Traffic has come to a complete stop on an overpass and the many drivers take the opportunity to climb out of their cars for a song and dance number. Classic. Once everyone is back in their vehicle, we see Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) repeatedly rewinding the cassette player and listening intently to the same few notes of jazz. Just in front of him, we find Mia (Emma Stone) having a faux conversation on her phone which is for an audition. When traffic starts moving, Mia is too involved to go and an irate Sebastian pulls around her and openly displays his annoyance. Later, Mia is walking home when she hears a piano. Curious, she enters a restaurant where she sees Sebastian playing. She goes to compliment him but again he reacts very negatively. Eventually, these repeated meetings lead to a relationship where each express their desires. Mia wants to be a successful actress while Sebastian has dreams of running a jazz club.
The movie is fun and reminded me of those old musicals from the 50s and 60s. However, there was a lack of polish. Hollywood has gone so long between making musicals that the talent and skill to do them is no longer present. Most musicals of the last couple of decades have been animated (e.g. Moana, Frozen, Lion King) or directly adapted from a Broadway play (Chicago, Into the Woods). Without the depth of talent from the heyday of musicals, something original like this was a monumental task and it is surprisingly good in that light. Of note, I am not a fan of either Emma Stone or Ryan Gosling. Gosling has this cloud of melancholy about him. When not actively emoting, he seems profoundly sad. Even when he smiles, he's got those sad eyes. Though he learned to play the piano for the role, his singing voice is mediocre. Emma Stone is a talented actress but likewise has a so-so singing voice. Had I been casting director, I would have looked for singers who can act rather than actors who can sing. Same goes for dancing. They are fine dancers but a long way from Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Cyd Charisse.
The ending is really commendable. It is both happy and sad, success and failure. There is joy to offset Gosling's melancholy. It's the kind of ending that fits in real life rather than the 'happily ever after' that we usually see.
Definitely see this one. A nice throwback to a bygone era and perhaps a movie to spark a new wave of live-action, original musicals.
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