Movie: La La Land

La La Land:  a 21^st century Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers flick.  When was the last time you saw a good old fashioned Hollywood musical?  If you’ve been jonesing for a big screen romantic music & dance fete, this is your film.  In fact, even if you are not a big fan of those Gene Kelly/Fred Astaire films,  I think you’ll enjoy this movie written and directed by Damien Chazelle.  The spontaneous dance numbers that pop up throughout the film are well integrated into the romantic tale of Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling) and Mia Dolan (Emma Stone), who have a refreshing on-screen chemistry.  La La Land opens with a dance number out of the 1930’s and the movie takes place almost entirely in – of course – L.A.   Mia works at a coffee shop located on a movie studio lot and has been auditioning for various roles.  Sebastian is a piano player who wants to open a traditional jazz club.  After a few chance meetings, Mia and Sebastian connect at a Hollywood party, which leads to a beautiful dance number at the Griffith Park Observatory.  The film unfolds in unexpected ways.  The musical score by Justin Hurwitz should earn him an Oscar nomination.  The jazz is first rate.  Also, there’s an excellent number by and performed by John Legend a little more than halfway through this 127 minute film.  J. K. Simmons has two brief appearances; he doesn’t dance.  Gosling and Stone do dance and their scenes carry this delightful movie.   Gosling and Stone have paired up twice before in Crazy Stupid Love and Gangster Squad.  This film is totally different.  I don’t remember seeing a big time musical that has delighted me as much as La La Land.  The only comparable films I’ve seen have been relegated to the Turner Classic Movies venue.