Movie Name: La La Land
Genre: Musical, Romantic, Comedy-Drama
Cast:
- Ryan Gosling as Sebastian “Seb” Wilder
- Emma Stone as Mia Dolan
- John Legend as Keith
- Rosemarie DeWitt as Laura Wilder (Sebastian’s sister)
- J.K. Simmons as Bill (Jazz Club Owner)
- Finn Wittrock as Greg (Mia’s boyfriend)
- Callie Hernandez as Tracy (Mia’s roommate)
- Sonoya Mizuno as Caitlin (Mia’s roommate)
- Jessica Rothe as Alexis (Mia’s roommate)
- Tom Everett Scott as David (Mia’s future husband)
Reasons for Casting:
- Ryan Gosling: Ryan Gosling with his charming persona and method acting, was a perfect choice for capturing the dreamy and passionate character of Sebastian. He learned to play the piano for the role and had prior experience with music (his band, Dead Man’s Bones). This experience made him an apt actor for the movie for which he was honored with The Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 2017. Gosling and Stone had already worked together in Crazy, Stupid, Love, and Gangster Squad, proving their strong on-screen chemistry.
- Emma Stone: The reasons for casting Emma Stone proved tremendously beneficial as she got an Oscar for Best Actress for the movie. Emma Stone had already showcased her singing and stage presence in Cabaret on Broadway, proving she could handle the film’s musical demands. Her ability to convey vulnerability, ambition, and heartbreak made her perfect for Mia, a struggling actress chasing her dreams. Stone’s quirky, down-to-earth appeal helped make Mia more relatable and connect with the audience. Her mix of humor and emotional depth aligned with the dreamy tone of LaLa Land, allowing her to balance lighthearted moments with deeply moving scenes of love, self-realization, and heartbreak.
Estimated Budget: The estimated budget of La La Land (2016) was $30 million.
Box Office Collection:
- Worldwide Gross: The film went on to gross over $471 million
- Domestic (U.S.): $151 million
Net Revenue:
The Net Revenue of the movie is $145 million net profit before additional revenue streams.
Profit or Loss:
Profit – La La Land was a huge financial success, earning a substantial profit beyond just box office earnings
Official Sound Track (OST) or Song Duration:
The La La Land Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was formatted and produced by Justin Hurwitz, who composed the score and collaborated with lyricists Benj Pasek & Justin Paul for the songs.
The soundtrack was released under Interscope Records and was carefully structured to follow the film’s emotional and narrative arc. Hurwitz also worked on the orchestration and arrangement to ensure a seamless blend of jazz, pop, and classical influences.
- Another Day of Sun – 3:48
- Someone in the Crowd – 4:19
- Mia & Sebastian’s Theme – 1:38
- A Lovely Night – 3:56
- Herman’s Habit – 1:51
- City of Stars (Ryan Gosling) – 1:51
- Planetarium – 4:17
- Summer Montage / Madeline – 2:04
- City of Stars (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone) – 2:29
- Start a Fire (John Legend) – 3:12
- Engagement Party – 1:27
- Audition (The Fools Who Dream) – 3:48
- Epilogue – 7:40
- The End – 0:45
- City of Stars (Humming) [Bonus Track] – 2:38
Popular Scene: The most popular scene from the movie La La Land is the song “A Lovely Night” where Mia and Sebastian dance in beautifully choreographed tap dance overlooking the Los Angeles Skyline. The cinematic beauty of the scene is what captured the audience’s eyes. The color scheme of yellow from Mia’s dress complimented the skyline in the soothing purple shade of night. The song’s scene is even the movie’s cover. The jazz beats of the song, smoothly choreographed tap dance, and their chemistry make the scene most loved. This moment is often seen as a pivotal point in Mia and Sebastian’s relationship, showcasing their deep connection and shared dreams.Â
Another iconic scene is the ending scene, where Mia arrives at the restaurant Seb’s where she listens to him play the iconic tune of ‘City of Stars.’
Review:
The movie directed by Damien Chazelle, is a movie that makes a viewer feel every feeling depicted. The movie follows the story of Mia an aspiring actress and Sebastian a jazz player. Both are passionate about their careers and the story follows how they navigate through life making it in Los Angeles. The storyline depicts how in life to accomplish a dream some things are meant to fall into place. It is not a typical Romance story with a Happy Ending but a tale that shows how destiny works.
The main magic comes from the cinematography of the movie. The film’s strength lies in its breathtaking cinematography, choreographed long takes, and a mesmerizing score by Justin Hurwitz. Songs like City of Stars and Audition (The Fools Who Dream) add emotional depth, with Stone delivering a career-defining performance that earned her an Oscar. The song resonates with dreamers all over the world. Gosling, meanwhile, impresses not only with his acting but also with his piano-playing skills, making Sebastian’s love for jazz feel authentic. What sets La La Land apart, is the balance between dream and realism. With dreamy settings and colors, the movie explores real emotions exploring the depths of the character’s feelings.
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