It's the start of a brand new month, and that means all the best streaming services (Prime Video included) have just added a slew of new titles for us all to enjoy. While I was looking down the list of what's new on Prime Video in February, one movie jumped out to me in particular that was worth shouting about: Damien Chazelle's "La La Land." Why? Because it's one of the best movie musicals to hit the big screen in decades.
As a lover of the theater and thus of the silver screen's all-singing, all-dancing offerings, I'd happily rank "La La Land" alongside the likes of "Chicago," "In the Heights" and "Tick, Tick... Boom!" as one of the best musicals in modern memory. "La La Land" is a wonderful love letter to cinema, and a bright, thoroughly entertaining screen musical, and, seeing as it's just become available to stream on Prime Video, I figure now is as good an opportunity as ever to recommend it all over again.
What is 'La La Land' about?
"La La Land" tells the tale of two people: aspiring actress Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) and dedicated jazz musician Sebastian "Seb" Wilder (Ryan Gosling), two talents who cross paths and fall in love while struggling to make ends meet in Los Angeles, a city known for crushing dreams and breaking hearts. Across two hours, this original movie musical charts their highs and lows as they continue to pursue their passions, and sees how chasing those same dreams affects their dynamic.
In addition to Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, "La La Land" also stars John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, Tom Everett Scott, and Josh Pence.
Why you should stream 'La La Land' on Prime Video
If you've somehow dodged "La La Land" until now, you absolutely should give it a shot if you're looking for a feel-good or romantic watch for February. Chazelle's musical is a beautifully composed, charming film across the board.
From the winning lead performances to the staging and scenery, right through to Justin Hurwitz's score and some delightful songs from songwriters Pasek and Paul, the whole thing is just a delight. The fact that it references and pays homage to classic movie moments lends it this timeless quality that makes it easy to revisit. I've only grown more fond of the film every time I've watched it.
It's romantic, heartfelt, and full of catchy tunes, fantastic routines, and beautiful scenes, and it's been on my rotation of comfort watches since it first exploded onto the scene. Whether you've seen it before or not, "La La Land" is a pure explosion of joy (yes, even allowing for its bittersweet moments), and I'd urge you to add it to your watchlist.
If you've read this far, it's obvious I'm a huge fan, but "La La Land" comes well-recommended from countless critics, too. Right now, "La La Land" is sitting at a 91% approval rating on the review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that reads: "'La La Land' breathes new life into a bygone genre with thrillingly assured direction, powerful performances, and an irresistible excess of heart."
Reviewing for Observer, British critic Mark Kermode gave the movie a five-star rating, summing the film up as "a splendid continuation of cinema's ever-evolving love affair with song and dance," adding: "Like the musical itself, the film has timeless charm and a brave sense of adventure."
Another note-perfect review came from Empire's Ian Freer, who offered another 5/5-star verdict and wrote: "Pure unadulterated joy is in short supply these days, both on the big screen and off. Which makes Damien Chazelle's irresistible "La La Land" all the more cherishable."
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