It would seem that some of the charm of old Hollywood has returned to the big screen in “La La Land.” Director-screenwriter Damien Chazelle (“Whiplash” 2014) has given us a romantic drama musical that is favorably compared to the MGM musicals of the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s.
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone delivered big time in their performances, both dramatic and musical. They had to learn how to sing and dance. In addition, Gosling took piano lessons with outstanding results. The pair had previously worked together in “Crazy Stupid Love” (2011) and in “Gangster Squad” (2013); they have great on-screen chemistry! The supporting cast includes Rosemary DeWitt, J. K. Simmons, Tom Everett Scott, Finn Wittrock, Meagan Fay, Jason Fuchs, Callie Hernandez, and singer John Legend making an impressive big screen debut. The wonderful musical score and songs of “La La Land” were composed and orchestrated by Justin Hurwitz.
The amazing cinematography by Linus Sandgren showed off numerous locales throughout the Los Angeles area: Griffith Observatory, Watts Towers, Angels Flight, Colorado Street Bridge, and the unique opening number on the elevated interchange connecting the westbound Century Freeway (105) to the northbound Harbor Freeway (110). Hasn’t everyone stuck in traffic fantasized about bursting out in song and dance like this?
“La La Land” won six Academy Awards, out of thirteen nominations, including Best Director, Best Actress (Stone), Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song, the winsome “City of Stars.” Other nominations include Best Picture, Best Actor (Gosling), Best Screenplay, Best Sound Editing, Best Costume, Best Film Editing, and a second Best Original Song nod for “Audition.”
At the 89th Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 26, 2017, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway caused quite a stir when they mistakenly announced that “La La Land” had won Best Picture. They had been given the wrong card, with “Moonlight” the actual winner. It took a few minutes on live national and world-wide television to clear things up.
One thing is clear: “La La Land” is wonderful and watchable entertainment from Summit Entertainment and Lionsgate Films, very successful at the box office.
La La Land (2016)
cinema
My Review
It would seem that some of the charm of old Hollywood has returned to the big screen in “La La Land.” Director-screenwriter Damien Chazelle (“Whiplash” 2014) has given us a romantic drama musical that is favorably compared to the MGM musicals of the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s.
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone delivered big time in their performances, both dramatic and musical. They had to learn how to sing and dance. In addition, Gosling took piano lessons with outstanding results. The pair had previously worked together in “Crazy Stupid Love” (2011) and in “Gangster Squad” (2013); they have great on-screen chemistry! The supporting cast includes Rosemary DeWitt, J. K. Simmons, Tom Everett Scott, Finn Wittrock, Meagan Fay, Jason Fuchs, Callie Hernandez, and singer John Legend making an impressive big screen debut. The wonderful musical score and songs of “La La Land” were composed and orchestrated by Justin Hurwitz.
The amazing cinematography by Linus Sandgren showed off numerous locales throughout the Los Angeles area: Griffith Observatory, Watts Towers, Angels Flight, Colorado Street Bridge, and the unique opening number on the elevated interchange connecting the westbound Century Freeway (105) to the northbound Harbor Freeway (110). Hasn’t everyone stuck in traffic fantasized about bursting out in song and dance like this?
“La La Land” won six Academy Awards, out of thirteen nominations, including Best Director, Best Actress (Stone), Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song, the winsome “City of Stars.” Other nominations include Best Picture, Best Actor (Gosling), Best Screenplay, Best Sound Editing, Best Costume, Best Film Editing, and a second Best Original Song nod for “Audition.”
At the 89th Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 26, 2017, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway caused quite a stir when they mistakenly announced that “La La Land” had won Best Picture. They had been given the wrong card, with “Moonlight” the actual winner. It took a few minutes on live national and world-wide television to clear things up.
One thing is clear: “La La Land” is wonderful and watchable entertainment from Summit Entertainment and Lionsgate Films, very successful at the box office.