LA LA LAND (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

La La Land lacks originality, has a weak storyline, and seems like a cookie-cutter movie. It’s touted as a musical; but when comparing it to classic musicals from the 1950s and 1960s, it fails to deliver. Dance routines seem copy-cat (like the bench routine) and there is no heart in it. The ending scenes seem repetitive and without the power to push this movie to home base. The movie fails to reach the heart.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young girl desires to be an actress and a young boy desires to open a jazz bar.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Damien Chazelle for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Beugg, Mike Jackson, John Legend, Qiuyun Long, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill, Jasmine McGlade, Molly Smith, and Ty Stiklorius for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), Mia (Emma Stone), Famous Actress (Amiée Conn), Linda (Terry Walters), Coffee Spiller (Thom Shelton), Casting Director (Cinda Adams), Tracy (Callie Hernandez), Alexis (Jessica Rothe), Caitlin (Sonoya Mizuno), Laura (Rosemarie DeWitt), Bill (J.K. Simmons), Karen (Claudine Claudio), and Carlo (Jason Fuchs).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The musical score is fairly good, but the storyline needs serious buffing before it works. The audience may feel like walking out within the first 15 minutes.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers