Don't listen to the negative reviews

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I am a HUGE musical fan. I've been involved with musical theatre for the past twelve years and I always enjoy watching new musicals. For all of the praise this movie got, I thought it was going to be a showstopper to stand the test of time. I had listened to the first song and loved it, so I thought I'd give it a try. Suffice to say this movie is VERY disappointing and VERY overrated. Before I get through with this review, I'll give some positives. The cinematography was awesome, the jazz in the show is fantastic and the first song is hype as hell.Now let's get into this. The premise involves two struggling artists trying to find themselves in LA. They find each other, start a relationship, which is ultimately ended abruptly before the two go on their separate ways. The movie tries to play out as a romance, but that's sorely missing seeing as both Stone and Gosling's characters abandon their obvious feelings for each other for their careers, which in a sense is an ironic yet realistic representation of Hollywood. The story is nothing special and the plot advances almost nowhere before making a huge timeskip out of nowhere at the end of the movie. If you want a long romance movie featuring Ryan Gosling, you're better off with "The Notebook."Despite being a musical, this show has a surprising lack of songs that are memorable. The ONLY song I like is the opening "Another Day of Sun", which, despite being awesome is extremely misleading. The tone of the movie is vastly different from the fun and cheery opening, taking a more depressing route and not really veering from it. There really isn't a variety of songs either. And while I like the lead actors, specifically Stone, who I LOVED in The Help, neither of them could carry a tune or dance to save their life. Now, actors don't necessarily have to have a musical past to be good singers or dancers. For example, Renee Zellweiger had almost no experience in musical theatre but KILLED IT in "Chicago". Natalie Wood wasn't a good singer, but the directors had the sense to have someone sing over her in "West Side Story". Neither actor in this movie had particularly any talent in singing or dancing and it showed.As a romance musical, "La La Land" was devoid of any meaningful romance or memorable music. Movie musicals like "West Side Story", "Grease" and even to an extent "Hairspray" drive the romance and musical aspect home without losing any charm; something "La La Land" was not able to do. If you're looking for a better movie musical that didn't start on Broadway, "The Greatest Showman" is loads better. The music and choreography are both fantastic and memorable. It's loud, colorful and vivacious without being distracting.In short, "La La Land" is about two moody hopefuls in Hollywood who get into a shallow relationship that shatters after one fight, ultimately abandoning each other for their careers. In the age of social media, neither character bother to contact the other about their success.All in all, after watching the movie, I feel both disappointed and robbed of my time. What I thought was going to be a showstopping, upbeat modern recreation of shows like "42nd Street" and "Singin' in the Rain" turned out to be a depressing and hollow movie not worth your time or money. Don't let the bright colors or jazzy beats fool you. This was simply a pandering to Hollywood and the elitists who live there.You'd be better off watching any other movie musical. It's just simply not worth the hype.

Wonderful music, direction, cinematography and so on this film is endlessly watchable and equally as brilliant each time. Fantastically structured with great performances aside from all criticism of the 'singing and dancing' there's so much going for this release. The fantastical dream sequence alternate ending is heartbreaking and beautiful it's main theme is extremely touching and warm and the leads are great! What's not to like?

What is the point of having a what-if film? I mean there could be a million what-ifs. What is they didn't release this film? What is she is lactose intolerant? What is he is not into jazz, but likes rap and hip hop (i.e. hates music)? Who cares? It seems like the Oscars latches on to rubbish movies and then hypes it up because there is a lack of actually good movies. Look at this or Birdman or The Shape Of Water. My goodness.

Honestly, I think High School Musical is more enjoyable than this. Emma Stone is hot af, as always. Everything else is cliche after cliche, also their fight makes no sense. And why can't Ryan Gosling just have a smooth and happy relationship in movies.