This review contains spoilers.
La La Land. Where I even begin.
As counter-productive as it may seem, I'm going to start by talking about the ending, as to me it is the main reason that puts this film among the greats. The multi-layered tragedy of the ending is so powerfully heart-twisting and I both hate it and love it intensely. The mutual acknowledgement that they can achieve their dreams and be happy without being together is sweet and satisfactory is some ways, but the tragedy of it is how the viewer gets to see what their life would've / could've looked like if things had just gone slightly differently. And THIS is the true beauty of the film, and what makes it a horror movie. Throughout the film, Sebastian and Mia were clearly in love, but there were just always slightly out of sync. I find it facinating how this can be seen so so many times within the film. Their waking-up / going to bed times being completely different, Mia walking in early for Seb's surprise dinner, and so many more. Oh, and I'm not sure you can count it because technically it was a random choice Ryan Gosling (regretfully) made, but even during the iconic dance that was used for the cover, Seb's hands are slightly different to Mia's, again showing how they were just slightly off the whole time. This whole concept really makes the 'fake ending' so heartbreaking, as their lives could've so easily been perfect and they could've both had their dreams, but instead also be together. Yet, neither of them are, or ever will be, aware of it.
Now, aside from the ending, many other parts of this film are nothing short of amazing. The colour imagery and overall visuals are beautiful and play to the story perfectly. Obviously, the casting is amazing, both Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are wonderful actors and I always love seeing both of them on screen.
I am currently waiting to see my girlfriend's review, which she is hopefully posting shortly, and I fear she is not as passionate about La La Land as me.
This review contains spoilers.
La La Land. Where I even begin.
As counter-productive as it may seem, I'm going to start by talking about the ending, as to me it is the main reason that puts this film among the greats. The multi-layered tragedy of the ending is so powerfully heart-twisting and I both hate it and love it intensely. The mutual acknowledgement that they can achieve their dreams and be happy without being together is sweet and satisfactory is some ways, but the tragedy of it is how the viewer gets to see what their life would've / could've looked like if things had just gone slightly differently. And THIS is the true beauty of the film, and what makes it a horror movie. Throughout the film, Sebastian and Mia were clearly in love, but there were just always slightly out of sync. I find it facinating how this can be seen so so many times within the film. Their waking-up / going to bed times being completely different, Mia walking in early for Seb's surprise dinner, and so many more. Oh, and I'm not sure you can count it because technically it was a random choice Ryan Gosling (regretfully) made, but even during the iconic dance that was used for the cover, Seb's hands are slightly different to Mia's, again showing how they were just slightly off the whole time. This whole concept really makes the 'fake ending' so heartbreaking, as their lives could've so easily been perfect and they could've both had their dreams, but instead also be together. Yet, neither of them are, or ever will be, aware of it.
Now, aside from the ending, many other parts of this film are nothing short of amazing. The colour imagery and overall visuals are beautiful and play to the story perfectly. Obviously, the casting is amazing, both Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are wonderful actors and I always love seeing both of them on screen.
I am currently waiting to see my girlfriend's review, which she is hopefully posting shortly, and I fear she is not as passionate about La La Land as me.
