I didn’t go to the theaters to watch La La Land when it came out 10 years ago. I watched the pirated shakycam version of it on 123movies with russian subtitles. I am thrilled to finally have the change to witness this gorgeous movie on the big screen. Shoutout to CineLux Campbell for both Casablanca, and now this. For only 7.5 dollars too, what a deal. Please keep doing this Flashback Cinema series.
Now, onto the actual movie. I think I got so much more out of it this time around, than when I watched in back then. I was 13 and my film literacy probably wasn’t as good. I vaguely remember thinking the part between “A Lovely Night” and the City of Stars scene at the pier was boring, but girl, just it’s such a great conversation (Before Sunrise-esque) between the two of them at the Warner Bros. Lot! To think that it is boring simply because they were singing and dancing is such a 13-year-old thought. And wow, what a great movie. I cried multiple times, and for both plotpoints and things that happed to me recently. Here are just some of my general thoughts on the bittersweet tale of Mia and Sebastian, nothing specifically about the filmmaking. We could probably do another deepdive on that.
But watching it this time around, I was thinking how I’ve always thought La La Land as a tragedy. In the same “love-tragedy” box as 500 days of Summer and Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind. It is, but what’s more is that simply story about a boy and a girl supporting, loving each other while chasing their respective dreams in life. And I thought to myself while watching, it’s so lucky of them to have a partner that believes in you more than you believe in yourself. They propel you to move forward, even when, like what Seb said, when you’re being a baby about it and you are so, so close to admitting defeat. I was touched with the minor details when Seb reassures Mia all the time about her not being delusional, that she will do great, “WHEN you get the part”, and fuck those who don’t see her talent like he sees her. And that’s so nice. I remember having someone like that in my life, when I was romantically involved, and I had thoughts of self-doubt at 1am, calling them on the phone like “what if I’m just not good enough?” And when they said I am good enough and I should stop, a part of me wanted to believe them. But another part of me felt like they actually wouldn’t know if I’m good or not, they are just there because they don’t want me to be sad. It could be as simple as that. But that’s the beauty of being a fool that dreams.
But dreaming could still be expensive, and it could be at the cost of your relationship. He’s on his own journey, and you’re on your own. It’s not anyone’s fault, and La La Land gets it so right. We shouldn’t villainize Mia or Sebastian, even when we are the Mia or the Sebastian. Life isn’t a zero sum game, your win isn’t his loss. And that’s the beauty of it; they met each other at the perfect time, when they needed someone to propel them to follow their dreams, and they had each other to do it with. To hear that “good job” or “fuck em” when you needed it.
we are all on our own character arcs. maybe ure at 70% of the learning you need, and he’s at 45%. all u can do is wish them good luck and go. but to never talk to that someone who once meant so much to you, and to have known you in such a deep level, is so bizarre.