Since its debut in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s ‘La La Land’ has carved out a distinct niche in the ongoing development of the musical film. Its updated interpretation, visual style, and societal influence have been thoroughly examined by reviewers, directors, and viewers. However, what specific contributions did ‘La La Land’ make to the current musical landscape? The responses are complex, encompassing storytelling advancements, technical resurgence, and a fresh perspective on cinematic longing.
Reimagining the Traditional Structure with a Contemporary Perspective
For a considerable time, musicals have flourished through magnificent displays, dynamic dance sequences, and narratives brimming with emotion. Nevertheless, prior to the release of ‘La La Land’, the American cinematic landscape saw a decline in major, novel musical productions, with adaptations and Disney animations largely taking center stage. Chazelle’s creative concept explicitly drew inspiration from Hollywood’s Golden Era, incorporating allusions to films like ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg,’ while simultaneously anchoring the plot in the concrete challenges faced by contemporary aspirants.
By threading Mia and Sebastian’s ambitions with contemporary realities—financial instability, career uncertainty, and the tension between dreams and practicality—the film anchored timeless themes in an authentic context. The contrast between hyperreal musical numbers, such as the opening freeway sequence ‘Another Day of Sun’, and the grounded, bittersweet development of the central relationship, reinvigorated the genre without ignoring present-day sensibilities.
Filmic Artistry: Hue, Melody, and Movement
‘La La Land‘ distinguished itself through a meticulous fusion of visual and auditory artistry. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren’s use of color palettes was not mere homage but a deliberate psychological tool. Vivid hues in costumes and set design often mirrored emotional peaks or transitions, echoing the expressive capabilities of color in classic musicals while delivering a fresh impact to contemporary audiences.
Composer Justin Hurwitz’s score played a central role in shaping the film’s identity. Unlike many modern musicals that favor diegetic or pop-inspired numbers, ‘La La Land’ embraced original compositions loosely tethered to jazz. The recurring motif of jazz, both thematically and structurally, brought an improvisational spirit to the film and reminded viewers of the transformative nature of music itself. Numbers like ‘City of Stars’ achieved cultural ubiquity, crossing into mainstream radio, and earned multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The choreography, designed by Mandy Moore, eschewed hyper-polished perfection for expressive, character-driven movement. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, neither famed for musical theater backgrounds, delivered performances grounded in vulnerability and authenticity. This democratized the musical form—suggesting that heartfelt execution could outweigh technical virtuosity.
Subverting Narratives and Embracing Realism
Audiences conditioned by classical musicals might expect a conclusive, optimistic ending. ‘La La Land’ purposefully subverted this convention. The film’s final act, often referenced as ‘the epilogue,’ offered viewers both a dreamlike, alternative reality montage and the present-day outcome, where aspirations are realized at the cost of the romantic relationship. This duality resonated with a modern audience accustomed to complexity and nuance, suggesting that adult life often demands sacrifice rather than the perfect alignment of love and ambition.
Furthermore, the movie’s introspection redefined the musical category as both an homage and an examination. With Sebastian’s yearning for a bygone jazz period and Mia’s developing perception of celebrity, ‘La La Land’ scrutinized the sentimentality often idealized in musicals, subtly prompting audiences to reevaluate the consequences of holding onto history.
Audience Reception, Legacy, and the Broader Musical Revival
The global response to ‘La La Land’ underscored an appetite for musical narratives outside the superhero or franchise template. Grossing nearly $450 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, and garnering fourteen Academy Award nominations, the film demonstrated clear commercial and critical viability for original musicals in the twenty-first century. Its success notably preceded a resurgence of musical films and television, including ‘The Greatest Showman,’ ‘A Star is Born’ (2018 remake), and live television adaptations of Broadway classics.
The film also reignited public interest in jazz, Los Angeles as a character-driven setting, and the narrative trope of the artist’s journey—signaling that audiences were still eager for stylized realism and emotional catharsis.
Lasting Impact and Fresh Benchmarks for the Category
Analysis of post-‘La La Land’ musicals reveals measurable influence across both independent and studio-backed projects. Directors and composers cite its blending of visual bravura and narrative honesty as a touchstone. The film’s soundtrack, with its jazz-inflected motifs, fueled a renewed appreciation for original scores in mainstream cinema.
Perhaps the most notable impact of ‘La La Land’ lies in its affirmation of the contemporary musical’s ability to fuse tribute with novelty. It encouraged artists to venture fearlessly within the genre while respecting its established customs. By avoiding mere imitation and instead presenting an authentic depiction of aspirations realized and relinquished, the movie reminded both audiences and filmmakers that musicals serve not only as vehicles for fantasy but also for genuine human narratives—intricate, flawed, and reflective of current experiences. This paradigm persists, encouraging each successive generation to redefine the potential and reach of the musical form.
