When many people think of iconic romance movies, titles such as “10 Things I Hate About You” or one of the various Nicholas Sparks movies will come to mind. Although the film is relatively new, “La La Land” continues to be my favorite romance movie due to its eccentric and entertaining style. 

The film depicts the raw struggle of two people attempting to pursue their dreams in Los Angeles. Emma, a determined actress waiting for her ticket to stardom and success, is depicted as an average woman among a world of talent. With all of the obstacles she faces, Emma concludes that her talents are too average to attain the success she seeks. Once she meets Sebastian, that success suddenly seems attainable. 

Sebastian is a humble man who came from a humble background. He is an aspiring musician known for his advocacy of the glory and pure euphoria of jazz. The music community knows Sebastian for his relentless advocacy of the dying music genre and his determination to achieve his dreams. 

In the midst of the two working tirelessly for what seems to be an implausible dream, they cross paths and everything changes. Sebastian and Emma help lift each other up, providing them both with a sense of confidence they were in dire need of. “La La Land” doesn’t make their relationship seem perfect or a solution to all of the world’s problems. Sebastian and Emma’s companionship is not a constant source of validity, but rather a shoulder to lean on throughout hardship. This aspect of the film is what makes it stand out from the rest, for their relationship is raw and real. 

Emma and Sebastain help each other with their weaknesses while applauding their strengths. Although their powerful love was what propelled them both into a state of prosperity, that same success eventually caused the end of their relationship. There are various complexities of this relationship, yet the realist message it conveys differs from that of normal rom-coms.

“La La Land” offers its audience a painfully rational take on true love. It exposes the challenges of sharing your significant other with their passion, a struggle that is often swept under the rug in A-List movies. 

Despite this sounding like a movie to avoid, the intricacies of the production and the astonishing acting makes the journey well worth it. 

I am typically not one for musicals, but this film’s soundtrack captivated me from the first song. The music is perfectly wielded in correlation with the current mood that is being illustrated. This flawless fuse of scenes and music perpetuates the beautiful elaborateness of the production. The correlation of music and the current tone is just one of the many astounding elements of “La La Land.” 

The perfect depiction of the “old Hollywood” aesthetic allows viewers to take in scenes that match the elaborate plot. This ambiance sets the scene and allows the entire plot to flow with a swift realness. The movie rarely, if ever, feels staged due to the quintessential culmination of all of these elements. 

I would give La La Land a 9/10 stars because of its sound mixture of so many components. There are very few movies I have found to check as many boxes as this film. If you are looking for an amusing but emotional movie, “La La Land” is your answer.