La La Land

La La Land
source
Name	La La Land
Director	Damien Chazelle
Producer	Fred Berger • Jordan Horowitz • Gary Gilbert • Marc Platt
Writer	Damien Chazelle
Starring	Ryan Gosling • Emma Stone
Music	Justin Hurwitz
Cinematography	Linus Sandgren
Editing	Tom Cross
Studio	Summit Entertainment • Black Label Media • Gilbert Films • Impostor Pictures • Marc Platt Productions
Distributor	Lionsgate
Released	31 August 2016 (Venice Film Festival) • 9 December 2016 (United States)
Runtime	128 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

La La Land is a 2016 American musical romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Ryan Gosling as a jazz pianist and Emma Stone as an aspiring actress, who meet and fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. A vibrant homage to classic Hollywood musicals, the film features an original score and songs by Justin Hurwitz, with lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

Plot

In contemporary Los Angeles, aspiring actress Mia Dolan, who works as a barista on the Warner Bros. lot, frequently encounters Sebastian Wilder, a talented but struggling jazz pianist. After several chance meetings, they begin a romantic relationship, supporting each other's ambitions: Mia writes a one-woman play, while Sebastian dreams of opening his own jazz club. Sebastian temporarily joins a popular synth-pop band led by his old friend Keith, played by John Legend, to secure financial stability, causing tension in their relationship. As their careers pull them in different directions, the film explores the sacrifices required for artistic success, culminating in a poignant, fantasy-laden epilogue set five years later that reimagines what their life together could have been.

Cast

The film centers on the chemistry between its two leads. Ryan Gosling portrays the passionate, traditionalist jazz musician Sebastian, having prepared for the role with extensive piano training. Emma Stone plays the determined yet vulnerable Mia, a role for which she drew upon her own early experiences as a young actress in Los Angeles. The supporting cast includes John Legend as Keith, a successful musician who represents a more commercial path; Rosemarie DeWitt as Sebastian's concerned sister; and J. K. Simmons in a brief role as Sebastian's stern employer at a restaurant. Famed singer-actor Mya also appears in the opening musical number.

Production

Development began after Damien Chazelle's success with *Whiplash*, with the film initially set up at Summit Entertainment. Chazelle cited the influence of classic musicals like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and the works of Jacques Demy, as well as Singin' in the Rain. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles over 42 days, with key sequences shot at iconic locations such as the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, the Griffith Observatory, and the Warner Bros. Studios backlot. The elaborate opening number, "Another Day of Sun," was filmed on a closed ramp of the Interstate 105. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren used CinemaScope and vibrant color palettes to create a nostalgic yet modern visual style.

Music

The film's acclaimed score and songs were composed by Justin Hurwitz, Chazelle's frequent collaborator since their days at Harvard University. Lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the words for the songs, including the central themes "City of Stars" and "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)." The music blends traditional jazz with sweeping orchestral melodies, performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony. The soundtrack album, released by Interscope Records, became a commercial success, topping the Billboard 200 chart and winning the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Release and reception

*La La Land* premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2016, where it received a standing ovation. Its wide theatrical release in the United States began on December 9, 2016, by Lionsgate. The film was a major critical and commercial success, grossing over $446 million worldwide against a $30 million budget. Critics praised the film's direction, performances, music, cinematography, and its nostalgic yet bittersweet tone. Major publications like The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and *Variety* featured glowing reviews, with many highlighting it as a revitalization of the movie musical genre.

Accolades

The film received widespread recognition during the 2016 awards season. At the 89th Academy Awards, it was nominated for a record-tying 14 Oscars, winning six: Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Actress for Emma Stone, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("City of Stars"), and Best Production Design. It also won seven BAFTA Awards, including Best Film, and a record-breaking seven Golden Globe Awards, sweeping every category in which it was nominated.

Category:2016 films Category:American musical films Category:American romantic comedy-drama films