Yess, there's also a moment in that scene where the camera cuts to the record player to draw attention to the silence and the fact that the music has stopped playing and I think that was just perfect, this scene is amazing for sure.
I love this movie, seen it three times already, but I have one big flaw with it. **SPOILERS** When they broke up near the end, was anyone else not really convinced? Mia had to move away to France for only 8 months. If her and Seb really were in love, would 8 months really be much? Especially with the technology we have for communication today... I know times have changed, but I cannot help but to remember my grandmother (who lived in Hungary amidst WWII) waited years after the war not knowing if my grandfather was even alive. One day, he comes home. Turns out he was trapped in a POW camp. They hadn't even married yet, either. If you have thoughts on this, I'd love to hear them!
I think, personally, that it was a solid storywriting choice. If they stayed together, the movie would lose its powerful ending. But that's something else. About the communication; Mia is probably working 9/10 hours a day for a full 8 months. That's the filmmaking life! In that time, she probably spends it with Cast and Crew, so the chance you'll fall in love with someone would be greater (fun fact; being around someone a lot will really help the 'love' between you and him/her). If you'd have contact, at the beginning of shooting it's a lot! They'd miss eachother and skype/whatsapp/ect whenever she has free time. This is what I assume you are referring The 'reason' why they won't/didn't communicate that much is explained earlier in the movie. Whilst Seb is on tour, Mia tries to contact him. As she's making a voicemail for Seb, she mentions she "Again couldn't reach him" (not her exact words). But that implies she didn't have as much contact as she wanted to. This is also something you see in their 'fight' at the dinner table. And again, I'd assume that would be the same while she is in Paris. On top of that, Mia and Seb talk to each other earlier in the movie about "running into each other". "Do you think it means something?" "Probably not". This could also be a hint at the fact that they don't truly fit each other. They don't contact each other as much, and the real love disappears. She finds someone else, and there you have the ending! And your story is beautiful! That's about *real* love! PS: This is all my opinion and a lot of speculation!
In my opinion it says they weren't really in love, just infatuated. Or in love with the idea of being in love. Even when you do grow as a person and realize that love is something bigger than you thought it was, you never really get over your first love.
I think it wasn't just about the 8 months, but about the fact Mia followed her dream and became a movie star and Seb (at least for some time probably) continued performing, making it difficult for them to keep contact, and at some point drifting apart. So maybe it didn't happen during those 8 months but later, as a consequences of both of them sticking to their life decisions.
Love this video and the movie, we may go see it a fourth time! i agree and i love that the scene ends with sebastian literally walking away from the relationship and the table. thank you for this, what a great topic and movie!
It's such a minute detail that you just pointed but as soon as I noticed it the scene became so much more impactful! I also like how you don't explicitly say it but through the editing let the viewer deduce your reasoning on their own! Made me feel smart for a moment haha
There's a scene, previously in the movie, where Seb and Mia sing together "City of Stars" at Mia's apartment. It also has green-yellow contrast. What do you think about use of green color in that scene?
Yeah I did see that, I believe it could be for the sake of continuity or possibly to foreshadow this scene. Its possible that i'm completely wrong and that green was chosen explicitly for the aesthetic nature of Mia's Apartment I don't know, this is just my take from the scene. Cheers for the comment!
Really good video! But one thing I have to point out is that you said it was the first shaky cam shot in the film but, I'm afraid it's not. There was one shaky shot when Mia gets out on one of her 'bad' auditions...Really good Analysis!
wow. I love these analyses as seen from a movie maker's eye! there are so many ways that a director can frame the scene so as to convey the emotion. now that you mentioned it, I did have some foreboding feelings when I watched the scene. I was glad, just like Mia, to see that Sebastian had come home and taken the time to surprise her with dinner. yet the darkness did not look romantic; and as you pointed out, the green background felt subdued; it seemed to echo the negative feelings that had come to the fore. I was annoyed at Mia here for being incredibly selfish. she was able to quit her job and focus on her play, mostly because Sebastian quit his dream and he was earning for both of them. most women would have been proud. she would have understood when he explained instead of hammering him on he head with it. couldn't she see he had given up his dream so she could have hers? if he had to be on the road for a while, so what? she could have taken the long view. with the money he was making, he could open his own jazz club, which he did. but as you pointed out, they were envious of each other. and that's something people seldom admit to. they'll say things like, you're compromising your music, this isn't good for you, when the truth is, it's pure green eyed envy. great analysis!
I just love your video ! I had the same analysis about it in general and I also found that this scene really stood out and was well made... Thank you :)
Red and green are only opposite on a printed page. Optically, e.g. as when projected on the screen, they are not in opposition. Moreover, there are many more cultural meanings associated with green than are admitted here.
Great video Sir! just a small detail. In that scene is the second time a Shaky cam is use. the first one comes after Mia ends her audition for the role in the casting of what she calls "Dangerous Minds meets the OC".
I am interested in comparing LA LA LAND and Scorsese's NEW YORK, NEW YORK. In some sort ways I find LA LA LAND to have a similar theme although NEW YORK, NEW YORK is a darker picture and I think Liza Minnelli was miscast. Both films ended nontraditionally. Both films portrayed realistic stories with realistic feelings, responses, and situations both positive and negative, juxtaposed with elements of American musicals, creating a tension in the viewer between what they expected and what they got. "Hey, this is a musical. Why is happening?"
I really like the cinematography of this movie but storyline almost bored me to death. I felt like I'm watching two unlikeable characters pushing each other into love that never really comes to life and at the end there something like "great hope that failed miserably". The thing is I did not felt that hope an entire movie. It was like a starting wreck that did not fly away.
My biggest problem with this movie is the bland inaccurate portrayal of auditioning in LA. Why is it that every casting director she seems to meet throughout the 6 years and hundreds of auditions she went to are all assholes/disrespectful rude casting directors, except for one director who just happens to be there at her one woman show? I am sorry, but that is unrealistic continuity. No way can hundreds of auditions through the 6 years can she NOT find a single nice casting director. The fact that the movie portrays 99% of casting directors throughout 6 years as pretentious and rude is unrealistic and false.
Unfortunately I don't find neither Ryan Gosling nor Emma Stone attractive. So unless it has a great, deep story (which I'm sure it does not) I don't think it has anything for me.
wow. I love these analyses as seen from a movie maker's eye! there are so many ways that a director can frame the scene so as to convey the emotion. now that you mentioned it, I did have some foreboding feelings when I watched the scene. I was glad, just like Mia, to see that Sebastian had come home and taken the time to surprise her with dinner. yet the darkness did not look romantic; and as you pointed out, the green background felt subdued; it seemed to echo the negative feelings that had come to the fore. I was annoyed at Mia here for being incredibly selfish. she was able to quit her job and focus on her play, mostly because Sebastian quit his dream and he was earning for both of them. most women would have been proud. she would have understood when he explained instead of hammering him on he head with it. couldn't she see he had given up his dream so she could have hers? if he had to be on the road for a while, so what? she could have taken the long view. with the money he was making, he could open his own jazz club, which he did. but as you pointed out, they were envious of each other. and that's something people seldom admit to. they'll say things like, you're compromising your music, this isn't good for you, when the truth is, it's pure green eyed envy. great analysis!
Yess, there's also a moment in that scene where the camera cuts to the record player to draw attention to the silence and the fact that the music has stopped playing and I think that was just perfect, this scene is amazing for sure.
I'm in love with this film
I love this movie, seen it three times already, but I have one big flaw with it.
**SPOILERS**
When they broke up near the end, was anyone else not really convinced? Mia had to move away to France for only 8 months. If her and Seb really were in love, would 8 months really be much? Especially with the technology we have for communication today...
I know times have changed, but I cannot help but to remember my grandmother (who lived in Hungary amidst WWII) waited years after the war not knowing if my grandfather was even alive. One day, he comes home. Turns out he was trapped in a POW camp. They hadn't even married yet, either.
If you have thoughts on this, I'd love to hear them!
I think, personally, that it was a solid storywriting choice. If they stayed together, the movie would lose its powerful ending. But that's something else.
About the communication; Mia is probably working 9/10 hours a day for a full 8 months. That's the filmmaking life! In that time, she probably spends it with Cast and Crew, so the chance you'll fall in love with someone would be greater (fun fact; being around someone a lot will really help the 'love' between you and him/her). If you'd have contact, at the beginning of shooting it's a lot! They'd miss eachother and skype/whatsapp/ect whenever she has free time. This is what I assume you are referring
The 'reason' why they won't/didn't communicate that much is explained earlier in the movie. Whilst Seb is on tour, Mia tries to contact him. As she's making a voicemail for Seb, she mentions she "Again couldn't reach him" (not her exact words). But that implies she didn't have as much contact as she wanted to. This is also something you see in their 'fight' at the dinner table.
And again, I'd assume that would be the same while she is in Paris. On top of that, Mia and Seb talk to each other earlier in the movie about "running into each other". "Do you think it means something?" "Probably not". This could also be a hint at the fact that they don't truly fit each other.
They don't contact each other as much, and the real love disappears. She finds someone else, and there you have the ending!
And your story is beautiful! That's about *real* love!
PS: This is all my opinion and a lot of speculation!
John W. King u
i agree!! they shouldnt have broken up, thats not even reality, in reality two people in love fight to stay together!!!
In my opinion it says they weren't really in love, just infatuated. Or in love with the idea of being in love. Even when you do grow as a person and realize that love is something bigger than you thought it was, you never really get over your first love.
I think it wasn't just about the 8 months, but about the fact Mia followed her dream and became a movie star and Seb (at least for some time probably) continued performing, making it difficult for them to keep contact, and at some point drifting apart. So maybe it didn't happen during those 8 months but later, as a consequences of both of them sticking to their life decisions.
I thought all the time that the curtain was (besides of the fitting colour) a reference to Vertigo
I also thought of Vertigo when watching this video.
Love this video and the movie, we may go see it a fourth time! i agree and i love that the scene ends with sebastian literally walking away from the relationship and the table. thank you for this, what a great topic and movie!
Cheers Buddy!
It's such a minute detail that you just pointed but as soon as I noticed it the scene became so much more impactful! I also like how you don't explicitly say it but through the editing let the viewer deduce your reasoning on their own! Made me feel smart for a moment haha
La La Land is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece
La La Land is a work of art in my opinon. An absolute gem of a movie.
once they start fighting the frame changes from portraying both of the characters in one frame to showing them alone
There's a scene, previously in the movie, where Seb and Mia sing together "City of Stars" at Mia's apartment. It also has green-yellow contrast. What do you think about use of green color in that scene?
Yeah I did see that, I believe it could be for the sake of continuity or possibly to foreshadow this scene. Its possible that i'm completely wrong and that green was chosen explicitly for the aesthetic nature of Mia's Apartment I don't know, this is just my take from the scene. Cheers for the comment!
Or it could just be part of the green-orange color palette that the director likes. See Whiplash
Really good video! But one thing I have to point out is that you said it was the first shaky cam shot in the film but, I'm afraid it's not. There was one shaky shot when Mia gets out on one of her 'bad' auditions...Really good Analysis!
wow. I love these analyses as seen from a movie maker's eye! there are so many ways that a director can frame the scene so as to convey the emotion.
now that you mentioned it, I did have some foreboding feelings when I watched the scene. I was glad, just like Mia, to see that Sebastian had come home and taken the time to surprise her with dinner. yet the darkness did not look romantic; and as you pointed out, the green background felt subdued; it seemed to echo the negative feelings that had come to the fore.
I was annoyed at Mia here for being incredibly selfish. she was able to quit her job and focus on her play, mostly because Sebastian quit his dream and he was earning for both of them. most women would have been proud. she would have understood when he explained instead of hammering him on he head with it. couldn't she see he had given up his dream so she could have hers? if he had to be on the road for a while, so what? she could have taken the long view. with the money he was making, he could open his own jazz club, which he did.
but as you pointed out, they were envious of each other. and that's something people seldom admit to. they'll say things like, you're compromising your music, this isn't good for you, when the truth is, it's pure green eyed envy.
great analysis!
The real best movie
I just love your video ! I had the same analysis about it in general and I also found that this scene really stood out and was well made... Thank you :)
This is a great video. I came from Indy Mogul. You explained concepts really well so you got a subscriber from me.
I thought the green was just a homage to Hitchcock's Vertigo.
Red and green are only opposite on a printed page. Optically, e.g. as when projected on the screen, they are not in opposition.
Moreover, there are many more cultural meanings associated with green than are admitted here.
damien chazelle broke down this scene in a recent Interview. you should check it out.
I will check it out! Thanks for letting me know!
ew.com/movies/2017/02/24/la-la-land-screenplay-breakdown/
ew.com
Thank u so much Mr. Hayes for sharing your viewpoints about the musical movie..Liked it👍
Great video Sir! just a small detail. In that scene is the second time a Shaky cam is use. the first one comes after Mia ends her audition for the role in the casting of what she calls "Dangerous Minds meets the OC".
I am interested in comparing LA LA LAND and Scorsese's NEW YORK, NEW YORK. In some sort ways I find LA LA LAND to have a similar theme although NEW YORK, NEW YORK is a darker picture and I think Liza Minnelli was miscast. Both films ended nontraditionally. Both films portrayed realistic stories with realistic feelings, responses, and situations both positive and negative, juxtaposed with elements of American musicals, creating a tension in the viewer between what they expected and what they got. "Hey, this is a musical. Why is happening?"
I really like the cinematography of this movie but storyline almost bored me to death. I felt like I'm watching two unlikeable characters pushing each other into love that never really comes to life and at the end there something like "great hope that failed miserably". The thing is I did not felt that hope an entire movie. It was like a starting wreck that did not fly away.
Great analysis!
Best scene in the film!
I love your video!
But it is not the first handheld-shot.
There is a handheld-shot after Mia's failed audition.
Great video!
great review yes a great film james......
It's not shaky cam, it's just handheld
+Jammez I think the term shaky cam is used for any shot where a method of stabilisation hasn't been used, to give effect to the scene.
FilmInTheMaking
Shaky cam is when the cameraman shakes the camera.
+Jammez The camera looks pretty shaky to me
Jammez no it's Shaky cam because throughout the movie Chazelle was using a steady cam when holding the camera but purposely not here
i would love them to stay together:((((
ThereIsTimeOneTakesNormallyToreachTheNotebookLevel(IAM going nonetheless)
My biggest problem with this movie is the bland inaccurate portrayal of auditioning in LA. Why is it that every casting director she seems to meet throughout the 6 years and hundreds of auditions she went to are all assholes/disrespectful rude casting directors, except for one director who just happens to be there at her one woman show? I am sorry, but that is unrealistic continuity. No way can hundreds of auditions through the 6 years can she NOT find a single nice casting director. The fact that the movie portrays 99% of casting directors throughout 6 years as pretentious and rude is unrealistic and false.
UnbelievabIeMontages who gives a shit
UnbelievabIeMontages I'm in an acting class and I go through almost similar experiences.
Emma Stone herself said that she had gone through the exact same thing.
Unfortunately I don't find neither Ryan Gosling nor Emma Stone attractive. So unless it has a great, deep story (which I'm sure it does not) I don't think it has anything for me.
wow. I love these analyses as seen from a movie maker's eye! there are so many ways that a director can frame the scene so as to convey the emotion.
now that you mentioned it, I did have some foreboding feelings when I watched the scene. I was glad, just like Mia, to see that Sebastian had come home and taken the time to surprise her with dinner. yet the darkness did not look romantic; and as you pointed out, the green background felt subdued; it seemed to echo the negative feelings that had come to the fore.
I was annoyed at Mia here for being incredibly selfish. she was able to quit her job and focus on her play, mostly because Sebastian quit his dream and he was earning for both of them. most women would have been proud. she would have understood when he explained instead of hammering him on he head with it. couldn't she see he had given up his dream so she could have hers? if he had to be on the road for a while, so what? she could have taken the long view. with the money he was making, he could open his own jazz club, which he did.
but as you pointed out, they were envious of each other. and that's something people seldom admit to. they'll say things like, you're compromising your music, this isn't good for you, when the truth is, it's pure green eyed envy.
great analysis!