Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Films

Related: TV discussion forum.

Original poster

La-la Land

164 replies

echt · 26/12/2016 03:31

Well, I saw this today. It was very good, and I was brought up on the weekly "Hollywood Musical" on BBC, so came equipped with the musical checklist.

I struggled at first as in my head I wanted to hear (and see) the old timey stuff instead of the contemporary re-imagining that is done in this film. Once I relaxed into it, I loved it and will watch it again. I liked the way the actors' feet were included in dancing shots. I had not imagined either Gosling or Stone as singers or dancers, nor are they perfect, but it hardly matters. The dance with that shot in is lovely.

OP posts:
dudsville · 26/12/2016 07:38

I'm looking forward to seeing this! It's not out yet where I am.

Igottastartthinkingbee · 03/01/2017 11:18

Looking forward to checking this out! Most likely a lone cinema trip as DH isn't convinced.

BagelGoesWalking · 06/01/2017 01:04

Already booked tickets for next Thursday with DD17. We are both really looking forward to it. It's been getting rave reviews from critics so far.

Original poster
echt · 10/01/2017 08:47

I can't think why it was released in Australia so early; it's usually the sign of an Aussie or Kiwi connection, and I can't think of one.

Anyhoo, I'm going to see it again. In a cinema that only has reclining seats. And mind-boggling prices that will be barely covered by the birthday voucher I got last year.

OP posts:
anotheryearcomesandgoes · 11/01/2017 07:24

I went in the UK- pre screening.

Didn't enjoy it at all. Wasn't a feel good film. Came out deflated. He cant dance well and she cant sing well but that wasn't why I didn't like it,

MY DH said that he enjoyed it- much more his type of film but after talking as we left the cinema didn't mention it again so certainly wasn't wowed.

As we left the cinema they were asking people what they thought and everyone was heads down not answering, trying not to be rude I think but not full of positive comments.

anotheryearcomesandgoes · 11/01/2017 07:36

The second that it ended the whole audience got up and left in the dark still. That is really unusual for this cinema- most people sit until the end. There were a group of women in their 20s next to use who had been very loud before the film but they were almost silent leaving as well.

Went out into rainy London night with a tube strike which kind of summed it up. Disappointing and deflating. Didn't even make me cry - so it obviously hadn't managed to engage me.

Aspects of the cinematography were great. Some lovely scenes and shots but something missing

When I woke up and saw that it had won many awards I was bemused.

Fur coat and no knickers film for me. Hyped up but just didn't deliver.

QueenMortificado · 12/01/2017 22:27

anotheryear completely agree with you

Saw it tonight and it really lacked something for me. The opening scene is amazing and some beautiful bits of cinematography, lovely settings etc

But I just didn't believe the chemistry of the two leads. Emma Stone is not a natural dancer, her hands and feat didn't look beautiful and she has a dainty look to her which didn't carry through in to her dancing. The ending made me feel deflated but I also sort of didn't care because I didn't actually believe the relationship.

Surprised it's got such rave reviews tbh.

lljkk · 12/01/2017 22:39

Why does it have such a stupid name? Really puts me off.

QueenMortificado · 12/01/2017 22:44

Play on words of being away with the fairies and it being in LA?

GreedyDuck · 12/01/2017 22:46

Saw it tonight, absolutely loved it. Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling have amazing chemistry. Wept like a baby at the end. Nice cameo from J K Simmons who was so brilliant in Chazelle's previous film, Whiplash. Stone is luminous. Gosling is hot and funny.

Much needed respite from real life, and made me want to go back to LA, even though I loathed it last time I was there. Great cinematography.

BagelGoesWalking · 13/01/2017 01:14

I loved it too! Loved seeing J K Simmonds again, loved the opening scene, loved the cinematography, LOVED the dancing, it didn't matter to me that perhaps not all the dancing was top notch. Saw it with DD 17 who was just blown away by it all, she loved it. We were talking about it on the way home and until she went to bed. It was beautiful and bittersweet.

LA LA Land is a nickname for Los Angeles (Hollywood in particular), pretty obvious as LA are the initials of Los Angeles.

Anyone reading this, go and see it for yourselves, then decide, it's great Grin

Finbar · 13/01/2017 07:29

It was utterly disappointing. If you want to see amazing singing and dancing watch High Society or Singing in the Rain
Too long- the editor must have been on hols
Too cutesy
No story
Plus mansplaing of Jazz
And all black actors except one were bar staff or backing singers. Or guess what - jazz musicians. So in that respect it was quite true to the Hollywood musicals of old!

FlangePlacket · 13/01/2017 08:41

overhyped. it will win (or at least be nominated for) a heap of Hollywood awards just because Hollowood absolutely loves films about itself.

Singing in the rain etc I agree.

CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 13/01/2017 17:18

I saw it this morning. I liked the premise of the film. Thought it was classy. But, I was expecting more. I came out feeling v deflated and down - when I'm normally a happy go lucky type person.

Oh and dd 16 weeks obviously didn't think much of it as she slept all the way through it GrinWink

Igottastartthinkingbee · 13/01/2017 19:08

This film is really splitting opinions! The people who love it REALLY love it though so I'm gonna give a go in case I'm one of those people!

Chatelherault · 13/01/2017 22:22

I liked it, and can we why some people loved it, but it didn't totally hit the mark for me.

Ryan gosling is hot though, and the final scene is sad

MagicMarkers · 13/01/2017 22:56

I liked it, but didn't love it and it was sadder than I expected. Their singing isn't great.

I liked its style and the acting was good, but I was bored by a few of the dance numbers. For me, it could have done with a more attractive leading man.

Have you seen the reviews on IMDB? A mixture of 10s and 1s out of ten. I don't think it deserves some of the rave reviews. I'd probably give it a 7.

Silverstar20 · 14/01/2017 16:44

I think this is a great film. It draws on the great musicals of the past, such as Singing in the Rain, but it is not a pastiche; it is very much a film about the LA of today by showing the struggles that artists face there, but it is still totally happy and enjoyable.

LAlady · 14/01/2017 18:24

I saw it today and thought it was fabulous. Really enjoyed it.

TurkeyDinosaurs · 14/01/2017 18:45

Absoluteolute rubbish. Every few years there are films like this that are over hyped just like The Artist.

user1475439961 · 14/01/2017 18:59

I thought it was charming until the end. I cried my eyes out & started pining for my first love. Oh well.

Dancergirl · 14/01/2017 23:53

For those who have seen it - do you think it would appeal to a nearly 10 year old girl? I'd like like to see it but not sure if to take dd or not.

theluckiest · 15/01/2017 00:31

Just got back from watching this and, my god, has it divided opinion!! DH absolutely loved it; I really don't know. I think I was disappointed. Definitely not what I expected. Thought it would be a real upbeat, feel good film and it left me feeling rather sad.

It looked lovely and I enjoyed the performances. Even the singing.

A film hasn't divided opinion this much since 'Casino' - that nearly ended in divorce.

Definitely worth seeing to make up your own mind though.

Gooseysgirl · 15/01/2017 06:07

Went with my mum and loved until the last ten mins - I understand the ending but really didn't like it and it wrecked the film for me. There was a stunned silence in the cinema so I don't think we were the only ones..

KERALA1 · 15/01/2017 07:39

Is it ok for Pre teen girls? Dh and I want to go and take kids as we all went to la last summer so should bring back happy holiday memories.