La La Land (2016)

My Review

It would seem that some of the charm of old Hollywood has returned to the big screen in “La La Land.” The musical romantic comedy-drama film features Ryan Gosling as a struggling jazz pianist and Emma Stone as an aspiring actress, well directed and written by Damien Chazelle (“Babylon” 2022). The film’s musical score was composed by Justin Hurwitz, who also wrote the songs with lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The amazing dance choreography was supervised by Mandy Moore.

Gosling and Stone did a fantastic job, delivering in the performance department; they both had to learn to sing and dance. In addition, Gosling took piano lessons! The pair had previously worked together in “Crazy Stupid Love” (2011) and “Gangster Squad” (2013). Co-stars include John Legend, J. K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, and Tom Everett Scott. “La La Land” was a huge hit at the box office for Summit Entertainment, Marc Platt Productions, and Lionsgate Films.

“La La Land” received fourteen Academy Award nomination, winning six – Best Director, Best Actress (Stone), Best Cinematography (Linus Sandgren), Best Original Score (Hurwitz), Best Original Song (“City of Stars” Hurwitz, Pasek, Paul), and Best Production Design. Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Actor (Gosling), Best Original Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song (“Audition” Hurwitz, Pasek, Paul), Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.

At the 89th Academy Awards ceremony at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway (“Bonnie and Clyde” 1967) caused quite a stir when they mistakenly announced that “La La Land” had won Best Picture. They had been given the wrong card, when “Moonlight” was the actual winner. It took a few minutes on live global television to clear things up.