La La Land: A Cinematic Symphony Or Overhyped Overture?

In the glittering realm of musical cinema, La La Land burst onto the scene in 2016, captivating audiences with its dazzling visuals, breathtaking music, and a tale of love and dreams set against the backdrop of modern-day Los Angeles. 

For some, it’s simply an experience of a lifetime, where every time one watches it, the dreamer within is set free in contemplation to explore the limits of passion, love, and deadlock within the limited scope of realities. The uniqueness and charm mostly overtake such an audience that the narrative delivers every step of the way. 

Now, without further ado! Let’s get on with things: 

La La Land: An Introduction To It…

And then there are the naysayers, who indeed acknowledge that La La Land is a major cinematic achievement in terms of bringing musicals back to the screen. But it simply can’t be categorized as the greatest musical of all time and most certainly didn’t deserve 14 nominations at the Oscars. 

Making the question as poignant as ever: Is “La La Land” truly the greatest musical of all time, or does it simply dance on the surface of a timeless genre? 

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A Melodic Journey Through Time

To evaluate La La Land’s claim to greatness, we must first traverse the vast landscape of musicals. 

From the golden age classics like Singin’ in the Rain, The Sound of Music, and Grease to modern hits like Moulin Rouge, A Star Is Born, and most recently Hamilton, the competition is pretty stiff. 

Each musical brings a unique flavor to the table, leaving audiences humming and tapping their feet. So, the question is, does “La La Land” manage to carve its distinct melody in this rich history?

I don’t know about the rest of you but for a novice critic like me. It does pack quite a punch. It may lack in terms of dancing prowess and perfection, but the chemistry, the vivid humor, and the music are incredible. 

Visual Symphony Or Spectacle?

One cannot discuss “La La Land” without acknowledging its visual mastery. 

Damien Chazelle’s masterful use of color, long takes, and breathtaking choreography elevates the film to a visual symphony. It gives the film dreamlike qualities, where dancing under night-lit stars looks believable. 

Still, some critics see it in a different light, arguing that the film’s emphasis on style overshadows the substance. So, can dazzling visuals alone secure its place as the greatest, or does a musical need more than a cinematic spectacle?

It surely can. The visuals are not just fluff. They bind the whole narrative together. The touch of magical realism that we see towards the end is all possible because of the visuals. The fading overshadows that let us look at the otherworldly possibilities that could have been possible in another reality or universe.

The Soundtrack’s Harmonic Spell

Justin Hurwitz’s enchanting score and the memorable songs of La La Land undoubtedly enrich its allure. 

The score created musical history in its own right, by ranking second on the US Billboard 200 and number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and winning the Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Obliterating all competition like it was nothing. 

From the infectious rhythm of “Another Day of Sun” to the soulful ballad of “City of Stars,” the soundtrack weaves a harmonic spell on the audience. Yet, does the film’s musical prowess match the timeless compositions of musical legends like Rodgers, Hammerstein, or Sondheim?

In its unique way, it carves out its distinct jazzy individuality, which has no equal, making it a timeless score that would never lose its allure and magic in any given age or era.

Winning Awards Or Just Giving Tough Competition? 

Did you know that the movie received 14 nominations and the Oscars? It is deemed as one of the classical movie musicals of this honour! Even though the movie has just six unique numbers, it has done something different when compared to other musicals! 

Do you know what it is? Some instances where the characters are singing songs as compared to other musicals in history. Of course, we cannot judge the movie based on the number of songs there are! However, the movie is a tribute to the powerful allure of Jazz! 

At times, there have been no unnecessary lyrics, and the stories are being told without words. For the audience, the quality of music has always taken an upper hand on the quantity of the songs.  

With the beautiful plot and extraordinary performances by the actors, Lala Land is one of the milestones of the Golden Age of cinema! The enchanting blend of modernity, and nostalgia, Lala Land as the movie celebrates the classic charm of Hollywood musicals. 

What Makes It Work? 

The contemporary storyline gives the movie traction in the industry even with a quiet start. It was my Christmas being watched in theatres nationwide even though there was a limited release. 

The stunning cinematography of the film captures Los Angeles in all its glory along with enhancing the emotional impact of the plot. So, what do you think meets the jazz thing musical work? 

The movie won seven Golden Globes along with 14 Oscar nominations in the following categories: 

1. Best picture category 

1. Cinematography 

1. Costume design 

1. Actor in a leading role 

1. Actress in a leading role 

1. Directing 

1. Music 

1. Music in the original song 

1. Film Editing 

1. Sound Editing 

1. Writing 

1. Original screenplay 

1. Sound mixing 

1. Production design 

So, How Is It Relatable? 

Apart from Lala Land, there have been only two movies to have secured 14 Oscar nominations, Titanic (1997) and All About Eve (1950). Compared to other Oscar contenders, it is not a hottie drama. Neither there are any serious issues in the plot. 

It is basically set in Los Angeles and you wouldn’t have bowls of isolation and depression, clearly it is proving itself a romantic musical. However, the plot revolves around two attractive people were trying to chase a dream. 

Yet at the core, it’s a human story that is relatable. They’re trying to make it work. Somehow, they know they can’t. Instead of calling it a romantic comedy, at times it feels like a romantic tragedy. Very like the Midsummer Night’s Dream, the performance creates nostalgia through dancing and singing but underlying it. There is a sadness that can be felt as melancholy. 

Nostalgia VS. Innovation

La La Land pays homage to the classic musicals of Hollywood’s heyday like Casablanca and Rebel Without a Cause, while injecting a contemporary twist, making it a nostalgic yet ever-so-flavorful delicacy. 

But does its blend of nostalgia and innovation make it a groundbreaking masterpiece or a skillful mimic? Can it stand alongside the genre-defining works that pushed the boundaries of musical storytelling?

Yes, a thousand times over then, as there are very few movies that truly touch the heart, bring back good old memories, and create an inspiring space inside the insufferable void of the viewer’s eye. 

The Encore Or The Curtain Call?

As the final curtain falls on the debate, the question of whether La La Land deserves the title of the greatest musical of all time remains subjective. Its visual splendor with melodic charm and modern sensibility.

The encore-worthy performance and the fleeting spotlight irrefutably leave an indelible mark on the genre. Further, it also rekindles the love for musicals in the newer generation.

Justin Hurwitz enjoys the credit of composing as well as orchestrating the score and songs for the musical series. Most of the lyrics were composed by Paul and Pasek, although John Legend wrote “Start A Fire.” One of the soundtrack albums was released in December 2016, and it featured a few Hurwit’z score selections. 

Concluding Words

Summing it up, it would be safer to say that La La Land has been ruling the hearts of its fans since 2017. It brings theatrical magic to live audiences along with a mystical music experience. The audience feels like a relation to the concept- all thanks to the maker’s thoughtfulness in the music composition. 

Much of the success that the movie enjoys is because of its musical contribution- potentially making it a big name among its audience. And it’s a wrap on this article. Thank you for reading this! Share your thoughts on this in the comment section below.

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