La La Land
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| La La Land | |
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| Name | La La Land |
| Caption | Theatrical release poster |
| Director | Damien Chazelle |
| Producer | Marc Platt, Jordan Horowitz, Fred Berger |
| Writer | Damien Chazelle |
| Starring | Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone |
| Music | Justin Hurwitz |
| Cinematography | Linus Sandgren |
| Editing | Tom Cross |
| Studio | Gilbert Films, Marc Platt Productions, Blumhouse Productions |
| Distributor | Lionsgate, Summit Entertainment |
| Released | 2016 |
| Runtime | 128 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $30–30.5 million |
| Gross | $446 million |
La La Land La La Land is a 2016 American romantic musical film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as a jazz pianist and an aspiring actress who pursue careers in Los Angeles while navigating love and ambition. La La Land blends traditional Hollywood musical elements with contemporary storytelling and cinematic techniques, and it received widespread attention at major film festivals and awards ceremonies.
Plot
The narrative follows Sebastian, a jazz pianist committed to reviving classic jazz, and Mia, an actress pursuing theatrical and film roles in Los Angeles. Their relationship develops through sequences set against locations such as the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Bowl, and downtown Los Angeles, intersecting with industry milieus including auditions, jazz clubs, and film studios. The plot culminates in a multi-part final act featuring a dreamlike fantasy sequence that reframes their relationship against career outcomes and artistic choices.
Cast and characters
Principal performers include Ryan Gosling as Sebastian and Emma Stone as Mia. Supporting roles feature John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, J. K. Simmons, Finn Wittrock, Tom Everett Scott, and Sonoya Mizuno. The casting process connected to agencies and production companies that worked in Los Angeles casting networks and theatrical circuits. Crew members instrumental to character realization included choreographers, vocal coaches, music arrangers, and the costume and production design teams who collaborated with the director.
Production
The film was conceived and written by Damien Chazelle following his earlier work on a contemporary music-themed drama. Producers Marc Platt, Jordan Horowitz, and Fred Berger secured financing through production companies and distributors, with Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment handling distribution. Principal photography utilized long takes, wide lenses, and stylized color palettes coordinated by cinematographer Linus Sandgren. Production design evoked iconic Los Angeles landmarks and Golden Age Hollywood sets, while set construction and location permits involved municipal departments and private landmark custodians. Choreography and staging drew on Hollywood musical traditions, with rehearsals led by choreographers collaborating closely with Gosling and Stone. Editing and postproduction integrated visual effects and scoring sessions recorded with orchestras and jazz ensembles.
Music and soundtrack
Justin Hurwitz composed the film score and original songs, with lyrics by Pasek and Paul. Songs such as the opening ensemble number and the aria-like ballads were arranged for orchestra, rhythm sections, and jazz combos. The soundtrack recording sessions involved studio orchestras, session musicians, and jazz instrumentalists to achieve period-inflected sonorities. Musical supervision coordinated song placement with montage sequences, choreography, and diegetic performances in clubs and auditions. The soundtrack release appeared on physical and digital formats, charting on national album charts and receiving awards recognition.
Release and box office
The film premiered at major film festivals before wide release handled by Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment. Marketing campaigns included trailers, posters, festival screenings, and press tours involving critics from major publications and broadcast programs. Theatrical distribution covered multiplexes, independent cinemas, and international markets, resulting in robust box office performance relative to its production budget. Ancillary revenue streams included home video releases, streaming licensing agreements, and soundtrack sales across music retailers and digital platforms.
Reception and accolades
Critics and audiences offered praise for direction, performances, cinematography, score, and choreography, while some commentary addressed narrative choices and homage elements. The film competed at award ceremonies and institutions, receiving nominations and wins from organizations including major national film academies, critics' circles, and guilds. It was honored across categories encompassing acting, directing, music, cinematography, and production design at high-profile ceremonies and festivals.
Cultural impact and legacy
The film stimulated renewed public interest in jazz, classic musical forms, and Los Angeles as a cinematic setting. It influenced filmmakers, choreographers, and composers engaging with musical cinema and urban storytelling. Academic and critical discussions situated it among contemporary studies of genre revivalism, performance studies, and film music scholarship. The film's imagery and sequences became reference points in popular culture, parodies, and tributes across television, theater, and internet media, contributing to its ongoing presence in cinematic discourse.
Damien Chazelle Ryan Gosling Emma Stone Justin Hurwitz Pasek and Paul Linus Sandgren Marc Platt Jordan Horowitz Fred Berger Lionsgate Summit Entertainment Griffith Observatory Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles John Legend Rosemarie DeWitt J. K. Simmons Finn Wittrock Tom Everett Scott Sonoya Mizuno Blumhouse Productions Gilbert Films Soundtrack albums Orchestra Jazz Choreography Cinematography Film festival Academy Awards Golden Globe Award BAFTA Critics' Choice Awards Musical film Hollywood Golden Age of Hollywood Film score Session musician Soundtrack chart Box office Film distribution Film editing Production design Costume design Press tour Film critics Film scholarship Performance studies Television Theater Internet media Festival screening Marketing (film) Home video Streaming media Sound recording Orchestration Music supervision Diegetic music Non-diegetic music Rehearsal Audition Jazz club Musical revival Genre studies Film music Cultural legacy Tribute Parody Audience reception Critical reception Awards ceremony Festival premiere Press release Soundtrack release Studio orchestra Film poster Theatrical release International box office Independent cinema Multiplex Production company Distributor Casting director Choreographer Vocal coach Session musician Score recording Editing room Visual effects Location permit Set construction Orchestra conductor Ballad Ensemble number Dream sequence Finale Dance sequence Musical staging Jazz ensemble Piano Acting Directing Screenwriting Composer Lyricist Music arranger Soundtrack sales Film legacy
Category:2016 films Category:American musical films