Lala Land (2016) Life is a continuation of joy and festivals
The winters in LA are not as mild as we often think of. No, it was over mild and even recorded 28 degrees in the movie, so it is quite muggy. Like this hot weather, the congestion situation on LA 105, the first scene of <Lara Land>, only seems frustrating. On this stuffy road, drivers are comforting boredom with their own rhythm to their own music in their cars.
And, soon one piece of music overwrites all other music. A woman sings her first love story with a cheerful keyboard sound. This woman soon sings the story of her leaving after a dream with a loved one, and then a man who dreams of music sings the story of a man who only believed in a dream and left for LA. Individual stories and songs scattered gradually are gradually reconstructed into one story and song.
The opening sequence, which is colorfully decorated with performances, songs, and dances that continues for about 4 minutes with the beginning of the movie, is not just an opening sequence that announces the beginning of a musical movie, but a scene that contains all the things the movie <La La Land> wants to show.
The textual interpretation of this symbolic opening, which is a little over four minutes, contains the stories of love and dreams, breakups and failures, hopes that bloom in them, and people who meet tomorrow anyway. It is also the direction in which the main actor will go.
In terms of visual analysis, this scene in which all races of various races dance in the same rhythm with the same song, including colorful colors (vehicles and clothes), respects the individuality of everyone and tells each individual's story as everyone's story without being violent. This is part of the director's ambition to generalize.
In addition, the background of Los Angeles, who almost always keeps warm and sunny days regardless of season, further strengthens the theme of warmth and hope in this film. Anyway. The opening sequence is dominated by a message of hope that the sun rises and a bright day will come after night.
The colorfully decorated opening sequence is not just an opening sequence that announces the beginning of a musical movie, but a scene that contains everything the movie <La La Land> wants to show.
“I have to try to know if it’s how or not.”
“Even if not everyone, even if your wallet is full of air, all I need is music.”
It seems there is no way to stop it, and the opening sequence of this unprepared, crappy people constantly singing and dancing is particularly beautiful because they do not give up hope while talking about the love and dreams of dreamers, and breakups and frustrations. This is because it gradually expands the subject to the stories of all common people. The director is well aware of the fact that, using Mia's words, "People are attracted to other people's passions, because they remind them of what they have forgotten," and he uses this wisely. It is not easy to see the opening full of enthusiasm and joy without any inspiration.
The movie <Lara Land> begins with a splendid sequence containing the direction of the work being placed in the first 4 minutes after the movie started. As soon as the opening sequence is over, the film finds the usual tempo and catches the main character on the camera. The main role is not the characters who led the opening. The camera skillfully captures Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who were never shown at the opening. Because of this change of camera, as if it is the beginning of a declaration of war, there is no choice but to immerse yourself in the movie again scaringly that the splendid opening ends.
1. Winter, the season of patience when warmth has settled.
I thought that winter in <Lara Land> is not like winter. In some ways, it may be the winter of <La La Land>. <Lara Land> brightly and warmly captures the sadness and frustration of a biting winter cold. Normal winter is depicted as a time of cold and bitter patience, while the winter in LA in <Lara Land> is depicted as a time of patience and a season of warm sunlight. Barista Mia (Emma Stone), a coffee shop with an actor's dream, goes to audition, but the results are not good. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) cannot play his favorite jazz and plays jingle bells for others in a cafe. And Sebastian meets Mia while being fired. This is the second meeting after the first meeting on Road 105. Mia listens to Sebastian's performance deeply and greets them first, but Sebastian rudely pushes Mia without a reply.
I thought that winter in <Lara Land> is not like winter. In some ways, it may be the winter of <La La Land>.
Mia and Sebastian spend a time of patience in their respective seats. And neither the first meeting nor the second meeting between the two are unfortunate. However, the film maintains a cheerful and warm atmosphere overall. It's like, what about all those things.
2. Spring, the season of beginning
At the party, Mia discovers Sebastian, who attended as the guest singer. When Sebastian's group finishes playing, Mia orders the requested song “I ran”. It is the latest pop music that is quite sophisticated. However, Sebastian doesn't seem to like this selection very much. The song begins and the keyboard sound mixed with mechanical sounds resounds. Mia sings along with the song as if they were weak, and Sebastian makes an unpleasant expression while playing. For Sebastian, who has a longing for and aspiration for pure jazz, playing music mixed with the latest trends in mechanical sound is not a small amount of pride.
And late at night after the party. Mia calls Sebastian to get away from an uninterested man. The two travel quite a long way to where they parked their car. This is the season when the scenes of the movie La La Land, perhaps the most symbolic, appear. Sebastian said that Mia and herself had no chance of going well, and Mia also said that she had no interest in Sebastian, but the short walk under the dreamy night sky that night seems to have left quite a deep lingering for both. Mia goes to work with light steps, recalling the dance of last night. And Sebastian comes. Mia looks at Sebastian, hides and smiles, then greets Sebastian.
Mia and Sebastian show their passion by meeting each other at this time and exchanging stories about their dreams. And, as the movie says, "People with enthusiasm attract other people" is applied here, and meetings that start from small interests turn into confirming each other's passion, which in turn becomes deeply immersed in each other. Discard it. But Mia already had a boyfriend, and Sebastian just sings alone.
Mia again falls off the audition and has dinner with her boyfriend. Although she participated in the dinner table, Mia feels lonely as secular stories come and go, and she remembers Sebastian, a man with passion like herself. Mia leaves for an appointment with Sebastian. The two people, who had been in an ambiguous relationship, get closer on this day. The two immerse themselves in each other's universe and develop into a deep relationship.
3. Summer, hot season
Mia and Sebastian have been traveling here and there from the beginning of summer. It is the time when the peak of passionate love is achieved. After going from place to place, I arrived at a jazz cafe. Sebastian plays an unexpected performance. Both Mia and Sebastian look happy. When Sebastian hits the keyboard, Mia dances. And the surprise appearance of John Legend (the role of Keith). Keith recommends Sebastian to work well-paid, but Sebastian refuses. Sebastian is stubborn during this period. He doesn't seem to have any intention to change the name of the music and club he pursues, and at the same time, he looks optimistically at Emma's future.
Both Mia and Sebastian look happy. When Sebastian hits the keyboard, Mia dances.
3-1. A rough reality
However, the reality is not easy. In the middle of the night, the two talk about an optimistic future, but in the morning when the darkness has cleared, scars of reality are revealed. As Sebastian listens to Mia's conversation with her mother, on the other hand, she stares silently at the corner of the damp ceiling. The illusion of the night, the optimism of youth, collapses so easily, Sebastian visits Keith and signs a contract.
3-2. Mixed luck
Mia prepares a one-person play proposed by Sebastian. He quits his job as a barista and works hard to prepare a play, but the theater closes before Mia's play is even uploaded. Mia still has bad luck, but Sebastian has luck. Sebastian became famous with Keith and received a good pay, but the time with Mia was reduced. Although the weight of reality has decreased a lot, the relationship between the two is getting farther apart. Mia, who came to see the performance of Sebastian's team'Messengers', is pushed by other audiences and disappears from Sebastian's view.
4. Fall, too early fall to prepare for winter.
Mia with a different atmosphere is caught in the video. Sebastian awaits as Mia enters the house alone on a dark night. I have to leave for the tour at dawn, but I took a moment to find Mia. Sebastian also makes his own efforts, but for Mia, it is hard to fill Sebastian's vacancy. The two sit face to face at one table and spend a late evening together. At this time, Mia asks Sebastian if he is happy. Sebastian is stable, but he is doing something far from his dreams. Without answering Mia's question, Sebastian asks.
Sebastian is also making his own efforts, but for Mia, Sebastian's vacancy is hard to fill.
M: “You always curse Keith. But I've been together for several years, so it's a little...”
S: “What are you doing now? What are you doing? I thought you wanted something like this. But it means it's not right now.”
M: “What are you talking about, did I want you to?”
S: “You wanted to do this.
M: “Do you work in the band?”
S: "I want any band to go in and do a fixed job, so... you know..."
M: “Of course it was. I wanted to do a fixed job, take care of myself, and do a club.”
S: “That's why you're doing it.”
M: “Why don't you do the club?”
S: “You said no one would come. He said the club name wasn't good.”
M: “Then change your name!”
S: “No one likes jazz. Even you.”
M: “I got better thanks to you!”
S: “I thought I wanted something like this. Then what, should I hit the jingle bell again?”
M: “No, I mean, I'm going to play a club with the money I've earned. People will come because I have a great passion for jazz. People are attracted to the passions of others because they remind them of what they have forgotten.”
S: “It's not my experience. Anyway, it's time for me to grow up too. Some things are fixed, and this is me now. If it was such an idea, I would say it earlier. Before I sign the damn contract.”
Sebastian's remarks continued. Mia leaves the house because she cannot hear it. Sebastian is belatedly staring at the place where Mia left. If you look at the film in a short way, Sebastian looks bad, but the conflict that Sebastian suffers is a dilemma that many men who continue poor love go through. Men have a desire to show their abilities to their loved ones, a desire to be recognized, and even think that if they are not capable, their loved ones may someday get tired and leave themselves.
The male animal is simple and complex. In fact, there are not many cases like Sebastian. The reality is that we do not pay attention to each individual's romance. At some point, we make a moderate compromise with reality, but that doesn't mean that the compromise will just be criticized. It's the same reason. The reality is that they are not interested in individuals and are cold, and pursuing a dream is something you have to take a lot of risk.
4-1. Sebastian, a dream that has become far from compromise with reality
However, Mia in <Lara Land> was not a realistic person, so she loved Sebastian's optimism and unrealistic stubbornness and passion. Sebastian didn't know that part of Mia, and he woke up too early from his dream. Waking up from a dream itself does not matter. Anyone lives and dreams a dream that doesn't seem like words, but at some point, the possibility of realizing that dream is checked. From then on, each person behaves differently. After trying enough, I give up without regret, just blame others and give up, or just give up without regret.
People wake up from their dreams in many ways, but the problem is to give up with a regret left in the heart. The most important thing is your own happiness. If there are no regrets left, you can give up enough. No matter how dazzling achievements we accumulate, we are airborne anyway, and all tangible achievements achieved in our lives are meaningless after death. It is enough if you can just say that you have done enough to do it the moment you close your eyes.
In the case of Sebastian in <Lara Land>, looking at the conversation he has with Mia, it can be seen that he still has regrets without giving up his dream in one heart. Nietzsche told me not to act for others, he said, because if things don't work, you will blame others. That's the case for Sebastian. At first his motive was obviously for Mia and himself, but at some point he no longer begins to pursue his dreams and avoid taking risks. Mia catches Sebastian at this time and returns him to his original path, lost in direction. If Mia hadn't brought Sebastian back to his original path, it would be clear that, if not right now, Sebastian would spend his whole life blaming others and regretting it some time later.
Mia leaves Sebastian like that, giving Sebastian a chance to think about her dream again. On the other hand, Mia is left alone again. Mia's play is shown at the end of twists and turns, but the reaction is not very good. Sebastian arrives late, but Mia's heart was already exhausted. Mia returns to her hometown after organizing her feelings for acting and even for Sebastian. And the familiar sound of the horn in front of Mia's house late at night.
4-2. Mia, a dream frustrated by failure
Sebastian pulls his classic car late at night to visit Mia's hometown. Bringing news of a new audition. But this time, Mia lost confidence. The bad reviews heard from the backstage on the day of the screening of the last play and the decreasing number of audiences took away the little hope and confidence Mia had. This time, Sebastian catches Mia. The misfortunes and failures that have been repeated so far have instilled distrust of her talents in Mia, and Sebastian disappears after saying he will come back tomorrow in a craze.
M: I've watched the audition many times, but someone in the middle comes in, I cry, but I laugh in front, and the girls who came to the audition are in the same situation, but they are prettier, and I have more skills... I guess I'm not talented.
S: Yes.
M: No.
S: Yes.
M: No.
M: Why, there are people who have dreams that can't be achieved with the will to do it. I guess I am one of them. He did it. My dreams change as I grow older. I came this far without knowing that it wasn't my way. I'm going to go back to school now and find out what my path is. I quit school and worked for 6 years... I hate it anymore.
S: Why do you not want to do it?
M: I don't want to be hard anymore.
S: Don't be childish. I'll pick you up at 8am tomorrow. Come out or not, do whatever you want.
Sebastian, who had turned away from his dreams, only avoided the correct answer to Mia's push. As such, he loses courage and puts Mia, who is trying to give up his dreams, to his place, even though he is now pushing him back. In the case of Sebastian, he couldn't turn away from the realistic parts, so he tried to give up his dream in a sense of compromise to some extent.
The important thing is that neither of them have sincerely given up. I'm just turning away. And a neglected dream someday crosses the realm of fantasy and appears in the realm of reality, destroying the real life. Both of them are frustrated and turn away from their dreams once, but Mia reminds Sebastian of the dreams and Sebastian to Mia the dreams that they have turned away from. In this way, the reason why each other could be courageous to each other would be because the two people have similar passion for dreams and sincerely for each other. The two are alike in many ways. Because of their resemblance, they fell into each other even more, but paradoxically, they were two people who could not be together because they were so similar.
5. Winter again, and 5 years later
The weather in LA is still warm in the winter season. The sky is blue and the sunlight is gentle. And familiar places are put on film. Just five years ago, it's Warner Bros. Studio, where a woman gets off a luxury car. You can only see her back, but you can easily see who she is and those who have followed La La Land's breath.
Mia is now a famous actor. Married successfully, and I have a pretty child. Although the opponent is not Sebastian, Mia shows her dreams and lives with a peaceful family, and the camera immediately shows Sebastian's appearance when curious about Sebastian's regards. Sebastian plays the piano in a dark store that contrasts with Mia's gorgeous day. Seeing the sales story, it looks like you've opened the club you wanted.
In LA, the sun is short in winter. After a short day, a long night came. Even on the same night, two people's nights are different. Sebastian walks alone and alone in the dark and Mia walks with her husband. Mia accidentally reached the basement club. The sign that Mia made for Sebastian one day is shining there. The past fate comes back in life unexpectedly and by chance. The club headed by my husband is crowded with people. And there is Sebastian. Sebastian introduces the members on the stage with joy and makes eye contact with Mia.
“Welcome to Sheb.”
6. An ending that is not like'Lara Land' in <Lara Land>.
Sebastian sits directly at the piano and starts playing. And with the music that follows, a new play begins. This play is entirely about Sebastian's regret. This play is Sebastian's La La Land: The Land of Dreams. Sebastian pushes Mia from her first meeting in this world and corrects her mistakes from that point in time. Keith's offer is rejected like a knife and more time is spent with Mia. Sebastian shares the long and long time of patience that Mia had to endure alone, and protects Mia from the very side. The series of happy and dreamy moments with Mia pass by like a panorama, but there is no'Seps' there.
The series of happy and dreamy moments with Mia pass by like a panorama, but there is no'Seps' there.
<Lara Land> contains bright and dreamy stories like the meaning of the name in many parts, but does not forget realistic stories. Two young men and women full of passion for dreams endlessly fall into each other's deep charms, but that is why the two cannot be connected. In any way, no matter how reassembled the story, there is no Mia or Sheps next to Sebastian. So, is this story a tragedy? Not like that.
There is no tragic atmosphere anywhere in the smiles and greetings that the two shared at the end of the movie. Whether it's love or a dream, there are limits to what humans can achieve. So, if you did your best, there would be nothing to be disappointed. However, it may be a little resentful that our limitations are. What can I do though? As Sebastian said in the story, isn't it a way to live without regrets by just living as it flows, but doing your best when the opportunity comes? Even if you fail, if you live every moment with the hope that tomorrow will come again bright days, the endless joys and festivals in <La La Land> will not be just the story of a movie.