First Annual Movie Review -- La La Land

Today being Christmas, my wife and I of course went to see a movie (we skipped the Chinese restaurant, however, in favor of dinner at home).  The film we chose was La La Land, which has gotten phenomenally good reviews and seven Golden Globe nominations, including best script, best director, best lead actor and best lead actress.  In brief, it is the musical story of the romance between Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a jazz pianist, and the difficulties they encounter reconciling their ambitions with their relationship.

As virtually everyone has observed, the film is beautifully made, moving seamlessly from the musical numbers to the plot and back again.  The colors are gorgeous, the sets are terrific, the chemistry between the stars is unmistakable, and there is an unanticipated twist at the end.  It is easy to appreciate the film as a nearly perfect exemplar of the Hollywood art form.

For all of that, however, it left me empty.  It seemed more like an exercise -- look here, see what we can do! -- than a meaningful story.  The singing and dancing are impressive in the sense that no one expected that of Stone and Gosling, who are known for their acting more than their musical skills. But let's face it, they are not Fred and Ginger, or even close.  The songs themselves are pleasant but not memorable.  There was really only one scene with any gravitas -- an argument over the dinner table over halfway through the film.

I don't require profundity from movies.  I can enjoy comedies, musicals, and even action films, as well as dramas.  But in this case, I think the film has been over-hyped.  It is a paean to Hollywood craft, but there is not much more to it than that.  If you are a fan of direction and production values, by all means go see La La Land.  If you are looking for something more, I suggest trying something else.

Last Christmas, we saw Birdman, which was much better.  Our offices are closed tomorrow, so we are going to see Fences -- but don't worry; I am not planning to post another review until this time next year.

Best wishes for the New Year.

 

Comments

[Captain Hruska Carswell, Continuance King]

If you want to see something genuine and authentic and just out on DVD, I would recommend Seth Rogen's "Sausage Party." A philosophical, political and theological tour de force. A triumph! A cleanse for my January 20th tortured soul. He writes and acts what he knows and it is a hoot. Thank god a lot of us still maintain our critical abilities and sensibilities that we can still be small "d" democrats.

[VoteTrump]

Steve, best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah if that is what you celebrate.

[AnonProf]

I don't know about others, but I don't come here to read movie reviews. Nor is Steve Lubet someone I particularly trust on that subject.

[Captain Hruska Carswell, Continuance King]

AnonProf:

I come here to be entertained, enlightened and to say hello to my cyber friend, VoteTrump. We need to calm down here, enjoy Hardees Thick Burgers on me and celebrate the coming of the New Born King. (sic GOP) Hence forth, Professor Lubet is the heir apparent of Siskel and Ebert.