La La Land (2017) - 7/10
Entertaining enough, but I expected so much more – I really struggled to see what all the fuss and hype was about.
It’s a good film with lots of nostalgic touches and themes with a passable romance story and two very likeable characters.
Lots of great music, but not enough musical numbers or spectacle, and as a lot of the songs and scenes end on a down note, there’s an almost constant bitter-sweet atmosphere.
The “what if” sequence looked a lot more fun, upbeat and lively and with a few more musical numbers, would have been a much more enjoyable film for me.
I just got back from
LA LA Land.
Btw, I just got this... La La...Los Angeles !
I am not a musical fan, went to see this from all the hype from the US and it did not disappoint. About 10 mins into the movie I had fallen in love with the leads, Emma Stone in particular. It was strange at first to see people burst into songs but this really is so good. The sets, the colours, the back drop, the cinematography, the editing and some of those dances are like 1 long shot which I love. I had photographed a few musicals in the past and been to numerous rehearsals so I have seen the work they put into it to hit the spot and I find it fascinating to see it on the big screen.
The acting was also brilliant, especially the opening audition from Stone, when she cried on the phone...that 30 second was just pure brilliance. The chemistry too between Stone and Gosling, they are believable as a couple and believable when they fall in love and believable when they fight.
By quarter of the way through this movie I found myself smiling at the screen.
Half way through this movie I told myself this is better than Star Wars and I am going to own this on Bluray.
About 3 quarters I thought this is will win Best Picture at the Oscars.*
I adore this movie. Love it. When the credits rolled I wanted to start clapping, then I remember I am British.
9.9/10 - Better than Rogue One!
0.1 off perfection (a 10) because a couple of the dance numbers felt a little clunky.
*I need to see Hacksaw Ridge and a couple of others first.
edit - just booked to see it again tomorrow...finally read a few reviews and they all say it is better the second time round.