Soundtrack
This film has a lot of memorable sound design elements, music, and choreography. The songs fit perfectly with the storyline and move the characters’ emotions and obstacles. Jazz is a key element in the film, the crucial genre of the characters and story. Connecting through the rhythm of the instruments and people, the vibrations of the sound, the energy it all gives off, the passion and power it holds to the universe is critical and simple at the same time. This picture won 6 Oscars in 2017, including best original score, best sound mixing and best sound editing. The soundtrack was composed by Justin Herwitz with lyrics from Pasek and Paul. It would be really described best as a melodic, jazz-infused blend of modern pop and classic Hollywood musical styles that drive the films’ narrative of love and artistic ambition. Along with the time jumps, the score evolves with the seasons, from the bright, chaotic opening to more intimate, and ultimately melancholy moments and melodies.
Actors/Characters
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star in this beautiful film, and their chemistry is so worthwhile and dynamic. It’s always a thrill to watch anything these two are in. Emma stars as Mia Dolan, an inspiring young actress working as a barista. Ryan Gosling plays Sebastian Wilder, a dedicated jazz pianist. Other notable appearances include John Legend, J.K. Simmons, and Josh Pence.
Director
Damien Chazelle directed this film and many others, including Whiplash (2014) and Babylon (2022). He is a French American filmmaker and has made multiple Oscar winning pictures. Damien came up with the idea for La La Land when he was a student at Harvard, where he and his classmate Justin Herwitz (who composed music in both La La Land and Whiplash) explored ideas together, brainstorming what could come to life about a low-budget musical about a Boston jazz musician and Madeline on a park bench. According to Brendan Cassidy from In Session Film/Rotten Tomatoes in a review on La La Land published on June 18th, 2016, “Chazelle shows how to appropriately wear your influences on your sleeve; La La Land pays homage to the musicals of Hollywood’s heyday (i.e. Fred Astaire and Singin’ in the Rain) but also feels grounded in modern reality, a feeling of progression rather than regression.”
Time Jumps
La La Land utilizes a structural, four act seasonal format that acts as a narrative, emotional, and temporal guide for the relationship between Mia and Sebastian. The time jumps in this movie are so intriguing. The timing of this movie progresses through seasons, starting with winter, starting in a traffic jam during winter, setting up the scene for struggling artists. Followed by spring, representing new life, summer representing the honeymoon phase, fall signifying decay… In the final act there is a big five year time jump into the future, along with an epilogue at the end. It’s hard to say much about these time jumps without giving away the plot and avoiding spoilers. Their relationship progresses, their directions in life move and change as time passes. The structure of these time jumps and seasons is similar to the French musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
Rating
Written by Jenn Sumbera, Lethbridge Polytechnic
