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I just went to see "La La Land." I admit I'm not a fan of musicals, but I'd heard it was so great that I was willing to give it a try. After all, there are a few I do like.
But it was worse than I ever dreamed. Tepid, bland, shallow, dull. It seems like most musicals are basically romances, but usually there is something - an intriguing story, an unusual setting, some unforgettable characters, a villain to propel the plot. This had nothing. No interesting characters. No touching relationship. No memorable dialogue (or lyrics). Even the cinematography was less than mediocre. (There's an opening number where all the faces are in shadow.) The only thing that enabled me to sit through it was Ryan Gosling, whom I really like. But this is one of the worst movie I've seen this year.
Not only rave reviews from critics but from audiences as well.
I think its our Christmas day choice. We traditionally see a movies Christmas evening, in our area its pretty popular to do. The theaters will be hopping.
There is no "right and wrong" about what entertains each of us and my wife and I have dubbed ourselves "easily entertained". I will weigh in after we see it.
I really enjoyed it a lot. I'd give it ★★★★1/2 out of ★★★★★. I really liked both of the characters as well and the music too. Emma Stone was especially good, and I think this may get her an Oscar.
Also:
Spoiler
I really liked that this didn't have the typical happy ending with everything wrapped up neat. I thought this ending was much more realistic given the relationship of the two main characters.
We saw it Christmas night and both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it even though musicals are not our favorite genre.
While we sort of wished for a more upbeat ending I have to say it was a better movie the way it was. Who would even remember "Love Story" if Ali MacGraw recovered at the end?
I expected most people would like it, but ask yourselves this:
Does it have a marvelous, distinct, memorable character, like Yul Brynner in The King and I? No.
Does it have a riveting plot, like Sweeney Todd? No.
Does it have dazzlingly funny or clever lyrics, like Company or Candide? No.
Does it have marvelously memorable tunes, like "I could have danced all night" or "Somewhere over the rainbow" or "Send in the clowns" or "People"? No.
Does it feature an unusual or exotic locale, like The King and I or South Pacific? No.
Does it have an enjoyable evocation of an era, like Gigi? No.
Does it touch on any worthwhile issues, like South Pacific? No.
Does it have anything that's really at stake, like Camelot? No.
Does it have anything genuinely moving, like West Side Story? No.
Does it have really sophisticated dancing, like an Astaire film? No.
Does it have any real show-stoppers scenes like all the ones in classic musicals? No.
I liked La La Land well enough, and it was well done, but I didn't think it was the perfect movie or the perfect musical. My only hope is that it doesn't sweep all of the awards just on the fact that Hollywood types love to reward movies that are about how great Hollywood is.
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