By Kriti Gupta
What are the first words that come to your mind when someone says that a movie is a musical melodrama’? Dream sequences, scenic backgrounds, plenty of emotions and of course, musical tunes colour our imagination. And why shouldn’t they?
The 1930s to the 1950s were the Golden years of musical films. The Jazz Singer in 1927 began this era and since then, romantic characters have been dancing their way to the ‘La La Land’ we all want to be a part of in 2016. We remember growing up with top Disney musicals like Tangled, Frozen, Enchanted and of course, The Princess and the Frog! Even though these movies gave us butterflies in the stomach, more serious issues began to enchant us. Soon, only subjects like child abuse, poverty, domestic violence or substance abuse seemed worthy of an Oscar. Interest in musicals waned as the audience demanded more realism in films. However, after All about Eve in the 1950s and Titanics marvellous performance in 1997, La La Land becomes a record tying musical with 14 nominations in the 89th Academy Awards despite being pitted against sharp, progressive movies like Fences and Moonlight.
A genre that can’t be the ’Best Picture’?
The romantic comedy genre hasnt really seen an Oscar in the past decade. Movies like Fences, based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play by the same name, talk about deep and stirring subjects. Moonlight, again based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, highlights the struggles of identity. The picture has been lauded for its acting, direction, screenplay and cinematography; In short every aspect that deserves the attention of a shining trophy. In contrast, decision makers often wonder how a movie that talks about a fantasy world with glitzy backgrounds would rule millions of hearts.
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling at the Golden Globes | Photo Courtesy: BBCDirector Damien Chazelle seems to have broken the ice this time with his masterpiece, La La Land. Shortly after people enjoyed watching Alvin and the Chipmunks and Sing recently, they became skeptical of this genre when La la land won seven Golden Globes.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]Being in the 21st century, movie-buffs were expecting a late night party at the club, one-night stands and happy endings.[/su_pullquote]
Chazelle introduces Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress and Seb (Ryan Gosling), a jazz pianist, when they exchange hostile glares in the opening traffic jam. A while later, Mia is enchanted by Sebs ivory-tinkling in a restaurant, but he is so upset about being fired that he barges past her and disappears onto the street. This might have baffled a section of the audience. Being in the 21st century, movie-buffs were expecting a late night party at the club, one-night stands and happy endings.
The fissures of a modern relationship
This is where ‘La la’ discovers a new ‘landing’! It depicts characters who are extremely passionate about their careers, individuals who are forced to make a choice between art and love, creativity and comfort and ultimately between reality and fantasy. The movie offers a touch of authenticity in the end, when Mia and Sebastian are seen leading on separate lives. A reminder to the audience of the cruel world we all live in.
Unlike other romantic comedies where everything is red and rosy, the title of this film is rather ironic.
It combines the dream of Los Angeles with the delusion of ‘Lost Angeles’, two characters struggling to be the artist that resides in them. They only imagine their worlds and lives together, which they could have turned into reality. The director flirts with our emotions with glimpses of this “dreamy town” and yet, not pursuing it. It tells us something about the real choices that people make in lieu of a peaceful life. Not to mention, the music, through songs like Another Day of Sun and ‘City of Stars by Justin Hurwitz, note the aspirations of the actors and yet give way to the prevailing uncertainty in their relationships.
The verdict
Apart from the major categories, La La Land has been nominated for its flowing camerawork, the ‘Pop-Art’ brightness of its costumes and production design. It is free of unnecessary drama and an overflow of emotions. It may not be surprising, then, that the odds of this iconic romantic musical winning big at the Oscars are an all-time high.
Featured image source: FANART.TV
[su_note note_color=”#d2eaf6″]Fresh insights delivered to your phone each morning. Download our Android App today![/su_note]