Romantic musicals are always a must see film for me. Just like “Singing in the Rain” “Moulin Rouge” and “Mama Mia”  these are few of my favourites.  However for Lala Land, although with excellent production, perfectly rehearsed musical scenes and colorful surroundings. Unfortunately,  it was disappointing. The film had a not so interesting plot and despite the amazing production it lacks something, it lacked magic! And it certainly does throughout the film. For a moment there, while watching the movie , I thought I was going to see a really great musical film. I waited through the end and sadly there was no wonder and awe at all. 

Mia, played by Emma Stone and Sebastian, played by Ryan Gosling were the main characters in the film and they did not have chemistry. Playing as a couple who initially met each other at the beginning scene of the film. The scene was at the LA freeway, hot and stuck in traffic. The first musical scene, that was supposed to be a choreographed chaotic dance scene, inspiring and exciting. On the contrary, it felt dull, uptight and unnatural. And at the end of the musical scene, they finally met. With Seb’s honk and Mia’s finger as they greet each other. It was supposed to be a scene showing that not all first meet ups are romantic, however even at that , the scene was flat in a way.  Afterwards Mia saw him again in a random visit to a restaurant where Seb happens to play piano as his part time job. There, the film’s theme song was played, and the song was played throughout the film as if to show that whenever they hear the song, they get reminded of each other. 

Chazelle’s direction and vision as the director did not transcend any romance or dazzling scenes in the film. The lack of grace was hard to ignore. For a great musical scene to be successful there should always be that cause to why a person would dance or sing when words cannot comprehend their emotion, such as love or sorrow. However, for this film there was no reason at all yet the musical scenes just had to be played. Therefore, there was neither magic or wonder. Not so lala, in Lala Land. 

The film is to be released in New Zealand on December 26, 2016.