Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone give terrific performances in Whiplash director Damien Chazelle’s beguiling musical romance, La La Land.
The setting is contemporary Hollywood, the tone light and airy, the story simple, but lent immense verve by the style of Chazelle’s direction and the chemistry and sheer charisma supplied by Stone and Gosling, who radiate charm, sincerity and emotional vulnerability as they open up to each other.
They play wannabe movie star Mia and pianist Seb, both hobbled by frustrated ambition when they meet and fall in love. But success – when it finally arrives – comes at a personal cost.
Rejecting cynicism in favour of sweet-natured, open-hearted romance and full of smartly choreographed musical numbers performed with heartfelt grace by its stars, Chazelle’s musical is being hailed a masterpiece – a contemporary Singin’ in the Rain – and a hot tip for awards season.
