La La Land, the movie directed by Damien Chazelle, that premiered in 2016, was thoroughly analyzed by critics. One of the big questions that was asked about La La Land was, why make this movie now? Why in 2016? Another question that was asked was if this movie is even a traditional musical. I believe La La Land was made to highlight Hollywood’s past. Specifically, the musical era. I also believe that this musical does follow the patterns of those musicals that are being honored. Damien Chazelle might be hinting at the good old days when referencing to movies such as Singin’ in the Rain, American in Paris and Sweet Charity. This movie follows the classic musical pattern of having two opposing characters, Mia and Sebastian, that are easily juxtaposed
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La La Land pays homage to “Old Hollywood” when films were vibrant and creative and new. This movie highlights many of the well-known and loved musicals of the 50’s and 60’s. Some scenes seem to come directly from one movie the other. For example, when mia’s friends and housemates finally convince her to go to the party. The shot of the women dancing down the street in their colorful dresses looks just like a scene from Sweet Charity, a musical made in 1969. The most striking example of this admiration and inclusion of these older musicals is the large scene at the end of La La Land. This amazing “what if” scene has many shots that flashback to the big musical era. One movie that is alluded to often is not one of the musical genre. The movie Rebel Without a Cause is implemented within the movie multiple times. At first with Ryan Gosling’s character quoting it. Then we see the two characters go to the movie itself. We then witness a scene from the Rebel Without a Cause which then transitions the characters to the LA Planetarium. Although this movie wasn’t a musical, it was a well loved movie from a similar time frame of the other movies referenced to in La La Land. Another example of this homage to old Hollywood musicals …show more content…
The audience sees Mia in her prius, running lines and Seb is seen with his vintage car and his jazz playing in the stereo. These characters represent the old and the new. Mia is the upcoming actress who wants to be big. Although she looks to the past for inspiration, she looks forward to bring new ideas to the world. Mia is inspired by her aunt who was also an actress who introduced her to the world of Hollywood. Mia refers to many great renowned films in the movie such as Casablanca but looks forward to the new possibilities in Hollywood. She is working towards her dream constantly in this film. And let’s not forget that she “hates jazz”. Sebastian is also looking to the past for inspiration but does not seem to look at all to the future for new ideas. Unlike Mia, he does not seem to be working forward. He does not have a steady job and he is obsessed with the “Samba Tapas” space that he wanted for his jazz club. Even his wardrobe is in the past. He wears suits and shirts from the 50’s. All of these choices were purposely made by Damien Chazelle and his crew. They consciously followed the “Dual Focus” narrative. A key part of this formula is the resolution that is found through song and dance. Upon their second meeting at the pool party, they both pretend they feel nothing in the song “A Lovely Night”. This song allows them to relate and have fun while
La La Land pays homage to “Old Hollywood” when films were vibrant and creative and new. This movie highlights many of the well-known and loved musicals of the 50’s and 60’s. Some scenes seem to come directly from one movie the other. For example, when mia’s friends and housemates finally convince her to go to the party. The shot of the women dancing down the street in their colorful dresses looks just like a scene from Sweet Charity, a musical made in 1969. The most striking example of this admiration and inclusion of these older musicals is the large scene at the end of La La Land. This amazing “what if” scene has many shots that flashback to the big musical era. One movie that is alluded to often is not one of the musical genre. The movie Rebel Without a Cause is implemented within the movie multiple times. At first with Ryan Gosling’s character quoting it. Then we see the two characters go to the movie itself. We then witness a scene from the Rebel Without a Cause which then transitions the characters to the LA Planetarium. Although this movie wasn’t a musical, it was a well loved movie from a similar time frame of the other movies referenced to in La La Land. Another example of this homage to old Hollywood musicals …show more content…
The audience sees Mia in her prius, running lines and Seb is seen with his vintage car and his jazz playing in the stereo. These characters represent the old and the new. Mia is the upcoming actress who wants to be big. Although she looks to the past for inspiration, she looks forward to bring new ideas to the world. Mia is inspired by her aunt who was also an actress who introduced her to the world of Hollywood. Mia refers to many great renowned films in the movie such as Casablanca but looks forward to the new possibilities in Hollywood. She is working towards her dream constantly in this film. And let’s not forget that she “hates jazz”. Sebastian is also looking to the past for inspiration but does not seem to look at all to the future for new ideas. Unlike Mia, he does not seem to be working forward. He does not have a steady job and he is obsessed with the “Samba Tapas” space that he wanted for his jazz club. Even his wardrobe is in the past. He wears suits and shirts from the 50’s. All of these choices were purposely made by Damien Chazelle and his crew. They consciously followed the “Dual Focus” narrative. A key part of this formula is the resolution that is found through song and dance. Upon their second meeting at the pool party, they both pretend they feel nothing in the song “A Lovely Night”. This song allows them to relate and have fun while