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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:
KERALA1 · 16/01/2017 20:20

Not sure you have - at least half of us loved it...

Debi36 · 16/01/2017 20:23

I was disappointed.......I thought Manchester by Sea was a stunning film though.

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 16/01/2017 20:27

I always watch as many of the 'awards' films as I can as we stay up all night to watch and have a vote...

I loved it... (and whoever it was that said The Artist was terrible, how?!!!) It reminded me of sitting watching old Hollywood musicals with my grandad and was completely nostalgic. I've had 'city of stars' in my head for three days!

KERALA1 · 16/01/2017 20:30

Boycotting that one due to Casey affleck sexual harassment - was in independent and guardian. He sounds vile

BabCNesbitt · 16/01/2017 22:15

I was really excited for this after seeing the trailer, but I came out feeling very "meh". Emma Stone was charming but Ryan Gosling was a charisma vacuum, there was no chemistry between them, and so I just didn't believe in or care about their relationship. And the show tunes and dancing were underwhelming and forgettable. I wasn't exactly longing for the end, but I certainly didn't wish for more.

lurkingnonparent · 16/01/2017 22:52



lurkingnonparent · 16/01/2017 22:54


Oops, I meant to post this. Anyone else have these guys in mind?

lurkingnonparent · 16/01/2017 22:56

Sigh. Don't know if it worked as not showing on my phone but that was pic of Rowlf and Miss Piggy.

I found the film underwhelming.

MirandaWest · 16/01/2017 23:19

11 year old DD and XH saw it yesterday as well (same cinema as DH and me but the next showing).

They both enjoyed it and were trying to find the sheet music afterwards. DD not happy with the ending - I suspect she has a romantic soul.

I am considering going to see it again Grin

KERALA1 · 17/01/2017 08:56

I found it overwhelming rather than underwhelming - I was surprised how moving I found it I rarely cry at films but did at this one. What a saddo Grin

We have listened to the soundtrack a lot since and the songs get stronger on relistening imo.

BagelGoesWalking · 17/01/2017 10:06

tumpy I loved your review, DD and I felt the same. We're also thinking of going again Grin

user1484565872 · 17/01/2017 10:09

why's it called la la land. i feel that title is. confusing*

user1484565872 · 17/01/2017 10:09

why's it called la la land. i feel that title is. confusing*

JerryFerry · 17/01/2017 10:15

Absolutely loved it. Thought the leads were brilliant, Emma Stone was luminous. Loved how they had weak points, made it so much more real somehow. Love, love, loved it.

saffronwblue · 17/01/2017 10:21

I thought that visually it was lovely, the music was nice but I could not get engaged with the characters or really care about what happened to them. And it was too long.

Why if she was a struggling waitress did she have so many pretty dresses and go to fancy parties? I just found her lovely to look at but she did not seem to have a great drive beyond wanting to be famous.

It will win heaps of awards because actors think their 'struggle' is the bravest story every told.

It was a very 'white' nostalgia. Great that the pretty white guy could stop jazz being sold out.

KERALA1 · 17/01/2017 11:00

I think you kind of needed to suspend disbelief re the nice dresses on a barista's salary - after all this is a film where people fly in the air and dance around motorways in perfect co-ordination with strangers - gritty social reality it ain't!

tumpymummy · 17/01/2017 12:41

bagel Thankyou! Blush

user It's called La La Land because that's another name for Los Angeles. Also I think it refers to the fact that it's all a bit bonkers. As kerala says you have to just enjoy it for what it is. Musicals are not usually completely true to life!

Juicyfrooty · 17/01/2017 12:54

I wanted to love it, I'm a huge ryan gosling fan, but I was disappointed.

I don't get it, stone and gosling had way more chemistry in the movie crazy stupid love and he is so charismatic and charming in films like blue valentine but I just didn't feel it in this film.

Dunlurking · 17/01/2017 13:21

I'd never seen Ryan Gosling in anything before sad sheltered life and loved the chemistry in this so much I ordered the DVD of Crazy Stupid Love straight away.

Cedilla · 17/01/2017 18:06

I've just come back from seeing it and really liked it (I can rarely say I 'love' a film so 'really liked' is good!).

I'd say it was a film with music and dancing rather than a musical, if that makes sense. Not much of a story, but I think they did succeed in making it work, and I did believe in the two leads. I also have a hopeless crush soft spot for Ryan Gosling, who I think is very droll and subtle in his acting, and although yes, he's not the world's greatest dancer, he's very graceful and watchable. More so than Emma Stone, for me.

Had something in my eye during the end sequence, ahem! Though that was slightly marred by someone behind me whispering loudly I DIDNT UNDERSTAND ANY OF THAT Grin

The opening sequence was just staggering and left me thinking 'how long did that take to plan/organise/rehearse/film/do retakes?’ I'm still thinking about it now!

Shakey15000 · 17/01/2017 21:26

I didn't like it and I really wanted to

I was bored stiff to be honest. Found it really slow, not much happening/storyline. I suspended my belief so much I could have hit the ceiling but to no avail. Not quite sure how it won so many awards.

mentaldental · 18/01/2017 07:59

I saw it last night and was expecting to love it. I didn't enjoy it at all.
DD17 was also bored to tears and she loves a musical.
I felt nothing for the characters, didn't believe their relationship and didn't really care if they made it or not.
Genuinely can't understand how something with so little plot has had such rave reviews. So disappointed.

Clawdy · 18/01/2017 10:02

I was convinced it would be over- hyped, and expected to be left a bit cold. I absolutely loved it. Magic from start to heart-rending finish. Amazing chemistry between the two leads, I hardly knew them, but now adore them!

KERALA1 · 18/01/2017 10:13

I find it so interesting how it divides opinion assuming we a similar ish demographic. Dh also loved it though has asked me to perhaps play some different music as dds and I have had sound track on on a loop since Sunday Grin

sakura06 · 18/01/2017 15:51

I was enjoying the film until the ending! The ending just made me feel really sad, like one or the other had regretted their lives (even though I'm sure most people have flights of fancy of 'What if?').

I thought it looked stunning as a film and I think it deserves some cinematography or direction awards.

I liked the music, but felt it must be galling to genuine musical actors to watch Hollywood stars get roles in supposed 'musicals' when they're only competent singers.

I do love Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling though. There were some really funny moments, like the 80s cover band. However, the ending ultimately made me feel like I should've stayed home and watched 'Crazy Stupid Love' instead!