DVD Recommendation La La Land Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling
La La Land was the recipient of six Academy Awards, including Best Director (Damien Chazelle) and Best Actress (Emma Stone), earlier this year and is now available on DVD and On Demand. The musical effort is a love letter to Los Angeles and features a perfect mix of retro and contemporary elements. Chazelle is a clever director and defies viewers to pinpoint a time frame for the events of the film, at least until Mia Dolans (Stone) cell phone rings and chimes. Those sounds brings viewers into the present day, only to drawn back to the past with references to Old Hollywood and a jazz infused soundtrack that sounds both retro and fresh at the same time, if that is even possible.
This story is about love and having dreams of a bright and successful future. Mia is an aspiring actress and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a creative musician who has much potential, but also hates taking orders from others, thus causing him to flirt with being a starving artist. Mia and Sebastian meet under awkward circumstances featuring road rage and rudeness, both of which Sebastian is guilty of instigating. The seemingly star crossed lovers continue to run into each other until Sebastian finally asks Mia out on a date. For several months, the duo get along famously, but after a nasty verbal argument their future is placed in jeopardy. Neither party is completely innocent, but Sebastian is more of an antagonist. Despite the rift, they remain close and continue to support each other until destiny intervenes and great opportunities open up for each of the talented youngsters, which breaks them apart, but in an amicable fashion. However, true love is difficult to forget and they keep finding each other, for better or for worse.
La La Land boasts a sensational score and many memorable songs. However, I was initially doubtful about the film because the two opening musical numbers did nothing for me. I thought I was in for a rough two hours, but the music and the performances become the heart and soul of this outstanding effort. Gosling and Stone delivers superb performances which include several song and dance numbers that further the story. I believe both performances are award worthy and I can understand why Stone won the Academy Award as she is equally adept at comedy and drama as well as singing and dancing. Indeed, she does it all beautifully. The supporting cast includes J.K. Simmons in a familiar role, as well as singer John Legend and veteran actor Tom Everett Scott. In addition, the cinematography, by Linus Sandgren, is sensational and helps to convey the mood of this timeless story that is set in a sometimes ethereal world. That mood is perfectly captured for the duration of the film and is one of its most appealing features. Damien Chazelle has crafted an exceptional film that is worthy of the many accolades that is received this past year and has made me much more fond of musicals that I was before. Bravo.
download file now