La La Land Dvd

La La Land is a 2016 American musical romantic drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. It stars Ryan Gosling as a jazz pianist and Emma Stone as an aspiring actress, who meet and fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, and J. K. Simmons also star.

Having been fond of musicals during his time as a drummer, Chazelle first conceptualized the film alongside Justin Hurwitz while attending Harvard University together. After moving to Los Angeles in 2010, Chazelle wrote the screenplay but did not find a studio willing to finance the production without changes to his design. Following the success of his 2014 film Whiplash, the project was picked up by Summit Entertainment. Filming took place in Los Angeles from August to September 2015, with the film’s score composed by Hurwitz and the dance choreography by Mandy Moore. La La Land premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2016, and was released in the United States on December 9, 2016. It grossed $446 million worldwide against a production budget of $30 million.

Plot

While stuck in Los Angeles traffic, aspiring actress Mia Dolan has a moment of road rage with Sebastian Wilder, a struggling jazz pianist. After a hard day at work, Mia’s subsequent audition goes awry when the casting director takes a call during an emotional scene. That night, Mia’s roommates take her to a lavish party in the Hollywood Hills, promising her that someone in the crowd could jump-start her career; after her car is towed, she has to walk home in disappointment.

During a gig at a restaurant, Sebastian slips into a jazz improvisation, despite warnings from the owner to only play traditional Christmas pieces. Mia overhears him playing as she passes by. Moved, she enters the restaurant to witness Sebastian being fired for his disobedience. As he storms out, Mia attempts to compliment him, but he brushes her off. Months later, Mia runs into Sebastian at a party where he plays in a 1980s pop cover band. After the gig, the two walk to their cars and lament wasting a lovely night together despite the clear chemistry between them.

Sebastian arrives at Mia’s workplace, and she shows him around the Warner Bros. backlot, where she works as a barista, while explaining her passion for acting. He takes her to a jazz club, describing his passion for jazz and his desire to open his own club. Sebastian invites Mia to a screening of Rebel Without a Cause and she accepts, forgetting a commitment with her boyfriend Greg. Bored with the latter date, she goes to the theater and finds him as the film begins. The two conclude their evening with a romantic visit to the Griffith Observatory.

After more failed auditions, Mia decides, with Sebastian’s encouragement, to write a one-woman play. Sebastian begins to perform regularly at a jazz club, and the two move in together. Sebastian’s former classmate Keith invites him to be the keyboardist in his jazz fusion band, where he will enjoy a steady income. Although dismayed by the band’s pop style, Sebastian signs on after overhearing Mia trying to convince her mother that Sebastian is working on his career. The band finds success, but Mia realizes that this is not the type of music Sebastian wants to perform.

During the band’s first tour, Mia and Sebastian have an argument. She accuses him of abandoning his dreams, while he claims that she liked him more when he was unsuccessful. Two weeks later, Sebastian misses Mia’s play due to a photo shoot he had forgotten about. The play does not go well as planned, as a few people attend, and Mia overhears dismissive comments about her performance. Unwilling to forgive Sebastian for missing the play and their previous argument, Mia ends their relationship and moves back home to Boulder City.

Sebastian receives a call from a prominent casting director who attended Mia’s play and invites her to audition for an upcoming film. Sebastian drives to Boulder City and persuades Mia to attend. During the audition, Mia is asked simply to tell a story. In response, Mia sings a story about how her aunt, a former theater actress who eventually died of alcoholism, inspired her to chase her dreams. Sebastian, confident the audition was a success, encourages Mia to devote herself to acting. The two profess that they will always love each other but part ways to follow their dreams.

Five years later, Mia is a famous actress and married to another man, David, with whom she has a daughter. One night, the couple stumble upon a jazz bar. Noticing the logo she had once designed, Mia realizes that Sebastian has opened his own club. When Sebastian notices Mia in the crowd, he begins to play their love theme on the piano. A dream sequence unfolds in which the two imagine what might have been had their relationship thrived alongside their careers. Mia shares a poignant smile with Sebastian, then leaves with her husband.

Cast

Ryan Gosling as Sebastian Wilder
Emma Stone as Mia Dolan
John Legend as Keith
J. K. Simmons as Bill
Rosemarie DeWitt as Laura Wilder
Finn Wittrock as Greg
Callie Hernandez as Tracy
Sonoya Mizuno as Caitlin
Jessica Rothe as Alexis
Tom Everett Scott as David
Josh Pence as Josh
Meagen Fay as Mia’s Mom
Damon Gupton as Harry
Jason Fuchs as Carlo
Marius de Vries as Clyde
Anna Chazelle as Sarah
Cast list adapted from Fandango.