Overview
A vibrant love story where dreams and reality collide in the City of Angels.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- romantic
- buoyant
- date night
- musical movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a visually inventive, beautifully performed modern musical with memorable songs and strong emotional appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mia and Sebastian’s relationship is repeatedly strained by the professional dreams they pursue and the sacrifices those dreams require.
The film uses choreographed long takes, saturated color, theatrical musical numbers, and overt references to Hollywood performance traditions.
Mia attends auditions while Sebastian works small jazz gigs and tries to establish himself as a serious musician.
The jazz score, melancholy mood, and emphasis on fleeting connection give the love story a tender but emotionally rueful register.
Films like La La Land, and why
A Star Is Born
shared modern musical romance, artistic ambition, jazz-inflected atmosphere, and bittersweet emotional resolution
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
shared classical Hollywood musical style, romantic chemistry, performance-centered storytelling, and wistful tone
New York, New York
shared show-business setting, dance-driven visual design, romantic longing, and conflict between love and career
Singin' in the Rain
shared exuberant musical form, artistic aspiration, romantic tension, and affection for cinema history
Movie Details
- Director
- Damien Chazelle
- Release Date
- 2016-12-01
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (18533)
Cast
- Ryan Gosling
- Emma Stone
- John Legend
- Rosemarie DeWitt
- Finn Wittrock
- Callie Hernandez
- Sonoya Mizuno
- Jessica Rothe
- Tom Everett Scott
- Josh Pence
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is La La Land about?
- A dazzling jazz-era-inspired musical romance about two Los Angeles dreamers whose love is tested by the careers they refuse to abandon.
- What is La La Land like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of La La Land as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is La La Land violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in La La Land.
- What did critics think of La La Land?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a visually inventive, beautifully performed modern musical with memorable songs and strong emotional appeal.
- Which films are like La La Land?
- Films with a similar feel include A Star Is Born, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, New York, New York, and Singin' in the Rain.
- How long is La La Land?
- La La Land runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch La La Land?
- In United States, La La Land streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
