In 2006 I moved away from the LA area. It was primarily an economic decision – not just about money, but also time and energy. The move remains the right decision for our family, but I regularly miss LA. I don’t miss the traffic (I visited recently and was reminded of just how long it takes to get anywhere), and I definitely don’t miss the high cost of living ($4.00 gas?). What I miss (aside from myriad friends) is the unique, nearly mystical feeling that LA is the place where the impossible becomes real. Or, as Disney frames it, where dreams come true. What keeps these dreams alive is that LA is filled with celebrities who have realized their dreams. It is this mystique that is the driving force behind LA LA Land.
[Spoiler Alert: I trace the general outline of the narrative in these next three paragraphs. If you want to preserve the powerful way this story unfolds until you experience the film, skip the next three paragraphs and then read on]
This mystique is on display in the way that the film’s main characters are drawn together. In a seeming homage to LA Story, events beyond coincidence conspire to bring Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) together. As the story unfolds, each passionately pursues their respective dreams in the performing arts, and they encourage each other in the process, confident that if they doggedly pursue their passions, their dreams will come true despite the road blocks each faces.
However, as is the case for many in LA, while the allure of dreams coming true never dies, not every dream is realized. For both Mia and Sebastian, the pursuit of their dreams wavers, threatening to be thwarted by either the perceived realities of growing up or simply giving up. But they find a way to keep their dreams alive and in one of the most powerful scenes of the film, Mia’s dream is reinvigorated and ultimately realized.
Dreams often come; however, with real costs. In this case, the passion for fulfilling their dreams cause Mia and Sebatian to drift apart. While a very quick and clever exploration of what might have been takes the audience through the “classic Hollywood ending” they might want, the reality is that in the course of chasing their dreams – their obvious love for one another aside – their paths diverged. And while this might seem heartbreaking, especially for a film featuring Ryan Gosling, each understands that realizing their dreams is worth it in the end.
[End of Spoilers]
LA LA Land succeeds in telling a uniquely LA story. LA serves as the visual backdrop throughout the film and there were many homesickness inducing moments throughout. The irony that while the film was segmented into “seasons” the weather never changed was not lost on this native Californian who has endured temperatures in the 20s and 30s this winter. Also not lost was the suggestion that the magic of LA springs from everyone collectively pursuing their dreams. This idea of LA is what draws millions of tourists to Disneyland and Universal Studios each year, it is what drives all of the upstart bands playing on Sunset, it is what fills casting rooms, it is what creates magical public spaces like Citywalk or The Grove, it is what keeps valets and hostesses who are barely scraping by going.
Also notable were the tributes the film paid to the cinematic tradition of musicals from the 30s, 40s and 50s. These homages worked in concert with the conversation in LA LA Land about dying art forms such as jazz, classic cinema, and local theatre. In the eventual success (which should be no surprise) of the main characters realizing their dreams, there is a call to today’s artists to carefully consider the genuine art at work in these classic forms. It is certainly not the spirit of LA to norm into the broader society. It is the norm of LA to be the dreamscape that creates the next wave of the future. But this doesn’t happen if dreams are allowed to die on the altar of big data; that is, simply giving the perceived audience what it wants. More is required by dreamers of the next generation lest art lose its power, regardless of its form.
LA LA Land is a tour de force of cinematic art that is well-deserving of all of the attention it is receiving and will receive as award season presses forward. The film works at many different levels simultaneously, which adds to its beauty and sophistication. Cinematically the film is gorgeous, capturing not only the stellar performances by Stone and Gosling but also the unmistakable backdrops that define LA. The film waxes simultaneously nostalgic while not losing an eye toward the future.
This carefully and wonderfully told story of the audacity of love and pursuing your dreams may leave fans of more contemporary films (read, mass-marketed/popular) behind, but those who get LA (or have always wanted to get it) and love independent film will find much here to love.
Thanks, Carl – Rich and I loved LA LA Land for many of the reasons you have stated so eloquently.