PicoBlog

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Throughout the summer, I have constantly been reminded of the wondrous and emotive musical experience that is the 2016 film La La Land.

An early fruitful conversation and connection I was able to share with my new flatmate, Carlina. We both love it, and have watched it several times. I mention how its become a “comfort film” of sorts.

Mia and Sebastian’s theme: central to a long and heartfelt instagram DM exchange with a close friend, which prompts a rewatch and I dive into the film once again, this time with pen and paper in hand.

Then, flashes of the film and its meaning take up more and more space in my mind; perhaps in association to the frenetic creative energy of the Fringe Festival, or the long, almost eternal golden sunsets of the Edinburgh summer.

Musicals have always had a special place in my heart. I am and will always be a theatre kid. But this hasn’t always extended to musical films or films in general: as much as I’ve tried, I don’t think I’ll ever be a film buff, La La Land just seems to be a fortuitous exception.

I always mention how I love the fact that while the film is very clearly a musical, often very shamelessly so, it is a musical film that doesn’t feel like a musical at all.

While the big broadway-like opening sets a clear intention, a lot of “musical theatre” tropes and elements, both stylistic and sonorous, are blended into the film’s quality and its narrative in ways that sometimes feel illusive. Then again, this might be coming from bias as someone to whom the often flamboyant, bold nature of musicals- especially the spontaneous slipping into song- feels almost normal and instinctive.

Yet there is something about La La Land that sets it apart from other musical films. Maybe it’s the fact that it's a 2016 film with A-list actors who aren’t known for musicals? This might’ve been more common with the soundstage musicals of the 50s, and some musical movies from the 2000s, but not as heard of at the end of the 2010s?

(again, not really one for films or film criticism so bear with me lol)

Maybe it’s the structure and pacing of the love story? The finesse and grace through which Mia and Sebastian’s love story progresses is rich and touching, with peaks and troughs that blend through to arrive at a bittersweet, but logical ending.

I can’t quite pinpoint what it is exactly, but whatever it may be, it makes La La Land attractive outside of its “musicality”.

As characters, Mia and Sebastian also connect with you on a human level. Their struggles and frustrations seem palpable, relatable even, something which I feel musical theatre doesn’t concern itself with that much.

La La Land strikes a near perfect balance between stereotype and realism.

Precision and tenderness saturate this rendition of Los Angeles, with moments feel human, moments that feel like mirrors of experiences and emotions you could’ve gone through - but they are certainly enhanced with a wondrous glimmer. The colours and vibrancy often lull us into reverie, which amongst romance and dreams, eases us into projecting ourselves onto the film and its characters.

To me, La la land has been a constant surprise. My enjoyment of the film was immediate. I distinctly remember the whole affair: going my friends Mia and Chiara, but being driven by Mia’s older cousin and his girlfriend since neither of us drove at the time. I was mesmerised by the colours and emotions of the song, and I recall being a bit more invested than my two other friends. But that may be my memory serving me incorrectly.

La La Land is able to capture beauty through sound, through visuals and even through emotions. It was tender and heartwarming in all the ways that fourteen year old me was starting to enjoy: I continue to be a bit of a sucker for angst and especially an angsty but romantic story (I am a reluctant hopeless romantic but I try to disguise myself as a realist).

Outside of the film appealing to me from a narrative and visual standpoint, I didn’t find it groundbreaking. I did indulge in the flurry of YouTube content that appeared in the film’s wake, but then again, that happened with anything remotely mainstream that caught my eye. I played the soundtrack on loop for weeks with “City of Stars” and “A Lovely Night” becoming permanent members of my music library. Once the online chatter died down, my attention moved elsewhere and only a handful of songs remained.

While mesmerised and touched by Mia and Sebastian’s story: both the love story and the story of two struggling artists, younger me wasn't really able to relate to the truest substance of the film. Now I realise this is why it did not feel “groundbreaking” to me at the time, because it had no reason to be.

Yet the alluring and perfectly orchestrated melody of Mia and Sebastian’s theme managed to dig deep and unlock emotions I didn’t understand at the time.

I have always been easily moved by music, it’s a big reason why I love it so much. This song in particular is spell-binding, complex and diverse all in one minute and thirty seconds.

Embodying a classic musical theatre trope, Mia and Sebastian’s Theme serves as a familiar melody, a central motif that runs throughout the musical. In the same way we become attached to the characters as the film progresses, we become attached to the melody. It reflects the fluctuating emotion of the story, helps set tension and pace, creating cohesion throughout the different phases of the film. I feel that themes in musicals become a character of sorts, and in La La Land this rings true.

The tune holds a melancholic longing, both for Mia and Seb’s relationship as well as their dreams. While starting mellow and mournful, it grows and unfolds, expressing complexity and depth as it grows frenzied in its final progression. Even the melody emulates so much love and so much loss in seven notes.

It sounds both simple and complex, its wistful: expressing the sorrow of what could’ve been and the struggle to realise one’s dreams.

Every time I listen, it’s as if I allow myself to reach into crevices of my soul that tend to go intact. I always feel the song deeply. Over the years I have been able to understand certain feelings a little better as I grow and mature, particularly those of love and loss.

Yet growth can feel so imperceptible. Sometimes I feel like the same person I was at 14 when I watched the film for the first time. Its weird how music can grow with us, but I guess it’s how we listen to it that changes. The ears that listen are more experienced and you hold on to each note a little differently.

I reckon my attachment to La La Land will persist, and I am eager to see how differently I experience this film as the years continue to pass.

I kindly steal this from a dear friend but Mia and Sebastian’s theme is a song that I will happily play in the background of all the “canon events of my life”.

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