La La Land: A Movie I Avoided Until I Couldn't Anymore ✨
There are some movies you feel like you've seen without ever actually watching them. La La Land was one of those for me. It was introduced endlessly—on TV, on YouTube, through countless reviews and clips. By the time I had the chance to watch it, I felt like I already knew it too well to be curious. And honestly, there was a bit of stubbornness too—I didn’t want to do what everyone was doing at the time.
But one day, with nothing pressing to do and Netflix just a click away, I finally gave in. The play button was right there ▶️. And the reasons to give this film a chance were many:
The lead actress is Emma Stone.
The music is good 🎶.
The colors are beautiful 🎨.
I like dancing 💃.
A TITLE FULL OF MEANING
According to Namuwiki, the title La La Land refers to a dreamlike state, a land of fantasies. It also carries a subtle criticism—“living in La La Land” can imply being out of touch with reality. Add to that its phonetic similarity to L.A. 🌴, the heart of the entertainment industry, and the title becomes a brilliant metaphor for the story it tells.
STAR POWER
Ryan Gosling plays Sebastian, the jazz pianist. I wasn’t especially interested in him as an actor, but I looked him up and realized he starred in The Notebook (2004) 💌. His past relationships with co-stars like Sandra Bullock and Rachel McAdams also pop up in the search results—Hollywood always makes sure personal and professional lives intertwine in the public eye.
Emma Stone, who plays Mia, left an impression on me in The Amazing Spider-Man 🕷️, and like Gosling, she too dated her co-star in real life. Her distinct facial features—large eyes, expressive face—sometimes give off an anime-like vibe. Maybe that’s part of why she fit so well in Cruella too.
(Side note: If you want to date an actress, maybe becoming an actor really is the fastest route.)
AN AESTHETIC STATEMENT
The movie's poster seems to say, “I am a great film” 🎬, and it lives up to the promise. The opening sequence, filmed on a blocked-off LA freeway, is a joyful burst of music and color. It loudly announces: yes, this is a musical.
But curiously, that grandeur doesn’t continue consistently. Unlike Mamma Mia, where song and dance are constant companions, La La Land is more restrained. Maybe it’s the difference between a jukebox musical filled with ABBA hits and an original score. Or maybe La La Land just chooses its moments more carefully.
THE SCENE EVERYONE REMEMBERS
The hilltop dance scene. The streetlight. The sunset. It’s probably the most iconic moment in the film. Interestingly, the location itself isn’t especially impressive in real life. But with the addition of just one streetlight, director Damien Chazelle transformed it into something magical ✨. That’s the power of vision—and cinema.
A NOT-SO-TYPICAL ENDING
I expected a happy ending. Two dreamers pursuing their goals, falling in love—it felt like it was heading there. But the ending is... different. It's not tragic, but it’s not quite what I hoped for either. Maybe it's happy in its own way—both characters achieving their dreams. But for the audience? It might leave a bittersweet taste.
FINAL THOUGHTS
La La Land surprised me. It was more understated than I expected, more grounded, more real. It’s a musical, yes, but also a reflection on love, dreams, and the cost of ambition. And while I initially avoided it, I’m glad I finally pressed play. Some things are worth experiencing for yourself, no matter how often they’ve been talked about.