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ENTERTAINMENT
Echo Wednesday, January 11, 2017
The musical numbers are fun to watch and the cinematography is good. The first scene is one long continuous shot. Jesse Schwartz, senior
‘La La Land’ dazzles, Photo used with fair use from Lionsgate Entertainment
proves ability of modern musicals
Photo used with fair use from Lionsgate Entertainment
Gosling, Stone headline vintage Hollywood masterpiece Ethan Brown ethanbrown@slpecho.com
M
Photo used with fair use from Lionsgate Entertainment
arketing a musical in the 21st century that isn’t “Hamilton” can prove to be a near impossible task. In “La La Land,” the improbable comes to life as director Damien Chazelle delivers an instant classic while reinvigorating the movie musical. The film, given a wide-release on Dec. 24, tells the story of Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) and Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling), two aspiring artists in present-day Los Angeles. The film incorporates elements of both a drama and a musical, which weave together to create a compelling narrative. The film’s acting, mainly because of Gosling and Stone, borders on nearly impeccable. Stone’s portrayal of an often rejected actress adds a layer of realism, displaying the harsh nature of life in Hollywood. Gosling’s character, a jazz pianist hoping to start his own music club, starkly contrasts with Stone for the film’s first half-hour. The undeniable on-screen chemistry between the two makes each scene easier to digest than the one before, as both actors demonstrate a clear grasp on love in a real-life scenario. Chazelle, also known for directing “Whiplash,” both directed and wrote “La La Land.” The film appears as if done by a Hollywood veteran, which testifies to the 31-year-old director’s prowess at such a young age. Chazelle creates a film worth seeing multiple times if not just to experience its
“La La Land” Golden Globe awards won Jan. 8 1. Best Motion PictureMusical or Comedy 2. Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy 3. Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy 4. Best Director - Motion Picture 5. Best Screenplay 6. Best Original Soundtrack 7. Best song Source HFPA Golden Globes
METRO AT A GLANCE
Makagbe Kuyateh makagbekuyateh@slpecho.com
Photos used with permission from Science Museum of Minnesota, Evan Gruenes, Gallop Studios and Steve Kotvis.
5/5
visual beauty, but also to see the plot’s execution, which he doesn’t sacrifice for a pleasing aesthetic. This mixture of both cinematic and creative aspects increases the film’s accessibility, something important today as Hollywood becomes flashier. Another interesting facet of “La La Land” is its vintage style. The film, shot in CinemaScope, pays homage to classic movie musicals of the ’50s, like “Singin’ In The Rain.” The extravagant dance numbers, colorful summer wardrobes and jazzy music gives the film an old-fashioned feel, one which feels ironically refreshing in today’s film industry. The film’s screenplay, written by Chazelle, shows the ability to create an old-fashioned movie musical with modern philosophies. Films involving romance often implement rather specific gender roles for the male and female lead, although this is almost completely absent in “La La Land.” Stone’s character shows a lack of emotional dependability, a refreshing scenario compared to the often sexist undertones of roles written for actresses. The film’s most poignant commentary, however, emphasizes the juxtaposition between aspiration and love. The struggle both characters face in balancing their blossoming careers and personal relationships displays the importance of “La La Land” and its realistic portrayal of romance in modern times. Both visually and dramatically abrasive, “La La Land” demonstrates the beauty of movie musicals and their full potential in modern-times. A true gem of the genre, Chazelle paints a mirror-image of real love through exceptional performances by both Gosling and Stone. The door sits open for movie musicals, done mostly by “La La Land.” Able to incorporate audiences far larger than “Les Misérables” or “Hairspray,” this film captures all there is to love about the realism of romance. It’s 2016’s best film.
Jan. 10
Jan. 19
Jan. 27-Feb. 12
Feb. 3-Feb. 5
The Science Museum of Minnesota hosts the “Sportsology” exhibit. The exhibit allows guests to study body motion to perform sports. Tickets are $3.
The Minnesota Institute of Art presents Asian Art Collections, “Spotlight on Asia.” This free event highlights Chinese, Japanese, Korean, South and Southeast Asian art galleries.
The Guthrie Theatre presents “Promise Land,” a Transatlantic Love Affair production. The piece re-imagines Hansel and Gretal’s journey of leaving home. Tickets are sold for $9.
The Loppet highlights a variety of winter activities during three days including skate racing, classic racing, fat biking, snowshoeing and more. The events will be located in Golden Valley.