I really miss Bollywood films. I miss them. I miss the musicals filled with vibrant colors, elaborately draped sets, myriad dancers enrobed in dappled pinks and yellows and protagonists embracing on moonlit hilltops. Disheartened, I reluctantly went to see La La Land after boycotting the cinema in mild depression, and boy was I in for a surprise.
La La Land was brilliant, to say the least. It’s not your conventional Hollywood love story. La La Land is the epitome of perfection, and it gloriously filled the void of a pitiful Bollywood-less existence in my soul. It felt like I was plunged into an overly dramatic Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie for the most of it. It was an eclectic mix of song, dance and most importantly, it was a film with a heart.
Here’s why you have to watch La La Land immediately to cure your Bollywood-fever:
1. The music is just perfect
Justin Hurtwitz has composed what is definitely the best album of 2016. It’s been on a nonstop loop on my phone ever since I made the trip to the cinema. Who knew jazz could sound so good.
![](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/la-la-land-ryan-gosling-emma-stone.jpg)
2. The aesthetics
Everything about the film seeps warmth, especially the visuals bound by the candy land cinematography.
![](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/la-la-land-emma-stone-ryan-gosling.jpg)
3. The dance numbers are flawless
The dance sequences are rather remarkable. Tap dancing to jazz and Old Hollywood waltzes take your breath away.
![](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/3063128-poster-p-1-emma-stone-melts-our-hearts.jpg)
4. Emma Stone
Emma Stone is a delight. She’s transformed from the girl next door into a beautiful starlet, and an Oscar worthy actress.
![la-la-land-emma-stone](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/la-la-land-emma-stone-1353x900.jpg)
5. Ryan Gosling
After cult films like Blue Valentine and Drive, you’ll see Ryan Gosling in a completely new light in La La Land. Watch it for him.
![Ryan-Gosling-La-La-Land](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Ryan-Gosling-La-La-Land.jpg)
6. Their chemistry
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling mold extraordinarily well together. They have an incredibly heavy presence on screen.
![](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/lalaland.jpg)
7. The sets
Imagine Ram Leela, with soft purples, tangy yellows and hot pinks in modern downtown L.A.
![](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/la-la-land-movie-trailer-image-still-9.png)
8. The direction
Think Midnight in Paris meets The Grand Budapest Hotel. Damien Chazelle proves his versatility after Whiplash with this wonder.
![](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/06LALALAND2-superJumbo.jpg)
9. There is this awesomely raw realness
It’s more than a love story between two ordinary people who have dreams; it’s about how they try and have it all – love, a career and happiness. It’s the imperfections in life that often stem from trying to become masters of our own fate, and that’s what La La Land touches upon. Like I said, it’s not your conventional love story.
![](https://www.mangobaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/lalaland-emma-stone-ryan-gosling.jpg)
10. And most importantly, watch it for the story line
Here’s the trailer for those who’d like a little snippet of what to expect:
Basically, this movie is for anyone and everyone who loves movies. Are you one of them?