Away From Award Hype, “La La Land” Becomes a Different Film
How re-watching an Oscar darling made me re-think my original opinion
Films, and the discussions that surrounded each one, are a lot like the old picnic table at your local park. The dark, wooden table sits quietly and it provides a sturdy place to sit for anyone. That table is filled with reminders of those who visited: initials, hearts, names and phrases are all etched throughout the picnic table. Through these signatures, a person’s experience with the table is on display.
Films from long ago or recent history exist for anyone to sit and enjoy. Depending on the experience with the film, a person may leave a positive reminder of their time — or a negative one — just like etching in “I ❤ U” or “LIFE SUCKS” onto the table. Instead of etching, someone may leave a review or comment on their thoughts. Different people use the table (view the film) in different ways; their experiences watching make for interesting discussion.
And, when talking about films, there is no real right or wrong answer.
This past year, La La Land was hyped as the film to watch. Viewing the trailer, the film had award season glory written all over. In certain regards, the film delivered: ranking in 14 nominations at the Academy Awards. Despite this success, the film was met with criticism: plot and characters issues and the couple’s singing abilities were among the many knocks some voiced about La La Land. For me, I am just as guilty. I did not love the film among the first viewing, though I greatly appreciated the technical aspects.
This weekend, I re-watched La La Land. Far removed from the hype and buzz of award season, the film really takes on a whole new light. After initially feeling lukewarm about the film, re-watching solidified specific emotions I felt while watching — and as I sit here and try to explain them. Before diving into specifics, I’ll say this: taking the film out of the “hype” context is a much more enjoyable experience. New viewers will always possess a tad of hype, but the cultural hype is long gone.
La La Land’s greatest aspect is its technical achievements. The film looks, sounds and feels stunning. The vibrant, candy-colored lighting is appealing to the eye, creating of the most visually appealing movies of last year. I loved all the colors of the setting surrounding the characters, as well as on the costumes they wore. The camera’s movements are fluid; the dance numbers are impeccably shot. If we were to judge a book by its color, La La Land would be one of the best in recent memory.
On this second viewing, I noticed some of the gripes many have do not really hold up. One of those gripes is Sebastian — a white guy — can’t “save” jazz. On a second viewing, it did not seem as if Ryan Gosling’s Sebastian was there to “save” jazz. The bigger problem: Sebastian is stuck in the past. He loves the jazz music from the early 20th century, and he is looking to showcase his love of that music to other people by opening his own jazz club. What’s wrong with that? Sebastian is stuck in nostalgia-land, which draws up other type of concerns.
But, in the context of the movie, he’s just looking to play a music style he idolizes. As Emma Stone’s Mia tells Sebastian in the film, people are willing to listen to others who are passionate about a subject. Even though Sebastian might be a white guy, he clearly appreciates, loves and adores jazz music. I, for one, could listen to him talk/play all day. (Yes, jazz features incredible African-American musicians that deserve just as much attention and praise, but to saying a guy like Sebastian can’t appreciate their work is silly).
Emma Stone’s performance holds up. It’s a tour-de-force performance. She’s energetic, evocative and understands the character of Mia — someone who just needs a break in life. Her singing abilities — a common criticism along with Gosling’s abilities — are not as bad as advertised. She’s an acceptable singer, shining in most parts. Her capabilities suit the character, as does Gosling’s — though his shine through far less.
Though the chemistry between Stone and Gosling is the main reason to view the film, their relationship is not the film’s biggest takeaway. Though, in the song “City of Stars”, Mia sings, “It’s love, yes we’re all looking for love”, the concept of love does not translate to being in a relationship. Timing is key. When Mia and Sebastian meet, love, seemingly, is the main driving force behind their relationship. But, again, timing is everything. When their lives take them on paths that lead their relationship growing cold, the two split up. Yet, the experience of being a couple and having each other helped each character become a mature, happier person.
Having a long relationship is great, but sometimes life gives you a friend/significant other for only a short period of time, where they exist only to help each other achieve their next step in life. Mia pushes Sebastian to include different things at his club — and to also quit the band and pursue his dream of having a bar — while Sebastian gives Mia a boost of confidence and push to go on her audition. Whether they ended up together is sort of irrelevant. Both were together at the right part of their lives, allowing them to live a far happier life than the path they were on before meeting.
As apparent from the last number, they will exist, happily, in their memories. Each character can always look back fondly at this moment in their lives and continue loving each other. The fact they remain separate and living their own lives just as they originally dreamt their life is OKAY and a perfectly acceptable ending.
That is my etching on La La Land’s picnic table. I enjoyed the film a lot more on second viewing, away from the cultural pressures when the film was released. The beautiful thing is you do not have to agree with my take; it’s not the right answer. This is just my experience with La La Land. What was yours?
