-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
La La Land |OT| Not quite Mia tempo
- Thread starter shira
- Start date
- Status
greatestjediever
Member
I'm not sure if I can necessarily agree that it wasn't a happy ending, maybe just not the happy ending the movie leads you into wanting - hence the bittersweetness. Ultimately,
they both get to attain their dreams, dreams that likely would have never come to fruition had they stayed together. While they share a longing look at what might fancifully have been, they end up sharing a smile that they both ultimately got what they wanted independently. I originally thought he was more regretful than her, but after a second watch, you can see him smiling as he goes back to playing jazz with his band just as film closes.
I really love many of the tracks. I originally wasn't a huge fan of Another Day of Sun, but it's grown on me. The first song that really grabbed me was Someone in the Crowd, especially when it hits booming drum segment at 1:27, and is great when the theme is toned down in Engagement. A Lovely Night is always wonderful, as is City of Stars Duet, and, of course, Mia & Sebastian's Theme.
StoppedInTracks
Member
Another Day of Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLWCdJUvWkk
Just an incredible opening track that hits you MOST after the movie finishes and you relisten to it or see any random trailer. I am now listening to it daily on my way to work, in the office, on my way to home and in the home in the evening.
Sebastian and Mia Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGENlQRoNC8
A tearjerker that fits more as a funeral song, yet it is a lovers theme!
I don't think you can say with any authority that it's not a happy ending even if it ends on a more dour note. Her fantasy is what life could have been, but I don't think it's fantasy out of the disappointment of reality. It's a fleeting fantasy in a fleeting fantasy.
Mike Works
Member
Falling in love != catalyst to their relationship.
Again, there are dozens of people in this thread who didn't care for this movie, which is perfectly cool, but the sloppier one is with vocalizing their critique, the more their stance is hurt.
There doesn't really seem to be any reason to not believe this wasn't a love at first sight story. When she recreates their relationship in her head that's the moment they fall in love, obviously it's the critical moment for her. Even if the love is only burgeoning at that moment, that moment and song is the driving force between a lot of key moments.
So my point still stands in a rephrased way: she falls in love with the boy because she falls in love with the song.
Saaaame. I wonder how often this happens.
Mia & Seb's theme>Another Day of Sun>City of Stars (such a good bridge)>Someone in the Crowd>Start A Fire>A Lovely Night>Audition
La La Land is a wonder. After a brilliant mainstream debut in Whiplash, Damien Chazelle has matured impressively. He directs with a precision of a orchestra conductor. His films feel like the jazz that they represent, spontaneous, energetic and pleasant. The way he stages the musical numbers never fail to make you smile, and he brilliantly constructs the film to drop out the singing again and again, just making you feel the beautiful music.
Stone and Gosling are both marvelous as Mia and Sebastian. Tapping into their charisma and marrying them with their sublimely realistic characters, they sell us on this story and make us root for them both, despite how impossible that may be at points. The rest of the cast does their part as well as an ensemble can do in a musical, and Chazelle wisely gives these side actors time to shine at a few instances during it, while not drawing attention away from our two leads.
The music is consistently delightful. The score by Justin Hurwitz and songs by Pasek and Paul mirror each other in a way film musicals rarely do, being fully aware there is a time and place for both of them. The dancing continuously impresses, and at multiple sequences will audience members want to break out in applause.
Perhaps La La Land's greatest achievement is how it transcends being a throwback. Yes, it feels like an old musical, but yet it also feels thoroughly modern, while not at the cost of its sincerity. Everything in it feels real, and that's painful at points. Yet, it's all so lovely because of this authenticity, not in spite of it. La La Land is one of the most joyous times you'll ever spend inside a movie theater. It's also a crowning achievement for Chazelle, Stone, Gosling, Hurwitz, Pasek, Paul and everyone else involved in the making of it. A modern masterpiece.
Stone and Gosling are both marvelous as Mia and Sebastian. Tapping into their charisma and marrying them with their sublimely realistic characters, they sell us on this story and make us root for them both, despite how impossible that may be at points. The rest of the cast does their part as well as an ensemble can do in a musical, and Chazelle wisely gives these side actors time to shine at a few instances during it, while not drawing attention away from our two leads.
The music is consistently delightful. The score by Justin Hurwitz and songs by Pasek and Paul mirror each other in a way film musicals rarely do, being fully aware there is a time and place for both of them. The dancing continuously impresses, and at multiple sequences will audience members want to break out in applause.
Perhaps La La Land's greatest achievement is how it transcends being a throwback. Yes, it feels like an old musical, but yet it also feels thoroughly modern, while not at the cost of its sincerity. Everything in it feels real, and that's painful at points. Yet, it's all so lovely because of this authenticity, not in spite of it. La La Land is one of the most joyous times you'll ever spend inside a movie theater. It's also a crowning achievement for Chazelle, Stone, Gosling, Hurwitz, Pasek, Paul and everyone else involved in the making of it. A modern masterpiece.
Auron_Kale
Member
Favorite vocal song is a tie between City of Stars (duet) and A Lovely Night. I also love Audition as well.
Favorite vocal songs to sing along to are Another Day of Sun -> Someone In the Crowd (I almost feel like this is one song split into two).
Favorite instrumental song is Planetarium with Mia & Sebastian's Theme as a close second.
UberTag
Member
Just finished my 2nd screening of La La Land... and my first in almost 4 months.
It's interesting that the elements I loved the first time (cinematography, set design, soundtrack, surprising comedic elements) hold up tremendously while the elements that infuriated me the first time remain grating.
The purported romantic chemistry for one. Outside of brief conversations where they crack insults at one another and Seb lauds the greatness of traditional jazz, the entire courting process is almost entirely driven by exceptionally choreographed dance numbers.
Outside of these I'd have trouble believing that Mia cares for Sebastian at all... or anyone else for that matter. I'd forgotten how self-absorbed she is. It's downright poetic that her first solo number has her singing to herself in front of the mirror.
I actually respect Chazelle for keeping this character trait consistent throughout the entire film. Even the ending (which I admire) has Mia completely tune out her husband and retrofit a different kid into her created fantasy of life with Seb. As if attaining her dream of being a snooty celebrity who gets offered free coffee before being whisked away on a golf cart is no longer enough for her.
Now Sebastian... he clearly cares for her. We see this when he escorts Mia up the hill from the party they reunite at when his car is parked just outside. We see this as he hesitates to sign on with The Messengers knowing that it will necessitate taking himself away from Mia to tour in places like Boise. We see this as he chases her down in Nevada to get her to commit to one last audition. And we see this as he gives her up so she can go to Paris to realize her dream.
While this movie is predominantly about dream chasing ("here's to the dreamers") and not a love story, I fully believe Seb would have realized his dream whether he met Mia or not. She just gave him a kick in the ass for motivation. And he had to get over his ego as a jazz purist/traditionalist.
Don't get me wrong... Emma Stone still delivers the best performance in this movie and it's most assuredly award-worthy for her performance, the songs and just about every technical category.
But I left my second viewing in much the same way I left my first... admiring the film and what it accomplished but not liking it due in large part to Mia's character, the entire one-dimensional supporting cast which was nothing more than window dressing (a problem also shared by Whiplash) and the wholly unnecessary recycling of the same schedule conflict plot device to force the plot along. That was just lazy.
It's interesting that the elements I loved the first time (cinematography, set design, soundtrack, surprising comedic elements) hold up tremendously while the elements that infuriated me the first time remain grating.
The purported romantic chemistry for one. Outside of brief conversations where they crack insults at one another and Seb lauds the greatness of traditional jazz, the entire courting process is almost entirely driven by exceptionally choreographed dance numbers.
Outside of these I'd have trouble believing that Mia cares for Sebastian at all... or anyone else for that matter. I'd forgotten how self-absorbed she is. It's downright poetic that her first solo number has her singing to herself in front of the mirror.
I actually respect Chazelle for keeping this character trait consistent throughout the entire film. Even the ending (which I admire) has Mia completely tune out her husband and retrofit a different kid into her created fantasy of life with Seb. As if attaining her dream of being a snooty celebrity who gets offered free coffee before being whisked away on a golf cart is no longer enough for her.
Now Sebastian... he clearly cares for her. We see this when he escorts Mia up the hill from the party they reunite at when his car is parked just outside. We see this as he hesitates to sign on with The Messengers knowing that it will necessitate taking himself away from Mia to tour in places like Boise. We see this as he chases her down in Nevada to get her to commit to one last audition. And we see this as he gives her up so she can go to Paris to realize her dream.
While this movie is predominantly about dream chasing ("here's to the dreamers") and not a love story, I fully believe Seb would have realized his dream whether he met Mia or not. She just gave him a kick in the ass for motivation. And he had to get over his ego as a jazz purist/traditionalist.
Don't get me wrong... Emma Stone still delivers the best performance in this movie and it's most assuredly award-worthy for her performance, the songs and just about every technical category.
But I left my second viewing in much the same way I left my first... admiring the film and what it accomplished but not liking it due in large part to Mia's character, the entire one-dimensional supporting cast which was nothing more than window dressing (a problem also shared by Whiplash) and the wholly unnecessary recycling of the same schedule conflict plot device to force the plot along. That was just lazy.
Pretty much. Also No way is Moonlight going to be #1 here because GAF had a hard on for Arrival and Moon light being super limited.
UberTag
Member
The smart money is on Arrival. It has to be the front-runner here in much the same way La La Land is the front-runner for the Oscars.
It's hampered somewhat by having a female lead - but that sure didn't keep Gravity from winning three years ago and that should be offset by this forum's hard-on for everything Villeneuve. It also doesn't hurt that it's one of the most intelligent films to come out of Hollywood in a number of years - an estimation that only gets elevated the more times one watches it.
That said, Moonlight will be topping my own list. I presently have Arrival in 7th.
jack_package_200
Banned
I would like to see Moonlight but I haven't been able to get a screening in my city. Same with Fences and Hidden Figures... I am sensing a pattern 
I would like to see them.
Anyway, I really dug La La Land. I prefer Arrival and The Nice Guys over it but I still love almost everything about La La Land.
Edit: As of writing, I saw Fences did come to town. Hooray for that
I would like to see them.
Anyway, I really dug La La Land. I prefer Arrival and The Nice Guys over it but I still love almost everything about La La Land.
Edit: As of writing, I saw Fences did come to town. Hooray for that
shira
Member
Ehhhhh I was the OP/OT for Arrival too and my vibe is that it's just way too cerebral of a movie for general audiences to enjoy. I've never had so many questions after a movie.
damn arrival doesn't even come out on DVD/Blu Ray till Feb 14.
UberTag
Member
shira
Member
Why? I thought Slaughter-House Five is beloved.
JetBlackPanda
Member
Just got out of this with the wife. I dunno guys it's probably one of my favorite movies in years. Wow it's really good.
Discotheque
Banned
Fantastic film. A big improvement over whiplash as well I think. Gosling and Emma aren't the greatest of singers to choose for a musical but their overall performances are so good that it's not hard to overlook their serviceable voices. Emma Stone in particular endues such a strong level of emotion in that "Audition" song with her facial expressions that I wouldn't want to see anyone else in that role.
Ryan Gosling has gotta be the most effortlessly charming actor of 2016, he carries on his Nice Guys performance but tones down the aloofness and leans more towards the quick wit and suaveness. Great casting for the two leads, chemistry was fuego.
Cinematography was beautiful and vibrant, lovely music as well. I had different expectations and hopes for how the film would play out but that's on me, I wouldn't classify it as the film's problem since Chazelle wrote a dope script carrying out his vision regardless. I just thought as the movie progressed that I was going to get an Inside Llewyn Davis-esque movie about
also I have a few quibbles about the relationship and where it ends up but eh it's miniscule, maybe i'll get into it later or something.
Not my favorite movie of the year but I won't be salty at all if it wins Best Picture like I have been the last couple of years. would stand with the top-tier of BP winners for me.
Now I wanna watch a bunch of Nicolas Ray, Gene Kelly, Demy etc. haha. loved how they recreate that Rebel Without a Cause shot going to the observatory. i was kinda surprised at the low energy of the dance numbers though. the opening was exuberant but when gosling/stone get involved later the dance numbers are so small and understated. Hail Caesar's scene with Channing Tatum seemed like a better homage to those types of scenes imo.
Ryan Gosling has gotta be the most effortlessly charming actor of 2016, he carries on his Nice Guys performance but tones down the aloofness and leans more towards the quick wit and suaveness. Great casting for the two leads, chemistry was fuego.
Cinematography was beautiful and vibrant, lovely music as well. I had different expectations and hopes for how the film would play out but that's on me, I wouldn't classify it as the film's problem since Chazelle wrote a dope script carrying out his vision regardless. I just thought as the movie progressed that I was going to get an Inside Llewyn Davis-esque movie about
just not being destined for it. despite whatever your talent and drive is that not everyone makes it or gets what they truly want. I thought the final scenes after her audition would have her being married to that business kid giving up on hollywood and gosling meandering and dealing with being in his jazz band. But this ending is more of a bittersweet romanticized kind
also I have a few quibbles about the relationship and where it ends up but eh it's miniscule, maybe i'll get into it later or something.
Not my favorite movie of the year but I won't be salty at all if it wins Best Picture like I have been the last couple of years. would stand with the top-tier of BP winners for me.
Now I wanna watch a bunch of Nicolas Ray, Gene Kelly, Demy etc. haha. loved how they recreate that Rebel Without a Cause shot going to the observatory. i was kinda surprised at the low energy of the dance numbers though. the opening was exuberant but when gosling/stone get involved later the dance numbers are so small and understated. Hail Caesar's scene with Channing Tatum seemed like a better homage to those types of scenes imo.
JetBlackPanda
Member
I love the audition song.
StoppedInTracks
Member
Arrival? Come on man. It was a pretty standard movie for me and I *adore* sci-fi flicks and smart sci-fi flicks especially.
I forgot about Arrival one week after viewing it.
shira
Member
When you forget about a movie isn't a very good metric
JediMasterMatt
Member
My 2 cents...
Its conflict and compromise Sebastian Wilder referring to what makes jazz special
La La Land is a transcendently wonderful film that delights the eyes and ears and fills your heart with a warmth and joy that has been missing in film for such a long time. I didnt know how much I needed this movie until the first frames of it unfolded. It immediately captures your eye with the bold use of color to establish tone and mood. Your ears are captivated by the soundtrack that manages to earworm itself before the first refrain. This is just the surface however. Deeper underneath lies the films secret in pulling in the audience as the films dance partner the camera. The frame flows in and around the spaces these characters inhabit. It pulls you in close and is not afraid to open up and dance to the periphery of the full Cinemascope frame without cutting away. I never knew how it felt to dance so well. Even when the characters arent dancing, the camera is.
Had Damien Chazelle and his team stopped there it wouldve been enough to make this film special. Fortunately, for all of us they did not.
It took me a second viewing to see the greater vision of this masterpiece.
That ending is what cements Damien Chazelle in my mind as a someone who will always get me into a seat in the theater. Ill follow him to the moon and beyond now. (Im looking forward to the Neil Armstrong film).
Its conflict and compromise Sebastian Wilder referring to what makes jazz special
La La Land is a transcendently wonderful film that delights the eyes and ears and fills your heart with a warmth and joy that has been missing in film for such a long time. I didnt know how much I needed this movie until the first frames of it unfolded. It immediately captures your eye with the bold use of color to establish tone and mood. Your ears are captivated by the soundtrack that manages to earworm itself before the first refrain. This is just the surface however. Deeper underneath lies the films secret in pulling in the audience as the films dance partner the camera. The frame flows in and around the spaces these characters inhabit. It pulls you in close and is not afraid to open up and dance to the periphery of the full Cinemascope frame without cutting away. I never knew how it felt to dance so well. Even when the characters arent dancing, the camera is.
Had Damien Chazelle and his team stopped there it wouldve been enough to make this film special. Fortunately, for all of us they did not.
It took me a second viewing to see the greater vision of this masterpiece.
Ultimately its a tale of the battle between self and selflessness and how do we deal with these conflicts without compromise when in a relationship. Mia dreams of hitting the big time in Hollywood and it getting frustrated in her compromise of serving drinks and pastry to those who have. So close to her dream she can touch it; but, cant make it. Sebastians dream is become successful enough to perpetuate his love for jazz music and thus save and protect its history. When these two dreamers path cross, their relationship takes flight and begins to create music together. Sebastian inspires Mia to pursue her dream and she does the same for him. Their music begins to sour when they are both faced with the reality that comes from the compromises to their own dreams that must be made to stay together.
Jazz is the metaphor for the films heart. When Sebastian is trying to share his love of it with Mia he says that its beauty comes from the conflict and compromise of the band each trying to step up and do their own thing. Relationships are like that. Both Mia and Sebastian are confronted with this reality and they are unfortunately unable to stay in tune. Mias reach for the stars takes her further away from Sebastian and his compromise for his dream leaves them both unsatisfied. Ultimately, both dreamers believe they cant fulfill their own if they are in the way of each other, so the music they create becomes discordant and they mutually agree to stop.
When these dreamers are brought back together for that brief and beautiful moment at the end of the film, Sebastians fantasy of an altered life of letting Mias dream take flight yields the missing piece of the puzzle that was there all along for both of them the compromised dream. They both couldve having chosen a new dream together that may have been as good or better than what either had individually aspired to. When that fantasy ends and their music stops playing they share a look of mutual satisfaction that ultimately they both got what they wanted; but, in doing so they potentially lost something more. A dream is selfish in a relationship unless its a dream shared.
Jazz is the metaphor for the films heart. When Sebastian is trying to share his love of it with Mia he says that its beauty comes from the conflict and compromise of the band each trying to step up and do their own thing. Relationships are like that. Both Mia and Sebastian are confronted with this reality and they are unfortunately unable to stay in tune. Mias reach for the stars takes her further away from Sebastian and his compromise for his dream leaves them both unsatisfied. Ultimately, both dreamers believe they cant fulfill their own if they are in the way of each other, so the music they create becomes discordant and they mutually agree to stop.
When these dreamers are brought back together for that brief and beautiful moment at the end of the film, Sebastians fantasy of an altered life of letting Mias dream take flight yields the missing piece of the puzzle that was there all along for both of them the compromised dream. They both couldve having chosen a new dream together that may have been as good or better than what either had individually aspired to. When that fantasy ends and their music stops playing they share a look of mutual satisfaction that ultimately they both got what they wanted; but, in doing so they potentially lost something more. A dream is selfish in a relationship unless its a dream shared.
That ending is what cements Damien Chazelle in my mind as a someone who will always get me into a seat in the theater. Ill follow him to the moon and beyond now. (Im looking forward to the Neil Armstrong film).
killertofu
Member
That's a beautiful summary.
Monochromaticx
Member
Just saw it. A great movie, really loved it.
30 minutes into the movie I realized that it must be the same director as Whiplash lol
30 minutes into the movie I realized that it must be the same director as Whiplash lol
Monochromaticx
Member
Heard the nice guys is pretty good
jack_package_200
Banned
Nocturnal Animals? Hell or Highwater? Moonlight? Sing Street? The Nice Guys?
shira
Member
nods
IF they sweep the Golden Globes in January they will probably win a bunch more at the Oscars.
The Musical/Comedy category is pretty soft so if they don't sweep those then don't expect much come February.
Song/Soundtrack they should win.
Director/Screenplay are a whole nother ballgame.
1. It has not been a shit year if you haven't even watched enough to have an actually opinion.
2. A stay at home dad probably watched more movies than you
JetBlackPanda
Member
you nailed it. its a special film and its exactly what "I" needed coming out of 2016 and starting the new year.
thank you for writing this up.
Whiplash is still his best but your spoiled tag section perfectly describes the end of the movie.
Uhh I've seen almost every major release this year, so... You can save that sick stay at home dad burn for someone else.
This was a very underwhelming year, in my opinion. You don't like it? I don't give a shit.
You watched moon light and all the other greats yet your list is
1. La la land
2.arrival
3. Who cares about the rest.
Now I know it is your opinion but no one is going to take you serious when you spout bs
TheGreatDirector
Banned
The Epilogue is such a good song.
I've seen 2 of the 3 (not Manchester yet).
Didn't think they were anything that special. Arrival and La La Land were heads and shoulders above, IMO.
IAmtheFMan
Member
Handmaiden's my top for the year.
Great write-up. But that's just the first half of that dialogue, the second is equally important and explains Mia's character more.
Him making her fall in love with Jazz is what ultimately drives them apart. The idea that it is "new and exciting every time" is what resonates more with the character Mia than the "conflict and compromise". Seb makes her fall in love with Jazz more than he does with him. Where he goes back to familiar, she (pushed by him) is going for new and exciting. Her single woman show, which leads into (again pushed by him) the audition for a film where the story is formed around the actress (again new and exciting). The final dialogue before the time jump explains why they aren't meant for each other, he says he'll do what he's been doing (familiar) while she goes off to Paris (new and exciting).
Gonna see it for the second time this weekend, but needless to say it's my favorite film of 2016.
JetBlackPanda
Member
I'm the same way, it affected me deeply.
JediMasterMatt
Member
Excellent points and yes, while there is truth in what you are saying, don't forget that –
When the dreamers first come together, Mia is living a life of compromise. She is miserable because of it. She wants to be a star; but, has settled for simply serving them. It is Sebastian that has been living his dream without compromises. He wants his dream to unfold exactly the way he wants it (his treasured mementos in his club in exactly his desired location) and isn't willing to settle for anything less. He won't even unpack his treasures in his home less he lose his focus on unpacking them in their rightful (in his mind) place in his club.
Yes, when they come together it is Mia who is inspired by Sebastian to fully commit to her dream. She quits her job and doubles down on fulfilling it and if she can't make it with delivering someone else's monologue, she will write her own to perform. Sebastian is what gives her this drive and new outlook on life and be a bit more selfish to live her dream. Yes, it is exciting and new like jazz because all relationships are like that at the beginning. What keeps people together in relationships and keeps their music playing is learning to compromise.
I don't think Mia is being one hundred percent selfish though in that she was forcing Sebastian to compromise though. The film clearly shows that Sebastian's compromise in taking the job in Keith's band and playing someone else's music is more based in the pressure he places on himself for wanting to please her and more importantly her mother's impression of him due to the overheard phone conversation. Ultimately, it is Mia's recognition of seeing Sebastian change from the person he was (uncompromising) into the person she was before (the compromiser) and her understanding of what that would mean to his dreams that brings their relationship to its mutual conclusion. They believe it is better for both of their dreams to be pursued and potentially fulfilled than to have one or the other's be squashed. They didn't recognize the alternative of the sharing the same dream. It would've been better to have one or the other's get fulfilled since pursing both would've been too much.
When you think about Sebastian's fantasy at the end of the film, it is entirely filled with him compromising everything so that Mia's dream can still come true and them both be together. Instead of being focused on his music and his drive, he embraces her and her dream immediately after being embarrassed at the club at their first face to face encounter. From that point in the fantasy on he lets her dream flourish and his original dream isn't even referenced. He travels with her and plays music in Paris; but, at no point does Chicken on a Stick or Seb's come to light... and Sebastian in this fantasy is perfectly content with that. He's got a new dream and that would've been better than anything he could've dreamed before.
The reality that came to be was Mia got exactly what she wanted in her original dream and Sebastian got ”almost" what he wanted. She was a huge star that got the free coffee that she went ahead and paid for. Sebastian got a successful jazz nightclub (the place was packed and his employee said business was great); but, it wasn't located at specific venue he originally wanted and it wasn't named what he planned either. Both share that knowing final look and smile of acknowledgement that this altered future is one that they can both be happy with (Mia is happy for her fulfilled dream and she now understands that both Sebastian and her could be happy with his compromise). Their loss is that their song could've kept playing had they both understood this five years ago.
Yes, when they come together it is Mia who is inspired by Sebastian to fully commit to her dream. She quits her job and doubles down on fulfilling it and if she can't make it with delivering someone else's monologue, she will write her own to perform. Sebastian is what gives her this drive and new outlook on life and be a bit more selfish to live her dream. Yes, it is exciting and new like jazz because all relationships are like that at the beginning. What keeps people together in relationships and keeps their music playing is learning to compromise.
I don't think Mia is being one hundred percent selfish though in that she was forcing Sebastian to compromise though. The film clearly shows that Sebastian's compromise in taking the job in Keith's band and playing someone else's music is more based in the pressure he places on himself for wanting to please her and more importantly her mother's impression of him due to the overheard phone conversation. Ultimately, it is Mia's recognition of seeing Sebastian change from the person he was (uncompromising) into the person she was before (the compromiser) and her understanding of what that would mean to his dreams that brings their relationship to its mutual conclusion. They believe it is better for both of their dreams to be pursued and potentially fulfilled than to have one or the other's be squashed. They didn't recognize the alternative of the sharing the same dream. It would've been better to have one or the other's get fulfilled since pursing both would've been too much.
When you think about Sebastian's fantasy at the end of the film, it is entirely filled with him compromising everything so that Mia's dream can still come true and them both be together. Instead of being focused on his music and his drive, he embraces her and her dream immediately after being embarrassed at the club at their first face to face encounter. From that point in the fantasy on he lets her dream flourish and his original dream isn't even referenced. He travels with her and plays music in Paris; but, at no point does Chicken on a Stick or Seb's come to light... and Sebastian in this fantasy is perfectly content with that. He's got a new dream and that would've been better than anything he could've dreamed before.
The reality that came to be was Mia got exactly what she wanted in her original dream and Sebastian got ”almost" what he wanted. She was a huge star that got the free coffee that she went ahead and paid for. Sebastian got a successful jazz nightclub (the place was packed and his employee said business was great); but, it wasn't located at specific venue he originally wanted and it wasn't named what he planned either. Both share that knowing final look and smile of acknowledgement that this altered future is one that they can both be happy with (Mia is happy for her fulfilled dream and she now understands that both Sebastian and her could be happy with his compromise). Their loss is that their song could've kept playing had they both understood this five years ago.
It's such a great film.
LucidMomentum
Member
Going to see it Friday with a friend. Really looking forward to it.
Question: she's not a huge Jazz fan, will that turn her off the movie? I forgot about Sebastian being a Jazz musician.
Question: she's not a huge Jazz fan, will that turn her off the movie? I forgot about Sebastian being a Jazz musician.
shira
Member
Lul that's the movie
LucidMomentum
Member
RIP.
I mean she digs musicals and I sent her the IMDB synopsis so eh.
I'm gonna see it because I don't want to miss it and our hick town has a super limited showing.
- Status