GENRE: Musical, Drama
RATING: PG-13 for some language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 8 minutes
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 8 minutes
STARRING: Emma Stone (Crazy Stupid Love, The Help, Birdman)
Ryan Gosling (Crazy Stupid Love, Drive, Nice Guys, Half
Nelson)
DIRECTOR: Damien Chazelle (Whiplash)
WRITER: Damien Chazelle (Whiplash, 10 Cloverfield Lane)
PLOT: A jazz pianist and aspiring actress try
to live out their dreams in Los Angeles, and sing & dance while they do so.
FULL
DISCLOSURE: High odds
for upcoming Best Picture winner.
STORY
STUFF: That sure was
whimsical. As a drama person myself, I enjoy watching artists work hard to
achieve their dreams. There are some cute industry jabs as well. The musical
component was really fun at the beginning with the opening couple of numbers
but then it really centered on Stone and Gosling and seemed to have more dance
than song. I wish there were catchy ensemble numbers. I remember the central
theme music but do not remember much lyrical content. As a musical, I
unfortunately found it average.
ACTING
STUFF: Gosling and
Stone have great chemistry on screen. This is nothing new when you consider
they have done a couple of films together already. Here they get to be even
more sweet with their singing and dancing. Loved the quick JK Simmons (Whiplash) cameo.
ARTISTIC
STUFF: What a beautiful
film to watch. I loved the use of colour, light, setting and camerawork. There
is a wonderful dream sequence where the backgrounds are just a magical as the
actors in front of them. The production design is impeccable, almost Wes
Anderson worthy.
VERDICT: Three and a half stars out of five
SEE
IT IF: You miss MGM
musicals like Singing in the Rain
UPCOMING
REVIEWS: Passengers
2 comments:
Musicals are a tough sell, you love them or hate them. As someone who had enjoyed some musicals if they are not too in your face, this movie lost me with the opening mumber. I was very concerned with the damage being done with all tjose cars by strangers. I found the ending frustrating and a little sad. There was good chemestry between the characters and the potential for a feel good ending did not happen. Choice was between Star Wars and this. I wish we chose Star Wars.
I agree with your concern of car damage. That bicycle going up the windshield seemed rude. You probably should have seen Rogue One instead.
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