Its glitz does not run deep. I'm really not impressed by the music in the movie, which is a huge whiff. The original score honestly kinda sucks for a major musical. However you orchestrate it, however many times jazz purist Sebastian plays it, it's not jazz. But it thinks it is, meaning it won't actualize in pop either. I think I would love this movie with a good score.
Another whiff on glitz is Gosling. I've always liked Gosling, but he's drama or he's grounded charisma for me, he's not a showman, he's not a stud. He's not a very good singer. I didn't believe him in Crazy, Stupid, Love either, and the trailers for The Fall Guy look intolerable. I don't buy Gosling like this. He works in humbler ways. He works in the "raw reality" angle I mentioned. In fact, he kills, in that way, like always.
Emma Stone also doesn't work for me as a glamorous singer. During her uncut solo piece, I could only think of how much more I believe Anne Hathaway in hers, in Les Mis. There are polished singer/actors out there, and there are ones who work in humbler, quirkier charisma; Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are the latter, yet the film tries to use them for both.
The other time I saw this movie, I feel like I was devastated at the end. Now I get it in a way... they missed the mark on each other, but they fulfilled their dreams elsewhere. What are the chances you fulfill your dreams AND end up with the perfect person? Not likely unless that's your only dream. I'm happy for Mia and Sebastian. Those dreams lived with them long before the other person did. The dreams are probably more authentic for them than the relationship is. The relationship is just fun and satisfying, not destiny.
Nothing about Ryan Gosling or his presence in the movie makes me believe he really digs jazz. Another big whiff for the movie, potentially inevitable in that casting. Maybe I'm biased as someone who actually plays the piano.
Ignoring all musical stuff, the film is excellent in many ways. The visuals, the acting, the climactic conflict at dinner... really good stuff. Emma Stone is awesome. Again, all of this is ignoring music. I wish I could love this movie.
iirc this the only Chazelle you've seen. Seems like you'd be put off by the jazz in Whiplash. I thought Babylon was pretty fun; seems like most were bored by it tho. Maybe I should see First Man again, but I recall a less Gosling-like role there; though maybe the solemnity fits
ReplyDeleteI remember the Babylon trailer looking awesome, but when I followed up on it the reception wasn't as hot as I'd hoped, so I forgot about it. I've had a couple more people tell me Whiplash is great, so I'd consider it. I watched the First Man trailer recently, hoping to ride my recent space high, but it didn't attract me too much. I don't think Gosling has to be silly in a movie, but you'd want at least glimpses of the charisma. That's what's fun about him in Cianfrance and Refn movies -- glimpses of his silliness amid the artsy darkness. Not sure if he'd work in a very professional movie like I imagine a Neil Armstrong movie would be.
DeleteTo me the purest Gosling is the sullen/quiet/introverted one. BR 2049/Only God Forgives/Drive/TPBTP. But one could argue goofball Gosling is just as prominent. The Nice Guys/The Big Short. I think there are others that fit here, but I haven't seen them recently enough. Maybe La La Land. Barbie Gosling is the secret third thing
DeleteWhat's weird is Cianfrance and Refn feature both Goslings at once: quiet and goofball. It's probably impossible for a person to actually be like that (zero personality yet very charismatic) but it's invigorating to watch. I'm thinking of when he's dancing with the dog in TPBTP
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