La-la Land

[echt]

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.

DH and I are going to see it later on today. He was the one who suggested going to see it and I wouldn't have thought it would be his kind of film but we will see.

Another who was disappointed - I liked it but didn't love it. Perhaps the reviews raised my expectations too high.

Thought it was far too long and oddly lacked emotional impact. I was totally unmoved.

Are we allowed to discuss the ending? SPOILER ALERT!

I too sat quietly at the end, along with the rest of the cinema. It certainly defied expectations as none of the reviews had implied a bittersweet ending. Then I walked away and thought about it, and loved that I thought about it, rather than finding it a feel good romance. Seb was a bit of a bastard at times. He reminded me strongly of an ex boyfriend. Half the film I felt sad and wistful remembering the boyfriend, but I was grateful for the ending as it reminded me life moves on, people want different things and that's OK and the later relationship can work better for who you are and what you want.

I'm keen to see it again to make sense of the sequence at the end where they have a different life together. I'm not sure whether it is Seb imagining it or Mia, or they are jointly doing it, but there is a lot in there I couldn't process in the time, it is so quick.

Dancer girl/Kerala - I'd say it's fine for a pre-teen to see, although I'd wonder if they'd be a bit bored.

Nothing sexual/violent/upsetting/scary. It could have been a PG really, not sure what merited the 12A.

Mine were riveted through 3 hour theatre version of les mis so should be fine with this thanks for confirmation nothing too graphic

I'm thinking of taking my 11yo dd this afternoon - good to see nothing too graphic/risky!! I was really looking forward to it but reading the reviews above I have a feeling she might love it more than me!

Thanks patsy I think it might be a bit too long for my youngest dd. My teen dds really want to see it, might go next weekend.

Shame about the very mixed reviews on here!

I was disappointed as I was really looking forward to it.

Next to no story line, the songs aren't great, I couldn't give a shit about any of the characters at all. Teen dd has walked out.

No idea why it won so many awards at all.

My DP took me to see it last night (he is clearly trying to get into my good books as he can't stand musicals!)

I am one of the absolutely adored it brigade. Stunning scenes - especially the opening scene, catchy tunes (I've got the sheet music today and have spent most of the afternoon on Mia and Sebastian's theme and Another Day of Sun on the piano), and great chemistry between Stone and Gosling.

They may not be the best dancers in the world but it really looks like they are enjoying it and it made me smile.

I'm also impressed that Ryan Gosling's two hand doubles were sent home at the start of filming as he'd learned how to play jazz piano well enough in 3-4 months to be able to do it himself.

I'd be back in the cinema again tonight if i could!

Saw it today and didn't like it. Thought it was really dull, no real plot, far too long and agree that their relationship just didn't feel believable. Dp thought they had chemistry between them, but if it was there, I certainly couldn't find it. Really disappointing. And the ending made me cross.

DH and I both enjoyed it Lasted just the right amount of time and the end to me felt realistic in as much as an unrealistic film could be. And we liked the colours and the singing and dancing .

Have heard XH us taking 11 year old DD to see it now so will see what she thinks of it

Just back from the cinema and me and dd (11) both loved it. I found it really refreshing and different to anything I've seen for ages and loved the colours, music and escapism. I think it needs to be watched for what it is - gosling and stone are not Fred Astaire and ginger rogers but I thought they had great chemistry and were charming and I loved the modern but timeless feel.

Another one here who loved it! I think if people are expecting a musical like Singing in the Rain then they will be disappointed. It's a film with a lot of music and some dancing rather than a film musical in the traditional sense. It has lengthy segments that don't have song and dance numbers. I thought it was beautifully acted, lovely cinematography, great lighting and music. The melody that repeats as a leitmotif is still going through my head 24 hours later. I saw a review that said the city of LA was the 3rd star in the film and I agree - it makes the place look quite magical - whereas in real life it's got some really ugly parts and is a bit of a dump!

We loved it! How can you say it's dull - I guess if you were expecting a thriller or something. Beautiful - I found myself in tears Dh loved it too and both dds. Loved seeing la too we saw places we visited last summer so made it even better. So glad we went lovely family trip.

Think the balance might be tipping in its favour . . .

Scrolling though rotten tomatoes reviews the huge majority blown away - many in spite of themselves. My dds currently playing it and we have listened to the music non stop since!

Love, love, loved it! Is now up there as one of my all time favourite films. But then I do love a good musical.

I loved the opening sequence - reminded me of Fame (which i loved as a teenager)

I loved the chemistry between Seb and Mia.

I like the fact that they aren't the best dancers or singers, but they were still pretty good and that is part of their charm and made them believable, 'real' characters.

Having been to Los Angeles and Griffith Observatory as a family last summer that made it seem special.

I loved the fact that my 12 year old daughter loved the film so much that yesterday afternoon she taught herself how to play City of Stars on a keyboard that she hasn't touched for about 3 years.
I would say that it is a really good film to take tweens and teens to. It shows you that life can be hard, that you can dream and that relationships don't always have a hollywood happy ending.

Some people say that they dont like the ending, but I could totally relate to it. I love my husband and I'm glad about the way my life has turned out but La La Land made me think about the life I could have had if i had made different choices in my early 20s. Like another person has already said the film reminds me of my first real love and that makes me smile.

For me a good film is one that I connect to emotionally, and La La Land did that. I only have to watch the trailer again and it sets me off crying (not just sad tears, more emotional tears).

Already I cant wait until they bring out the Dvd, I shall be buying it straight away and I am considering going back to the cinema to see it again.

I was completely not planning on seeing it, despite being a big fan of old-school film musicals (more 30''s/40's than later), but....the publicity has got to me. I've now booked to see it tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. I rather like the fact that everyone says it's sort of downbeat.

Also, I love the way Ryan Gosling sings that song. A bit amateurishly, a bit as though he's singing to himself. Really touching and funny.

If I hate it I'll return tomorrow and take it all back

You will love it . The only way I think you could not is if you didn't like musicals as a genre fair enough then it's basically your worst nightmare.

Can't stop thinking about it - certainly cheers up a grey drizzly January.

Sorry but not a fan, and I love musicals.

I think it has been over hyped and so I was expecting more.

Will report back tomorrow

Musicals are my life, LIFE I tell you

I now purposely avoid reviews, trailers and everything I can for films I really want to see. They spoil any anticipation of the plot as trailers show far too much. In the past, high expectations of a film, following reviews, has led me to feel disappointed sometimes and can also give away the plot too much.

Much prefer to just go and make up my own mind. I've found its made a difference to my enjoyment of a film.

bagel very sensible. I went not really knowing much about the film which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. I hope I haven't hyped it up too much for anyone so that I have now spoilt it for them.

I like musicals. Still thought this was dull. The music/songs just not strong enough to counter the fact that there was virtually no plot.

I've found my people!

I love musicals but just could not get my head around this film. I thought the music was weak and I just didn't care enough about the main characters- they had no chemistry or story.

Meh!