In what ways did ‘La La Land’ reshape the modern musical?

The Contemporary Musical Transformed: The Influence of ‘La La Land’

When La La Land debuted in 2016, it mesmerized global audiences with its lively hues, captivating jazz, and poignant love story. Although it clearly paid homage to the classic days of Hollywood, the movie also played a significant role in advancing contemporary musicals. Alongside its visual flair and renowned cast, La La Land presented daring structural, thematic, and technical advancements that influenced filmmakers and viewers alike.

Reviving the Song-and-Dance Tradition

Musicals had slowly moved away from the primary cinema spotlight, with only a few making an impact from the late 1900s to the early 2000s. La La Land revitalized the public’s enthusiasm for this genre by incorporating timeless elements—unplanned street performances, imaginative sequences, and group routines. The film’s introductory scene, “Another Day of Sun,” immediately evoked recollections of past musical extravaganzas with its broad camera sweeps over a Los Angeles highway. Nonetheless, director Damien Chazelle brought a modern twist to the style with continuous-shot choreography, blending the vibrancy of modern urban life instead of restricting the action to studio sets. This depiction of urban authenticity, closely linked to the music, made the musical numbers central not just as spectacular elements but as a medium for expressing the characters’ emotions.

A New Kind of Musical Narrative

Instead of adhering strictly to a cheerful storyline, La La Land delves into themes of aspiration, sacrifice, and the poignant price of pursuing dreams. The plot defies conventional routes: while it offers instances of sheer happiness, the movie ends with a sequence showcasing a potential alternate reality, confronting the sorrow of unfulfilled possibilities. Through this approach, Chazelle pushed back against the neat conclusions of traditional musicals, adding layers of modern emotional depth. Both reviewers and viewers observed how songs like “City of Stars” or “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” enrich the story, integrating music with the narrative both emotionally and conceptually.

Visual Storytelling and Cinematic Techniques

La La Land elevated its storytelling through distinctive visual language. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren employed bold primary colors reminiscent of Technicolor films, but harnessed digital technology and innovative lighting to evoke mood and memory. The film’s use of long takes in dance sequences, practical sets on location, and homage-laden visual cues expanded the musical idiom for a new generation. For instance, the planetarium dance is both a tribute to the fantasy ballets of Vincente Minnelli and a contemporary expression of limitless aspiration. Such sequences benefit from digital effects not as spectacle, but as tools to heighten emotion.

The Role of Music and Sound in Character Development

Composer Justin Hurwitz, along with lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, created a musical experience that honors jazz and classic show tunes while also integrating modern musical influences. The music in the film often blurs the lines between diegetic and non-diegetic elements: characters perform for audiences within the story and for their own personal expression, providing insight into their mental states. An example is Mia’s audition song, which shifts from a narrative element to a source of personal release, giving the audience a glimpse into her internal struggles. Sebastian’s deep engagement with jazz illustrates the balance between maintaining tradition and embracing new ideas, mirroring the film’s own blend of genres.

Social and Cultural Resonance

La La Land resonated with audiences beyond film enthusiasts, becoming a worldwide cultural icon. Its box office success—grossing over $440 million internationally—and its dominance in awards, winning six Academy Awards, marked a resurgence for original musicals within the mainstream. Set in the diverse city of Los Angeles, featuring a globally varied supporting cast and highlighting immigrant aspirations, it emerged as a universal narrative while portraying distinctly American dreams. In educational and community theater, the film’s impact is visible in the increasing array of modern musicals with original soundtracks, movement-focused staging, and lifelike character development.

Legacy: Inspiring a New Creative Wave

Since La La Land, several musicals have been released targeting comparable artistic and commercial success, including The Greatest Showman, Mary Poppins Returns, and In the Heights. Streaming services have also started funding musical productions, while prominent award organizations have shown greater openness to the genre. Experts and reviewers observe that the movie’s ability to merge nostalgia with innovation established a benchmark, showing that musicals can thrive in the market while maintaining artistic goals and modern significance.

A Contemplative Summary

La La Land made a significant impact on the language and heritage of contemporary musicals. Its technical brilliance, genuine emotion, and openness to merging the classic with the contemporary established it as a standard for creativity in a genre historically characterized by tradition. Instead of simply honoring bygone eras, the movie broadened the musical’s lexicon for an evolving media environment—encouraging both creators and viewers to explore once again the enchantment and significance of narratives conveyed through music and dance.