This blog post delves deeply into the choices and sacrifices demanded by capitalist success, and the emotional reality of characters torn between dreams and love, as explored through the film La La Land.
The film ‘La La Land’ stirs the hearts of those who have dreamed of a future with a loved one or young people who have experienced the gap between ideals and reality. Set in Los Angeles, this work is brimming with the charm of classic musicals. As a musical film, music plays a crucial role in expressing the characters’ emotions and further emphasizing the atmosphere. The film, set against a romantic backdrop of jazz, illuminates the sorrow hidden behind the glamour, evoking a sense of regret and empathy in the audience.
First, let’s examine the work centered around its theme song. The film begins with Mia’s story before unfolding Sebastian’s. The two meet whenever the ‘Mia & Sebastian Theme’ appears. This music is used three times: when they first encounter each other, when Mia accidentally hears the song in a restaurant, and finally, when reminiscing about the past. Director Damien Chazelle crafted the entire film like a single jazz piece. He expressed the theme of love between dream chasers through the music, as variations on the two characters.
The film opens with the song ‘Another Day of Sun,’ immediately capturing the audience’s attention. On a congested highway, music streaming from each car overlaps and blends, yet expresses that each person carries different dreams and loves. The lyrics of this OST foreshadow Mia and Sebastian’s story, serving as a major plot device. ‘Someone in the Crowd’ also deserves attention. It captures Mia’s struggle as an artist trying to find her own path amidst the crowd. Early in the film, Mia repeatedly fails auditions, but after meeting Sebastian, she begins writing her own script and planning a one-woman show, continuing her challenge.
In fact, while the theme songs featured in this film possess a lighthearted atmosphere, their lyrics are imbued with sorrow. ‘City of Stars’ may sound like lyrics suggesting starlight illuminating love, but it actually questions the nature of love. The scene where Sebastian and Mia play this music together transforms into the final scene where Sebastian plays the piano and sings alone. ‘Audition’ is a pivotal song positioned at the film’s climax, composed of lyrics honoring failed artists. Mia calmly yet grandly reveals her inner artistry and passion during the audition. Ultimately, ‘La La Land’ is not merely a simple romantic film.
This work subverts the conventions of classic Hollywood musicals. Classic musical films typically conclude with the protagonists resolving their conflicts and achieving love. However, ‘La La Land’ chooses an ending where Mia and Sebastian ultimately cannot be together. I anticipated a predictable conclusion when the plot seemed to follow the traditional musical film framework. But during the scene in Griffith Park where he says, “I’ll love you forever,” I sensed the two characters would not unite. This allowed me to feel both a freshness distinct from conventional musicals and a profound sadness simultaneously.
The most memorable scene in the film is when Sebastian accidentally witnesses Mia and her husband, and he plays the piano. As the performance begins, SEB’S darkens, and the scene shifts to another future Sebastian might have envisioned with Mia. Sebastian could dream of classic jazz, and Mia could dream of acting, precisely because they were together. Yet practical problems—like steady income and the ego wounds of failure—interfered with their relationship. I believe the ultimate reason they drifted apart was that as Sebastian focused on practical concerns, Mia felt he had forgotten his dream. Nevertheless, watching Sebastian’s solo performance in the final scene, Mia swallows a deep sorrow. Mia became a successful actress, and Sebastian opened a jazz club, each achieving their dream, but their romance ultimately ended.
The film depicts the characters’ efforts to achieve professional success, yet its conclusion emphasizes the loneliness and sense of loss that come as the price. Even amidst the lively music and dancing, the underlying reality of their problems makes its presence felt. What is the true value modern people should pursue? Has playing authentic jazz and achieving love become an unrealistic choice? Are we so engulfed in capitalist success that we’ve forgotten true happiness?
