It dominated the Golden Globes, and it is generating a lot of Oscar buzz. La La Land, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling and directed by Whiplash’s Damien Chazelle, has deservedly earned its attention.
Despite being released towards the end of 2016, the movie has become the talk of 2017 so far. With impeccable cinematography, seamless acting, and a relatable storyline, La La Land offers something for everyone. Yet, the thing that stands out the most but is so easily forgotten though it ties the whole movie together, must be its soundtrack.
I mean the entire soundtrack, instrumentals and all.
Composed by Justin Hurwitz, the songs are fun, motivational, and heartwarming. They have underlying meanings and convey a large amount of talent, not just through singing, but production and instrumental skill. Ryan Gosling learned the piano in three months, and John Legend the guitar, and gave an incredible performance on the soundtrack.
The opening song “Another Day of Sun” is an anthem for anyone with a dream. Sung by people stuck in an LA traffic, their voices are modest but sweet to listen to which represents the reality of our world: not everyone is amazing, but they are all good enough. The singers’ dreams aren’t explicitly stated, therefore everyone can relate to this song. It is also great for a pick-me-up.
“Someone in the Crowd”, the first song we hear Stone sing, is a foreshadowing song, introducing several musical threads to be heard later in the soundtrack, and the possibility of Mia being discovered. “Somewhere there’s a place where I find who I’m gonna be/A somewhere that’s just waiting to be found” is also a line so versatile almost anyone can fit it into their lives.
“Mia & Sebastian’s Theme”, my personal favorite, played by Gosling, is the first instrumental on the soundtrack. As the title suggests, it is the musical embodiment of the couple’s relationship. Soft, pure, sweet, passionate, angry and abrupt. It is heard throughout the movie several times, and is a piece truly made for tugging on heartstrings.
Other instrumentals such as “Summer montage/Madeline” and “Engagement Party” are a treat especially to those who truly loved the movie, allowing them to reminisce about their favorite scenes. “Herman’s Habit” is a jazz piece that shows the intensity of the genre and how each instrument can lead yet how the whole is so much greater than the sum of parts – it is genius.
“Epilogue”, the 8-minute long instrumental that combines all musical compositions into one, demonstrates Hurwitz’s hard work and how the movie ties together perfectly. It is also a great piece while reading.
Moreover, we mentioned La La Land was an homage to classics. “A Lovely Night” is the proof. Funny and charming, the song is great to sing along to especially as a duet. Also the dance sequence is very reminiscent of Top Hat’s “Isn’t This a Lovely Day“. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles love letter, “City of Stars”, is Gosling and Emma’s stand out duet.
“Planetarium”, another mind-boggling instrumental, is also shot on the set of ‘A Rebel Without a Cause’. And while the producers might not have done this intentionally, it is very similar to a sequence of a song called “Ya Khali Al Qalb” (Your Heart is Empty) from an Egyptian musical, “Abi Foq El Shagara” (My Father Atop a Tree) released in 1969. The strings and flute truly stand out in this composition, giving it its eerie and magical feeling.
Also, John Legend’s “Start a Fire” is the perfect song for those who have not been completely sold over to the jazz scene yet. It is the crossroad of traditionalism and modernism.
To me La La Land is split into two parts: “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)”, and the rest. This song is flawless from the lyrics to the singing and everything in between. Emma Stone is not going to be the next Julie Andrews, but the emotion her voice delivers in the song is exactly what was needed. Also, the song’s lyrics are the real tear-jerker of the movie. The narrative of the aunt makes it memorable and emotionally evoking. This song will this generation’s ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.
This soundtrack is truly worth the $9.99, and the Oscar it should win. It is what makes La La Land what it is, and it is what people should attribute the movie’s success to more often.
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