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.

I thought it was awful. I love old school Hollywood musicals, and had high hopes from the opening sequence. Unfortunately I didn't think the rest of the film had this feel to it - probably because there were hardly any songs and non were particularly memorable! I couldn't warm to either of the main characters (especially RG, who I normally like - he seemed a bit of a moody, selfish git). The plot felt like it was being made up as they went along.

There's something John Legend's character said about how the old jazz heros weren't current anymore, young people hadn't heard of them and jazz needed to move with the times so it doesn't die out. This is exactly what I thought this film would be to musicals! - a fresh and modern take on an classic genre. Sadly, for me, it wasn't.

The sets and cinematography were beautiful though.

Massive Spoiler!!
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN

The ending I find really annoying. She was only going to Paris for a few months! Did she forget all about him in that time? It annoys me so much in films when someone suddenly sees an ex/one-that-got-away and they remember/realise how much they love them. Surely, if they were so important to them and they had so many feelings for them they would have given them a second thought at some point over the intervening years, and maybe looked up if they ever got their club set up etc.

I went with DS2 (25). He loved it-me not so much. We had a good old discussion about it.
Neither of us were charmed by Emma Stone's quirky chick act. Ryan Gosling was charming and believable. John Legend was good and I enjoyed his song which was meant to be a travesty.
The ending was brilliant and made me cry.

She was only going to Paris for a few months! Did she forget all about him in that time? It annoys me so much in films when someone suddenly sees an ex/one-that-got-away and they remember/realise how much they love them. Surely, if they were so important to them and they had so many feelings for them they would have given them a second thought at some point over the intervening years, and maybe looked up if they ever got their club set up etc.

Well they split up really because of his touring/uncertain future, not because of her shoot in Paris.

In the real world you'd stalk an ex on FB, but obviously that's not going to make a great Hollywood story!

Just saw it, it was ok - didn't really blow me away like I was hoping for as i love quirky musicals and considering the great reviews. The end was a bit sad but i didn't shed one tear and i can be a real sprinkler. Good to see Hollywood try something a bit different though.

It was OK. I might have liked it more if I had no expectations about it. The best bit was ES's final audition but the last scene was pretty heavy. The jazz stuff I just didn't buy and fell flat - and I went to see it for the jazz link!

I just felt all the special effects and quirky scene changes were too try hard.

A real disappointment. My DD 12 loved it tho!

Loved it. Didn't find any bits lulled or were boring, didn't expect how the ending would be and have no idea how people don't think the songs are catchy, my internal stereo has had the first song on repeat all afternoon.

I walked round asda afterwards really feeling like I could swing my basket around and have a little dance.

I didn't obviously.

It looked great, beautifully shot, made LA look gorgeous, lots of old film references.

Which was just as well, because it dragged like hell for the first hour.

I like Emma Stone in general, and she did her damnedest to carry the thing, but Ryan Gosling was badly miscast, came across as a very dull person indeed, not a passionate artist (although I accept he could be both). Well done to him for trying to learn to play the piano, but it would've been better if he'd left it to the professionals.

SPOILER

Main problem was the godawful script. Seb is a horrible person - physically forcing Mia out of his way, refusing to apologise, refusing to listen to her saying she doesn't like jazz, only ever taking her to jazz clubs, doesn't get on with anyone else either. Refusal to compromise might be a characteristic of a great artist, it's also a characteristic of an arsehole. Having Mia still being obsessed with that prick five years later was rather irksome.

John Legend should have been in it more.

I couldn't understand how our for 14 Oscar nominations until I heard that the voting members of the Academy don't usually get round to watching all the folks they vote for, they just go with whichever had the most convincing publicity.

I loved it, I thought Emma Stone carried the film, she was luminous. I totally believed her relationship with Ryan G and he redeemed himself by his total desire for her to succeed and belief in her talant. The opening sequence is awesome.

OK so I bought the sountrack. I can't get the songs outta my head. I think I might have to see it again. It may be a slow burner for me as I haven't stopped thinking about it since I got home!

I thought it was terrible, we left about half way through to go to the pub.

I was bored by parts of it too. I really wanted to to love it but kept waiting for something to happen. Visually it was very pleasing and overall I'd describe it as a 'nice' film but have no burning desire to see it again nor would I say to anyone I know "you must see it" I'd have preferred a bit more music and dance content so that something was actually happening. I felt there was a lack of chemistry between the lead characters. I liked the ending. For me, the ending saved it.

I thought it was a bit slow, harmless enough and feel good, DD10 loved it. We went because it was freezing, foggy and drizzly and I wanted to do something!

I agree that the award nominations are because it is about LA. It doesn't deserve them at all.

I totally loved it. (Fellow hater of Mamma Mia, Blood brothers is my all time favourite)
Loved the songs, the dancing, the cinematography, and loved that there wasn't a cliched ending.
I did find Seb's character a bit cold, but that was only a minor annoyance

Saw this with dd today and we loved it. I hated Mamma Mia.
I've bought the sountrack and dd is teaching herself to play one of the songs on the piano.
I think Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are great together. We are fans of them in Crazy Stupid Love. Their partnership is what drew my attention to this one.

Saw this today and really wanted to love it. But, meh. I don't think the hype has done it any favours at all. And the ending. What a bummer. It didn't make me sad, it just made me leave feeling completely flat and like it had all been for nothing. I felt it really ruined the film. Everyone in the audience seemed to leave with a total 'wtf?' look on their faces. Such a shame as I really expected great things, I too grew up on a diet of old Hollywood musicals but this just lacked something.

Sloane everyone in the viewing I went to filed out in dejected silence too. Complete downer of an ending.

Yep, dejected silence after our viewing too.

People - including us - getting up to leave as soon as the credits rolled.

I thought the ending was interesting, but not particularly moving. I don't think Mia was obsessed with him 5 years later. I think she was happily married and had forgotten all about him until she saw him at the club.

I think the Sliding Doors section was to show that if Seb had not been a jerk they could have been happy together, but that also he wouldn't have followed his dream of having the club.

I think Emma Stone carried the film, but as is often the case, it was really his story rather than hers.

Saw it last night with friends - two of us male, three female. We all absolutely loved all, all plan on seeing it again. Downloaded the score and soundtrack as soon as I got home. Two of the women had several weepy moments and we all agreed it was the right ending, if not the usual ending you'd expect. I liked the fact that some of the dance numbers were shot in one long take and that the singing was natural rather than the most fabulous voices; made it more real (despite it being fantasy). Everyone at our showing - some 200 people I would guess - stayed for the credits.

But at the same time, I can see why it is either "love it" or "disappointed" for most people.

It is a 2 hour perfume ad.

Shatnerswig

I'm surprised 5 of you all had the same reaction. I went with 2 female friends and they liked it much more than me.

I didn't really feel anything for this film. It left me quite cold. The relationship between the two of them is not credible- no chemistry. Just watched them both on Graham Norton (on iplayer) and there was definitely no chemistry there. He was cold in the film and he came across as cold on Graham's sofa. I don't think he looked at Emma once.

At 2 hours and 8 minutes it was 25 minutes too long. It dragged. Where was the editor?

The styling was great, Emma was sweet, some moving tribute moments to musical movies of old, but I didn't feel connected to the characters and the story was ... yawn.

Now, if you really want a good film to go and see - book tickets to Jackie. Stunning.

I saw it for the 3rd time yesterday. I just love watching the development of the relationship between them. The unexpected ending makes it a better love story I'm beginning to think. Does that sound weird? Really looking forward to having the DVD now. A few scenes I could live without, they add nothing but I still think it could become a classic.

Give me The Holiday anyday for an LA love story.

Bit late to the party as only just seen it. Also thought it was'ok'
Cinematography- great.
Acting & singing / ok
Jazz - tedious - I hate jazz!!
No idea why it's so hyped up.