Upon initial viewing of La La Land, viewers tend to fall into one of two categories. They either love it and recognize the profound message it imparts or despise it because of what they perceive as a “disappointing” ending. It is entirely reasonable to dislike a film due to personal preferences of movie endings, whether you lean towards classic “happily ever afters” or more realistic conclusions. However, most people fail to grasp the concept and overarching theme of La La Land and heavily misjudge the film. While it remains a point of controversy whether the ending should have been different, I believe it was perfect.
La La Land exemplifies the message of fulfilling dreams at the cost of relationships and love. This theme is impressively pushed through symbols, music, lighting, and overall effects that aren’t easily noticed until the viewer analyzes deeper. The film is seemingly split into two “acts” exactly halfway through the film, as a play or musical might be.
In “Act 1”, or the first half of the movie, the opening number sets the stage for the realm of dreamers in Los Angeles. This city is renowned for embodying the dreamscape, a place where aspirations can become reality but also where the boundary separating illusion and real life is often blurred. It is widely known that many people move to LA in hopes of achieving their dreams, especially artists.
When we are introduced to Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz pianist, the movie explores the dichotomy between illusion and reality as Mia faces countless rejections and Sebastian struggles with opening his own jazz club. After another rejection at one of Mia’s auditions, she stumbles upon a small jazz club, the melodious notes seeping through the walls captivating her curiosity before she enters. Within, Sebastian is playing a distinctive melody on the piano, a tune that will resonate significantly throughout the film. While this plays, Mia is completely drawn in. All other noise and surroundings fade into obscurity, leaving the screen focused solely on her- who is enthralled with Sebastian’s performance. This exact enchanting effect is bestowed upon Sebastian in the form of a spotlight while all background gradually fades.
Once the song ends, Mia approaches to compliment him. However, her admiration is short-lived as Sebastian is promptly fired for playing jazz instead of the holiday setlist he was ordered to play. He shoves past Mia in frustration. When they meet again at a party months later, they click instantly, and they evidently are irresistibly drawn to each other. The rest of the first half of the movie plays out like a musical. It features a vibrant primary color motif in costuming, providing a whimsical quality. This is the beginning of how the film uses color to depict the relationship between Mia and Sebastian. The cinematography amplifies this through striking lighting and effects, mirroring what Mia sees: a city where anything is possible.
The two characters are deeply in love, and throughout many endearing, fairytale-like encounters and dates, they encourage each other to pursue their dreams. Sebastian supports her acting and her plan for a one-woman show, and Mia designs a name, “Seb’s,” and a logo for his future jazz club; an idea that he dismisses. Now, the color palette begins to change from primary colors to a blending of them to symbolize their connection. During their famous dance, the sunset becomes a blending of blue and red, two primary colors, into purple. The jazz club is now lit orange. During their song, “City of Stars”, green lighting pours in through the windows.
They share a first kiss after a very magical and romantic dance at a planetarium, where the imagery of flight and stars accentuates the overwhelming sense of love and adoration between them. The screen, reminiscent of classic cinema, gradually narrows in on itself and goes dark, as if evoking the familiar sensation of an impending “The End!” screen. This marks the end of the first act and the sweet, comforting phase of dreaminess.
The movie then begins the second act with an opening shot, which seems like the beginning of a movie. At this point forward, all of the songs become diegetic; the characters are now aware that they are singing. Upon hearing a somewhat tense phone call between Mia and her mother regarding financial matters, Sebastian decides to focus on making more money. He reconnects with Keith, an old friend who previously offered him a position in his jazz band, and Sebastian decides to join as a means of income while he saves up for his own club. Mia consents, attending his first show. Immediately, it becomes apparent to both Mia and the viewers that the band plays an entirely different genre of jazz that Sebastian wouldn’t ever want to play. The highly popular, “modernized” take on jazz sets a slightly jarring, awkward tone, leading Mia to leave the concert after being shoved away from the stage by fans.
From here out, their relationship begins a gradual descent. Even while living together, they see each other less with Sebastian touring with his band, and with Mia heavily focusing on her one-woman show. The scene that sends their relationship crashing is Sebastian’s surprise dinner for Mia. Both characters are bathed in green lighting, a comforting blend of the two primary colors as seen earlier.
It is established here that Sebastian is gravitating toward a long-term commitment to his band and plans to embark on more tours. He wants Mia to accompany him, but she is determined to focus on her show. Mia is stunned by his decision, since it is apparent that he doesn’t genuinely enjoy the music he’s playing, prompting her to confront him as his whole character before has been focused on true, classic jazz. The two go back and forth, and the seven-minute scene ascends into a heated argument. The green lighting recedes from Mia’s character, while Sebastian remains illuminated, symbolizing their growing disconnect. When he finally reaches a breaking point, Mia storms out in frustration.
The final breaking point in their relationship occurs when Mia’s long-awaited play finally debuts. Busy with a photoshoot, Sebastian does not show. Hardly anyone did, and those who were there insulted and mocked her. This takes both characters to their lowest points, as Mia flees to her hometown after Sebastian attempts to apologize.
In a brief summary, Sebastian gets a call from a casting agent looking for Mia and he manages to find her, convincing her to try again. At first, she is reluctant, but she eventually auditions, which becomes one of the highlights of the film. She delivers a meaningful performance about her aunt and her passion for acting. Once finished, she and Sebastian discuss their future, and they admit that they will always love each other, leaving uncertainty about where their relationship will go as Mia would have to move to Paris if she was chosen.
The film jumps five years in the future. Mia has become a successful actress. She is married and has a kid, but not with Sebastian. She and her husband come across a jazz club while looking for a place to have dinner, and upon entering, she notices the name of the club: Seb’s. The realization dawns on her, and she follows her husband inside. Sebastian notices her in the audience and their gazes share a significant moment. The lighting in the club is now blue and red, signifying that they are no longer connected. After a meaningful pause while their gazes linger, he sits at the piano and plays their notorious song from the beginning of the movie. The enchanting effect envelops them both, all fading to the darkness behind Mia and the spotlight shining on Sebastian.
The melody triggers a montage, showing what could have been- an alternate version of events where they stayed together. It revisits their entire journey but alternated- as if they know exactly what to do and what not to do. For instance, they have their own house, Sebastian turns Keith down immediately, Mia’s one-woman show thrives (and Sebastian attends), and the scene switches to what seems like a set, involving dancing and cardboard cutouts. Mia is chosen for the same audition, and she and Sebastian go to Paris together. They dance in a star-like background, a callback to the scene in the planetarium from the first act. They sit down to watch a film of what could’ve been their life. There are strong parallels to what she and her real husband did, where they went to Seb’s and sat together, much closer, and more intimate than what we saw earlier with her current husband.
As the music slows and becomes melancholic, it cuts back to reality, with Sebastian at the piano. Mia and her husband make their way out, but she looks back to Sebastian, who gazes back at her. They share a long and meaningful look, exchanging smiles, recognizing the life they could have had together- a mix of sadness and acceptance.
This ending sequence, a fantasy of what could have been, transitioned back into a musical. It would make sense if the ‘ending’ halfway through is meant to depict how Hollywood films typically conclude with the relationship on a perfect high note, but they don’t show what happens after, which is usually not so perfect (second half of La La Land). This pushes the theme that LA and the people who go there to achieve their fantasies live a façade.
As it embraces the bittersweet reality of life’s complexities, La La Land leaves an indelible mark on its audience, encouraging them to consider the true meaning of happiness and fulfillment.
