La La Land - A Musical Worth Watching Over the Holidays

La La Land is exactly what I expected it to be.  The cinematography in the movie was amazing; the lighting, the custume design, the set - all well done.  Made in the style of a 1950/1960's musical film. The movie plays on our emotions from the very beginning.

This is Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling's third movie together.  Their chemistry is real. I have to say though, Ryan Gosling makes for a great leading man, though other than the last ovie with Steve Carrell, I don't expect him to be happy and get the girl at the end of his movies.  (spoiler Alert) so don't expect him to have the girl at the end of this one wither.  Do expect contentent fom both Ryan and Emma's character. 

The movie plays on our "what if" thinking in life:

What I we had a dream.
     What I we met someone who helped me reach my dream.
             What if I helped them reach theirs? What if we soar together?
What if I never met that person?

It's what we think about when we go through a bit of soul reflecting here and there, right?

Emma Stone's character is a struggling actress who moved to Hollywood to become famous. Ryan Gosling's character is a struggling musician can't keep a steady gig because he is too stubborn to play anything other than pure new orleans jazz.

There is one scene though where they're in the planetarium where they start to float and fly thrgouh the clouds and through constellations while in song and dance.. My mom quite liked that part of the movie, but I dont' know how I feel about it yet.  It does suggest that when we're new in the emotions of love and you're about to have your first kiss, your mind is swirling and its all cloud nine and starlight.

I did notice that as the movie proceeds and the characters' evolve emotionally, there is less singing and less dancing.  It becomes a little more dramatic and melancholy.

La La Land is up for a number of movie awards this year.  It's already won 8 Critics Choice awards and is nominated for a number of Academy Awards.  I highly recommend watching the movie, and it looks like the critics agree.  For the Holidays, La La Land is the movie to see!