Fun & Famous

6 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GO SEE THE MOVIE LA LA LAND
(YES, YOU SHOULD!)

by Ilonka Leenheer

My highlight of 2016 was interviewing Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in Los Angeles for their latest film La La Land. Well, that's nice for you, you might think now. Well, you also benefit from it, because I'm here to give you a top moment in this disastrous year. By persuading you to go see La La Land, which premieres this Thursday. And here's why:

Reason 1.

La La Land is such a feel-good movie that you could actually call it feel better – and we really need that in these times. It's a musical like they used to make in the golden age of Hollywood. Yes, you read that right, a musical. And how fun it is! From the very first minute, the energy pulses through your body and for days afterwards, you'll be humming City of Stars and The Fools Who Dream (which were already heard in the first  and the second trailer). Plus, there's also some laughter (you haven't lived until you've seen Ryan perform in an eighties band).

Reason 2.

Ryan Gosling stars in it. Do you really need more reasons? After the quite violent trio of films Drive, The Place Beyond The Pines, and Only God Forgives, Ryan finally shows his most romantic side again. He plays Sebastian, a virtuoso jazz pianist trying to make ends meet in Los Angeles by playing cheesy music in restaurants. But his dream is to open an authentic jazz café. By the way, Ryan plays everything himself; he took piano lessons for several hours a day for months. And yes, all that dancing and singing is real, but the true fan knew that there was already some basic talent present. ‘Take off your shirt!’.

‘Reason 3.’

Emma Stone plays the female lead, and we could already see that Emma and Ryan have enormous chemistry in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Okay, one more time.

the best scene from that movie where Emma gives the best command in film history (‘Take off your shirt!’). In La La Land, Emma plays the unemployed actress Mia, who works in a coffee shop and goes from audition to audition hoping someone will discover her shining talent. And then she runs into Sebastian... Reason 4.

And then we have Romance with a capital R. They waltz together, they tap dance together, they sing together, they kiss together. Sigh. Can we get a small percentage of that in our own lives next year?.

Reason 5.

And all of this is presented without a shred of irony. What a breath of fresh air. It's an ode to the people who still dare to dream in this cynical world. ‘So bring on the rebels, the ripples from pebbles, the painters and poets and plays. And here’s to the fools who dream, crazy as they may seem. Here’s to the hearts that break, here’s to the mess we make.’.

Reason 6.‘

Because I say so. And not just me, but about every film critic in the world. And also the people who have already nominated the film for 7 Golden Globes, so it's going to be a cheerful award season in 2017. Alright, one more third trailer:.

And now go!

My highlight of 2016 was interviewing Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in Los Angeles for their latest film La La Land. Well, that's nice for you...