It was two hours filled with overwhelming emotions and a deep afterglow.
Damien Chazelle. The new director, who has just turned 30, is writing a new history of music films with his natural talent. After his debut film Whiplash , which received critical acclaim, his second work, La La Land, once again proved his unrivaled position. In fact, before seeing the movie, the only reason 'Ryan Gosling' appeared was for the purpose of viewing. After the drive , I wanted to see more of his explosive and calming acting, so I read almost all of his filmography. Regardless of the genre, it was enough to expect a role in La La Land just by looking at her progress so far, acting as a similar yet different character every time. And, expectations were paid back with satisfaction of 200% and 300%.
As those who have already seen the film will know, La La Land is a very realistic and at the same time romantic love, dream, and music in a truly perfect harmony. In terms of genre, it may have been difficult to maintain the balance a bit because romance, musical, and drama elements are mixed together, but it was produced as a masterpiece again. Actually, this part was a work that I did not need to think about. Some musical movie lovers expressed that this movie poorly imitated the characteristics of a classic musical movie, but I agree with this part. Compared to masterpieces such as Chicago or Moulin Rouge, the development and visual splendor of a musical film may be less. However, I don't think it's necessary to limit La La Land to a musical movie. This is because the lives of the two main characters in the film and the jazz music that flows are exactly in sync with one another. Jazz music accompanies me when I am happy or when I am sad. It amplifies the feeling of happiness and, on the other hand, caresses the sadness and wounds. Jazz is 'current music' with infinite variations, and although our lives are also full of uncertainty, nevertheless, 'continue to move forward' is a present-day continuous. Life and jazz, two intangible beings with the same attributes, meet under the fateful love of two men and women in the film, presenting unpredictable joys and sorrows.
The background and directing method of the film are also very interesting.Although the main stage is a modern city, scenes that seem to pay homage to an old film, and rebellion without reason , starring James Dean, who is currently playing at the Rialto Theater in the play, sources that seem to reflect on the golden age of art and romance are appropriately placed. It makes you struggle with the sensibility of perfume that comes from the depths. On the other hand, the scene where Emma Stone goes to a party with her friends and sings a monologue song, and the scene where she tap dances under the evening sunset with Ryan Gosling, the overall color is very sophisticated and gorgeous. It was the part where the director's excellent directing ability, who placed retro and modernity in the right place, stood out. If you like period dramas, I think you will enjoy it sufficiently.
The love story in the movie was good, but the scenes that reveal the sincerity of young people's dreams and the importance of them touched me even more. An aspiring actor who dreams of becoming a great actor while working part-time at a cafe, but fails every audition. He wants to open his own club, but the reality is that he is a jazz pianist who gets fired while playing carols at a restaurant. Although they are not common professionally, their story will become 'our story' at some point. Hopes such as 'what kind of person I will become' or 'I will make it happen' sometimes inflict wounds and pain on young people. However, it is undoubtedly the most splendid period in life to never give up and move forward believing in one's own beliefs and subjectivity. It is a time when you gain strength and maturity that does not lose your true self while being caught up in a vortex of emotions such as challenge, success, failure, frustration, passion, hope, innocence, romance, love, parting, pain, and loneliness. There seems to be a good reason that 'youth' is what most socially or economically successful middle-aged people want to regain the most. It is a time when the 'humanity' is directly embodied, when each day is anxious but also exciting, frustrated but also hopeful.
I am also not that different from the main characters. The goals I thought or planned are being achieved one by one, but it is still far from reaching the ultimate ideal and dream. But, I'm not afraid. My life up to now has always been a moment of uncertainty and choice. From a young age, I wanted to become a writer or a film director, but the engineering school I chose did not fit my inclinations as it was difficult to get proper support, and I spent time wandering instead of wandering while experiencing various activities outside of school. The gap between 'what I want to do' and 'what I have to do' came like a heavy burden, and unresolved worries and worries began to turn into frustration and sighing. I didn't give up though. It's really lonely to navigate a path that most people don't go without any help. Even if I talked to someone around me, that person did not (until now) sympathize with my thoughts and ideals . So, it seems that an obsessive feeling that I have to get stronger on my own has taken hold. Fortunately, it is now more flexible. The efforts I have made so far related to writing, exercise, and entrepreneurship are returning positive feedback one by one. I think that the struggles of the main characters in the play can be seen only as a romantic romance to some. However, for me at least, their efforts, worries, sorrows, and achievements are not only used in the film, but as a clear 'reality'.
The 10 minute ending played a role in making the lack of directing felt a little in the first half disappear at a glance. In addition, it gave a long, long aftertaste that did not go away even after 3 days had passed. The scene where the main characters, who met after 5 years, looked at each other eagerly, could be understood by anyone who had ever been in love at least once. Ryan Gosling's brilliant eyes and subtle smile seemed to say, "I still love you, but it can't happen anymore. We were really happy back then, weren't we?" We were unconsciously 'Sebastian' and 'Mia' for about 1 hour and 50 minutes. It is impossible to stop the deep afterglow that comes when you can 100% empathize with any emotion. Because it wasn't a predictable happy ending, it's even more bittersweet and realistic. However,
There is no more beautiful parting than letting go of someone who was with you in the brightest time of your life after time passes .
