“Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Damien Chazelle, LA LA LAND tells the story of Mia [Emma Stone], an aspiring actress, and Sebastian [Ryan Gosling], a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.”
After the success of ‘Whiplash’, director Damien Chazelle is back with another film set to sweep up awards at this year’s Academy Awards. ‘La La Land’ is a musical which many of you are sure to have heard of by now. With sweeping performances from leads Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone at the helm, this story of hope and love is sure to appeal to a huge audience and isn’t part of the normal Awards Season crop. Here’s the trailer:
Critics are universally praising ‘La La Land’ not just for its exceptional performances and plot, but also for its reinvigoration of the traditional musical genre. In years past, musicals were once a huge tentpole of Holywood’s output but have dwindled over the years. Here are the critics reviews of ‘La La Land’:
‘Audacious, retro, funny and heartfelt, La La Land is the latest great musical for people who don’t like musicals – and will slap a mile-wide smile across the most miserable of faces.’ – Empire
‘Could have been a grand folly but instead it’s just grand. Will make audiences break into grins like its characters break into song.’ – Total Film
‘La La Land is both a love letter to a confounding and magical city and an ode to the idea of the might-have-been romance, in all its piercing sweetness. It’s a movie with the potential to make lovers of us all. All we have to do is fall into its arms.’ – TIME
‘Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling lay on the charm in Whiplash director Damien Chazelle’s magical love letter to the golden age of Hollywood.’ – The Guardian
‘On first viewing, for the first 90 minutes or so, you may find your delight shadowed by skepticism. Where is this going? Can this guy pull it off? Are these kids going to make it? Should we care? By the end, those questions vanish under a spell of enchantment.’ – The New York Times
Zavvi’s Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
