By Mariah McBride
I was shocked. I did not expect Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling to star in a musical together. Both actors have no experience on Broadway and typically star in other genres of film. So it’s not a stretch to say that Stone and Gosling took a risk with this film. Nevertheless, their risk has paid off. La La Land shattered the record for most Golden Globes won by any movie. Then La La Land proceeded to make history again after receiving 14 Oscar nominations, landing a spot next to classics like the Titanic and All about Eve.
What exactly is La La Land about? It’s a romantic musical about an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and a jazz musician (Ryan Gosling) who are struggling in La La land, otherwise known as Los Angeles.
Award shows have favorited the film, but what do college students think?
Ilana Weiner, freshman in Theatre, loved the movie and thought that Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone had real chemistry.
As for their singing performances she said, “Them not being good at singing, acting, and dancing made it more personal.”
Weiner thinks that people like her, who are into arts, are probably the people who loved the movie the most because the movie shows their reality—sometimes having to choose as she puts it, “work over love.”
She recommends the movie. “It was so real. There were moments when I got lost in it. I think it has a good message on life. You will possibly choose one over the other…work or love,” said Weiner.
Jena Johnson, sophomore in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences said, “It was impressive and whimsical.” She thought the actors did a good job, especially Emma Stone.
However, Johnson did admit, “I didn’t understand the hype…I liked it. I wouldn’t pay to see it again, but I would watch it again if it came on television.”
As for why she thinks the movie has been so successful she confessed, “I don’t think there is too much out like it right now. A modern day musical is not super common.”
Johnson also added that people should see the film because it is unique and isn’t based on anything.
Both students gave La La Land 4 out of 5 stars.
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*Image Sources:
Student photos courtesy of Ilana Weiner and Jena Johnson
The Spread 