloaded) and it looked absolutely beautiful. I would say though person I was with wasn't really that into it, and the reception from the crowd seemed a tad mixed in the reception afterwards. But if you love musicals I am pretty sure you would love this.

Shelga

Went to see this today, I enjoyed it but I don't think it's absolutely incredible like the reviews have been making out. I think the issue with movies like this that come out around awards season is that we're so oversaturated with them in the media. I didn't feel fully immersed in the film really- I dunno, maybe it's because the Golden Globes were just on- expectations were too high.

I did think it was very original and liked the characters, great acting and songs, and glad that

they didn't go for the boring Hollywood ending, this was so bittersweet!

, but it felt like less than the sum of its parts. Definitely worth going to, would be the type of thing I'd watch again in a few months when the hype has died down, and probably enjoy more.

titan18

Went to see it last night and I really enjoyed it. It's beautifully shot (favourite scene was during the song 'There's Someone in the Crowd' where camera is in the swimming pool moving around as people jump in), excellently acted (Gosling and Stone are great and loved the JK Simmons bits) and songs are great (love Another Day of Sun).

Funny at times although it doesn't try and overdo it and Chazelle seems to have a love of endings as whilst it doesn't compare to Whiplash's breaktaking final few minutes, La La Land does come close imo.

SmallTeapot

Really looking forward to seeing this. loved the review Johnny Ultimate

Loved it. Utterly charming. Stone has her, what I'm referring to as, a Hathaway moment in the final third.

Couldnt wait to see this, I love both Emma and ryan, I like musicals and whiplash was amazing

it was ridiculously cheesy, way too long and genuinely found it boring. And god I got so sick of that one song..after about 15 minutes I began to loose the will to live

I don't know is there something wrong with me or what but cannot understand the reviews. Clearly it's me as I havnt read one bad review yet...maybe im coming down with something

ArthurG

Loved it. Those 2 have such great chemistry together. Without spoiling anything, that bit near the end when Gosling sat down to play in the bar.... you could have heard a pin drop in the cinema, and I nearly forgot to breath.

Nervous Wreck

Fantastic film. If I were to pick a fault, it's that Gosling and Stone aren't great singers, though she has one really good performance. Not quite as strong as Whiplash but if I see five movies as strong as this this year, I'll be happy!

tunguska

Couldve watched 3 hours of that. Hate to use the word but.......Sublime so it was. Reckon its gonna become a bit of a classic. The type of film they'll show in the light house in 5 years time and have a la la land themed night. I normally hate musicals but this was so good i didnt mind them breaking into song every now and then.

Outkast_IRE

Loved it.

I would give it an excellent 9/10. I could not find fault with it.

Acting is excellent.
Story is good.
Pacing is perfect.
Editing is spot on.
Musical Numbers for the most part are spot on.

The ending was excellent to be fair.

To be honest i found the opening number the weakest of the film, everything after that was brilliant.

Its great to see something like this get the recognition it deserves.

MilesMorales1

It was magical, I loved it.

The Rape of Lucretia

Disappointing. Not worth its acclaim at all. The overall concept had merit, but a dogs dinner of plot and styles that ended up hitting no targets.

The singing and dancing were very low grade, and didnt fit in well to the structure. The music especially was worthless. The dancing simply unremarkable if nicely worked into the few scenes.
Plotwise it was a nothing. Yes an easy romance in the first half, but just doesnt present any true plot or development in the second half, leaving what might have been OK in the first half effectively worthless.
Emma Stone was very winning and a pity the movie didnt reward her effort with something of the same level. Ryan Gosling a blank nothing. There wasnt even anybody else in it to comment on or add or take form it in anyway - bit parts would be over rating the rest of the cast.
But really, a song and dance old style movie could have worked - but with such low grade song and dance, it was lost before even the lack of plot sank it.

gucci

This was a very entertaining visit to the cinema for my wife and I who both thoroughly enjoyed it. As a concept we were both a little reserved going in, we like a bit of Jazz, we enjoy a stage show or two, but modern “musical” themed movies are largely duds for us, but obviously the Whiplash being an extraordinary exception.
We loved it.

I liked how layered it was. The chasing the dream Vs reality of life was (to me) central to the whole movie. For some reason, maybe it’s because of the whole Hollywood setting and delivery of the storyline, I didn’t really connect or care about the outcome of the relationship or career path of the characters in the movie? So I had a very enjoyable experience of just soaking up the music and watching how beautifully it was shot. (The opening sequence made my brain just switch into that mode, exceptionally shot)
Both lead actors were excellent, you kind of take for granted how exceptionally talented some people are. The dancing and piano playing was fantastic

(I believe Gosling played a lot of the “live” piano sequences, but of course some of it was dubbed, even so it was very good)

The ending sequence was great too, without being too cliché.

Very good 8.5/10 for me. I’m sure it will be a movie that I will return to and engage with a bit more thought at another stage, but for entertainment alone it is a worthy trip to the pictures.

FunLover18

I loved moments of this, the opening and the walk to the car but overall I felt it was a bit too long with far too much time spent on getting the main couple together. They have great chemistry but we don't see nearly enough of them being a couple an as a result I could didn't feel that they were the 'true love/soulmates' that the movie wanted me to think they were. Mia's career got a bit sidetracked as more focus was put on Seb and his jazz (I really don't like when characters start telling the audience why they need to like something). The ending also didn't have the impact it deserved because as I said I just didn't buy into the central relationship.

GavRedKing

Seen it Sunday, I didnt like it and my mood and reflection wasnt helped that in Cork Omniplex they started the film about 10mins before the suggested show timeof 14.40pm, so just at the start of the 2nd musical number all the lights come on and half the cinema is told they'll be re-starting the show.

Que the standard 15mins of ads and trailers and before it got started for a second time.

Other than that, which is probably my main gripe, I didnt find it worthy of the acclaim its been given, the chemistry is there between Gosling and Stone but I was never invested in their on screen romance per se, they were more like two friends that meet in college, become faux best friends, fall out or lose touch and eventually re-kindle a bit of friendship years later when they on the off chance, bump into each other.

The music parts were done well though, IMO, but the dancing was a bit of let down when compared to the music but overall I think it was probably a good 15mins too long (not allowing for the Omniplex feck up at the start of course).

I'd probably rate it a solid 6.5/10, although I wouldnt be rushing to give it a second viewing.

wow sierra

Amirah Teeny Leakage wrote: »

Couldnt wait to see this, I love both Emma and ryan, I like musicals and whiplash was amazing

it was ridiculously cheesy, way too long and genuinely found it boring. And god I got so sick of that one song..after about 15 minutes I began to loose the will to live

I don't know is there something wrong with me or what but cannot understand the reviews. Clearly it's me as I havnt read one bad review yet...maybe im coming down with something

Totally agree - I am relieved to see the reviews here that aren't glowing. All way too slick and just lots of style and no substance. The central characters weren't developed at all and their storyline didn't develop in any complex way, or any way really. Lot's of very slick colour and wardrobe and I suppose choreography, but the dancing didn't fit in with the story and the singing/songs were weak. Found a great review in the New Yorker online which sums it up well but won't link it as there are too many spoilers.
I would recommend watching Sing Street again on Netflix

david75

Coming to the conclusion that American studios / journalists and then audiences are actually stupid or at least getting dumber.

This film wouldn't please the most innocent mindless child. It's awful overlong and totally undeserving of the fawning glow it's living within.

Never again.

johnny_ultimate

david75 wrote: »

Coming to the conclusion that American studios / journalists and then audiences are actually stupid or at least getting dumber.

This film wouldn't please the most innocent mindless child.

Mod note Please note the charter section about attacking people you don't agree with. Focus on the film, not the people who did / did not like it. Thanks.

conorhal

I'm in two minds about seeing this.

On the one hand, I like a good musical, love Emma Stone and generally enjoy a Hollywood tale.
The benchmark for all of this I guess would be 'Singing in the Rain'.

On the other hand the dreaded 'J' word is mentioned alot..... jazz <shudder>.
How much will a distate for jazz impact my enjoyment I'm wondering. Is it tollerable, or like Once, is your liking for the film dependent on not wanting to open a wrist every time Glen Hansard opens his gob?
Also, I can't abide Ryan Gosling. A dull, dull actor if ever I've watched one, he has all the charisma of one and a half Sam Worthingtons.

FunLover18

If you don't like Ryan Gosling or Jazz, I'd give it a miss

reni10

Thought it was a poor movie and would have been marginally better if there were no musical parts but even then there is not much of a story there.

Go watch "Once" instead, same story much better done and made for probably 1% of the cost!

reni10

reni10 wrote: »

Thought it was a poor movie and would have been marginally better if there were no musical parts but even then there is not much of a story there.

Go watch "Once" instead, same story much better done and made for probably 1% of the cost!

Your totally right about once...never thought of the comparison!

johnny_ultimate

I reckon the Umbrellas of Cherbourg is the closest point of reference (and potentially Young Girls of Rochefort, but that's been on 'the list' for some time). They share a lot of DNA: their bold & colourful aesthetic; the bittersweet romance; the regular reprises of a relatively small amount of songs (the songs themselves also feel like stylistic brethren); and ultimately the fact that both pay affectionate homage to classic Hollywood while simultaneously feeling like something of a commentary on the nature of the cinematic musical itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imCOi7pqKh0

Roadtoad

LALA Bland. In the fullness of time no lyric or tune will be remembered, or compare favorably to so many other musicals.

Slydice

Watched it. It was grand. Musical bits weren't too much or too often. Feels like I learned something about Jazz.

northgirl

Saw it last night. Dreadful. Way too protracted and cheesy and can't get the overly repeated music out of my mind today.

homerun_homer

reni10 wrote: »

Go watch "Once" instead, same story much better done and made for probably 1% of the cost!

Yeah but... that has Glenn Hansard in it.

Nervous Wreck

reni10 wrote: »

Thought it was a poor movie and would have been marginally better if there were no musical parts but even then there is not much of a story there.

Go watch "Once" instead, same story much better done and made for probably 1% of the cost!

Jaysus, I thought Once was awful shîte. Bad acting, bad pacing, awful music from the terrible Glen Hansard. Most of the film was just one music video after another...

mrsdewinter

Can't believe I fell for the hype. I can see why this was popular within the industry: it references lots of old-school classics, I guess loads of Hollywood types spent their early years working as baristas, and the love story plays on that old theme of relationship vs ambition.
But even though I'm a huge fan of 20th-century musicals, I couldn't buy into stopping the action for an aul song or dance. The tone was set for me by the opening sequence which I found interminable. The choreography has none of the skill or lightness of Cabaret, say, or Sweet Charity.

pinkypinky

I liked it and enjoyed watching but ultimately it was very light and I doubt I'd watch it again.
Gosling and Stone have great chemistry and I was pleased that there wasn't a cliched ending.

Melisandre121

I always loved Emma Stone but she annoyed me so much in this film and I don't know why. There were moments I just cringed watching her.

Overall though, I did enjoy the film! Admittedly not as much as I thought I would though.

Thought this was an exceptional film, one that you have to 'buy into' at the start to really get the most out of it. If your going to approach it with any kind of cynicism is going to be game over from the first piece!

TrustedApple

Seen this last week tought it was a fantasic film. My girlfirend hated every moment of it as she has no idea of what kind of film it was post to be.

Like I went in expecting a really camp musical and got much much more then that I think it had a great story and had great showing to Hollywood past.

Emma and Ryan where very likeable in there roles and did work well with each other as a couple on screen I think this is maybe there 3rd film with each other they just work. Just like Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.

Can't wait to see it again now once it comes out on 4K Blu ray as it's just a really easy watch film where it makes you fell happy and sad.

10/10 for me

FunLover18

Deleted User wrote:

Thought this was an exceptional film, one that you have to 'buy into' at the start to really get the most out of it. If your going to approach it with any kind of cynicism is going to be game over from the first piece!

Have to disagree, I pretty much knew what I was going to get from the trailers and people's comments on Twitter. I absolutely loved the opening scene, was beaming throughout. Also loved the walk to the car but looking back I can't really recapture that elation like I can with my favourite movie moments. The bits in between the big moments just felt a little flat, Emma Stones character wasn't really developed beyond 'wants to be an actress'. I still like the film and would watch it again if it was on TV or something but I dont think all the awards hype is warranted.

Decuc500

I liked it a lot. It was a wonderful movie to watch on a big screen. I thought it was a very involving drama that just happened to have musical numbers. Nice jazz music too. It was very confidently made with a lot of energy and it put a smile on my face.

I loved it. I was brought up watching the musicals from the 40's & 50's so I loved the way these elements of visual fantasy were incorporated into modern day Hollywood.
Yes it might have been far fetched and a bit cheesy but what's wrong with that? For me it was pure escapism, the colours, the style, the magic and the music.

Cartman78

I was sort or dragged along to this on Saturday night by the missus....had subconsciously dismissed it as Oscar bait fluff and I would generally be allergic to musicals but....

I absolutely loved it - it got me right from the first scene and I didn't notice the 2 hours passing at all.

It was bright and breezy and energetic for 95% of the running time and genuinely put a smile on my face, but the last 5-10mins were really fantastic and elevated the movie for me from an enjoyable romp to something a bit more meaningful.

Having said all that, I can see how divisive this movie could be but would advise anyone to watch it with an open mind and see where it takes you.

As mentioned above, I was very much predisposed to hate it...I really couldn't give a sh1t about Oscars (well at least since Pulp Fiction missed out) and the only other quasi-musical I've made it through is probably something like Blazing Saddles :pac:

retro:electro

Loved this movie. The first scene kind of came from nowhere though and I did feel a little awkward, not sure why; but I eased into it as it went on. The last ten minutes are just magical, I was just in a daze, which, I think, is the point. It's a movie that appeals to the sunny side of everyone's subconscious.

El Duda

La La Land - 8/10

When the hype is so great and the expectations are through the roof, you can't help but get the feeling it won't live up to all the praise. Thankfully though I did enjoy it although I much preferred Damien Chazelle's previous feature 'Whiplash'.

The opening song is critical in any musical and unfortunately it just didn't grab me. It felt a little forced. It took a while to get me fully immersed in this which was not a problem at all with Whiplash. It got to a point when we were nearing the end of the film and I felt that the finale had to be utterly spectacular in order for me to leave the cinema impressed, and luckily it was genuinely superb.

Chazelle has an infectious love for Jazz music which really comes through in both of these films. Not quite as exhilarating an experience as Whiplash but it is worthy of all the praise it's getting. I think half of the film I was lukewarm to whereas the other half was brilliant. It might sound like damning with faint praise but the lighting is incredible in this film. This will deservedly scoop up most of the technical Oscars.

It really is kind of ridiculous to think that this is only his second or third film. Damien Chazelle has a very exciting, illustrious career ahead of him. He's 32 FFS.



Slightly OT but I've read some reviews complaining about how shallow Emma Stone's character is and these critics are simply seeing a problem that isn't there imo. All this gender equality stuff in hollywood is starting to annoy me. Not every female character has to be written to great depth with carefully developed arcs. Stone's character has just as much depth as Goslings if not more.

JP Liz V1

14 Oscar nominations

pumpkin4life

Jesus.

This movie is a big pile of crap.

But every man should see it. Not on your own ffs but with someone else.

Why?

Watch the South Park episode "Broadway Brodown". You get it? This movie is the real life version of that South Park Episode.

Sounds good right? Sounds good to me anyhow!

Now, bring your wan to it. Fùcking profit, gold bars and dividends all the way.

This is a post that has been backed up by friends who have also seen La La Land. So there's real scientific data behind it.

Thank you Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone! Your movie is bollocks but the rest after leaving the cinema worked out ok and I might even want to see it again!