Never knew this would be my most viewed video, but I am absolutely so grateful for the response. Many of you have shared your own romantic journeys, whether they be of happy endings or of loss, and how this film spoke to you in the midst of them. Many of you also have added new analysis, some agreeing with me some disagreeing, both of which have been so engaging and delightful for me to get to read. Thank you for showing me the bright side of CZcams in this comment section. All the best.
Michael Shaw, Watch Vinnaithaandi Varuvaya a tamil movie, a 2010 movie. You should see a similar kind of climax though the story is a bit different with almost similar plot structure.
I didn't read all of your comments but I really appreciate the editing that went into this video. From the cutting of momentum from the film to your points about critical moments is great. Not to mention the clicks that can be heard as if you are editing real time. Great video about a great film. Well done.
I just found you 😻 wanted to let you know I love your videos and your content is great. Thank you very much I hope to see you continually making videos and sharing your wisdom and other gifts. 🎁 💚
Oh My Goodness, Your detailed experience that you have shared is second to none! I gotta tell ya, I wouldn't have wanted to pause this video because of what was being said & the voice behind that. Bravo!
I literally married my wife because of this ending. I was emotionally destroyed for a week after walking out the theater, because the ending hit me so hard. My attitude toward love, aspirations/dreams, and "what could be" completely changed, and I've been a better person ever since. This movie changed my life.
@@stephaniespencer4327 Sorry I'm late! Before the film, I felt like my perspective of the world and my personal relationships were two-dimensional, or as if I had blinders on; I didn't see anything outside of what was right in front of me. I didn't consider how much of an impact even the smallest decisions had on my life, nor did I think I was personally capable of changing the broader outcome of my own life. By considering the bigger "what ifs" in my relationships and career choices, I realized exactly what I wanted my life to be. I could either put in the work to make my current relationship & passions/career work out (both were inherently risky at the time; my Girlfriend was long-distance and career/passion is difficult to find work), or I could "play it safe" and give everything up for an "easier", less interesting life. From my perspective, although Mia and Sebastian both followed their passions, neither of them really got the love they wanted. They made their choice, but I knew I didn't have to choose. I could do both. Today I'm a video producer and business owner, and I've been married for almost two years. And I wouldn't change a single thing.
"If your audience isn't able to argue, just a little bit about the meaning of your story... you haven't written a story. You've written a sermon." Damn.
And, adding to your thesis, I also noticed the fact that Sebastian actually had to walk by a huge poster of Mia's face everyday to get to the club. Which could mean that he had to think of her every time, so I'm sure he had to reflect on what he did wrong and how he would go back and right the wrongs you mentioned. And him playing their theme when Mia was in the club was his way of telling her that he still thinks about her (obviously) instead of going up to her and explaining himself or unloading that possible guilt. That could also explain why the epilogue, hypothetical scenes were really all dictated by his decisions, because the writers made it so that the ideal future would require Sebastian to make different choices and he's had the time, and kind of been forced to, to reflect on it now. Thoughts?
@JohnnyJohnny Gaming totally. It’s an interesting case of two soul mates who equally got in their own way. To say it’s one or the others actions that caused the ‘sad’ ending is not what I felt at all. Then again, the beauty of stories is that everyone has their own experience with it. So no one is wrong. Amazing AMAZING movie.
@DrDexter We don’t know what happened during those 5 years, but it would appear that Seb’s decision to join the band and enjoy commercial success was his final mistake and sacrifice for him to get his club. In the fantasy, he goes with her to Paris which is what he should have done instead of traveling with the band that made him successful but lose her. If he goes to Paris maybe he can only make ends meet, but at least he is still with her and he has to find another way to get the money for the club. There’s more than one way to solve a problem and he chose the easiest way but the one that lost Mia. It’s possible that the two didn’t actually see each other again after she went to Paris and eventually met someone else.
@@jasonleetaiwan well but iirc, he joined the commercial band because he overheard mia and her mother talking on the phone and he wanted to be more suitable one for mia but it kinda backfired so i do t really blame him
@Official Gamer LAD Neither was responsible. When they were on the bench at the observatory, they implicitly acknowledged that each was on the respective path they had set out on before they met. They were both artists, neither of whom could stand to be the justification for compromise or sacrifice of the other's dreams.
@@SuomyOna agreed. I like how u mentioned the cost would be their dream. First, this is not abt tracing accountability and discerning what one did "wrong" in this relationship -- there's nothing rly "wrong" in life, there're only regrets and opportunity costs. I don't think Sebastian would have chosen the epilogue even given a second chance. The commercial success definitely made substantial monetary support for his club (I mean the grand piano there is a steinway, not to mention the other costs of that club), so his dream wouldn't rly be fulfilled without it. And I think his talent was rly something, and his tours brought so much happiness in those audiences too. In a sense, they didn't loose each other. They wouldn't be both successful in pursuing their dreams if they weren't together and pulled each other through their toughest times. They truly love each other, and I think that's all that matters. A marriage requires more than just love. It requires stability, responsibility, sacrifice, which both of them couldn't rly provide for each other when they started pursuing their dreams. They missed each other, but the amount of good they have done for each other more than makes up for it.
Idk if y’all noticed but in the last keys he’s playing, the last note that’s supposed to culminate all of the notes of the song, he doesn’t play it. It might be a stretch but to me I’ve always seen it as if that dream was never completed, it never came to be. Therefore there is no ending to his song/dream because there was never completion in it.
I took this girl to watch this movie back whenever it came out..even though we only dated for a little while, I liked a her a lot..when the movie got to the ending scene the theater was extremely quite.. It felt like time almost stood still and that the air was sucked out of the room..I took a look at her; she was intently looking at the screen so she didn't notice me..I knew that what was happening on the screen at that moment, was us..I knew we would end eventually..she had gotten out of a 4 year relationship not to long before we started dating..and then there was me; a perpetual self sabotager..I didn't hear from her for almost a year, when a friend of mine told me that she had gotten engaged..she's pregnant now. Every now and then I think about her, not with any regrets. Just the memories of what we had for that little while..I'm happy she found someone that truly made her happy.
No one has replied to this and Im shocked. So here you go. This ending is amazing and quite frankly life changing. Your comment, is also making me think. The people we had (ex bf or ex gf) should not be looked at as "i hate them". They made us grow and they made us confront possible insecurities we had. We will never meet, but I hope you find someone and I wish you the best.
Hi. I just read your comment and I really connected with your story, the same way I felt about the ending epilogue of La La Land. Just because two people did not end up together does not erase the precious little moments that happened between them. I did not quite understand this upon my first viewing experience but last November I briefly dated someone that's kind, humorous, extremely respectful of my boundaries, and exercised manner and self-control in a way that made me feel really safe. I am kind of a fatalist when it comes to relationships but at that time I felt like that person and I could be something for a really long time. And later on, it might have been the long-distance or something else but we just stopped feeling that way toward each other, no particular reason why. I still sometimes remember moments that we had shared together but it was not with disappointment or resentment the way I thought of him, but rather just grateful that it happened and how he and I shared a magical few dates. I think people like this who exist in short little snippets of memories you will always remember and they will always sort of be with you in some way. The way he treated me, inspired me and helped me grow will always stay with me, and I will always love him (maybe not love but that's a quote that really hit me in the movie). So I watched the movie from start to finish again earlier this year and I think I discovered new things about the film and myself and what the director was trying to say. BTW I really felt the "...and then there was me; a perpetual self sabotager...", I hope you're doing better now and feeling better about yourself. I'm happy that you feel happy that she feels happy. I hope you find someone who truly makes you happy soon too, if you haven't already :). Have a nice day.
I'm late to the party but I have just watched this movie for the first time. Wow, that ending. What has gotten to me the most is the body language and interaction contrast between Mia and her husband vs. Mia with Sebastian in the fantasy ending. You can clearly see that the husband's a decent guy and Mia's content. But then look how she's draped all over Sebastian (at the table in the jazz club, as an example) compared to with her husband in the real world (they're not holding hands or even leaning toward each other). I mean, YIKES. One day you can think you have it all, but then it hits you maybe you actually missed something VERY important, and it'll make you feel like the emptiest soul in the world.
I don't know if I would read too much into that. If we saw more of Mia's life with her husband, maybe we could make that judgement. However, no couple in love is draped all over each other all of the time. That doesn't mean that they aren't extremely happy.
@@misspriss2482 personally I see there is a huge contrast between how she is around her husband and how she is w seb in those scenes so I think that’s a massive hint there.
I was in tears 3 separate times watching the ending, never been emotionally impacted by a film like that before, amazing, absolutely amazing, it still resonates with me to this day
Great video! I think you missed one important part, though. Yes, Seb could have made it work with Mia. Yes, we see all the ways it still could have worked out, but the importance appears at the very end, when Mia is walking with Seb to the jazz club. It is not HIS jazz club. It shows that yes, they made it work. Yes, Mia achieved her dream, but Seb did not achieve his dream. His goal and dream was to create the jazz bar. In the real ending, we see him happy that they both achieved their dreams, but in the epilogue, we see that he had to sacrifice his dream to make hers happen. Only one of their dreams was achieved. One of them needed to make the sacrifice.
@@lukethekuya he can't, he tells us that he needs pain to make jazz. she, in essence helped with his dream just as he did when he dragged her back to acting. thats why the smile at the end. they both acknowlege it.
This! I've been re-watching the movie for the fifth time today and noticed this. Seb would never let Mia sacrifice her dream for his, so why is she fantasizing about him sacrificing his dream? Maybe Seb is really better off without her! I was still crying during the entire movie though
This movie is great because it showcases the brutal reality everyone of us has to face everytime we have to make a choice. In life we meet certain people who help us realise our goals and who give that one little push we need for us to chase our dreams but we may not have them around us to celebrate our successes. Dreams always require us to make sacrifices. Both Seb and Mia knew that their love was a hurdle in their road to achieve their respective dreams. Even though both were deeply in love with each other they knew that they had to let the other go so that he/she can achieve his/her dream. That is what is called being 'truly selfless'.
Although I do believe that Mia is very much in love with her husband, I cant help but to think that the long glance and smile that they shared was anything to be overlooked. Both on the brink of tears of joy to even be able to see each other (especially to see that they are both accomplished) but I also believe there is a great deal of regret behind both of their eyes. Seb especially seemed the most taken back by the whole situation. He seemed a little drunk and he seemed like he spent most of his time at his club with no sort of responsibility or commitment to a family or any partner. Mia also took it very hard and became very uncomfortable with her husband asking if she would like to stay, there was a reason for this. Last thing she wanted was for there to be any chance that she would have to be stuck in the middle of a conversation with her husband and her soulmate. She knew that Seb was the one that was meant to be for her and her for him. I took this ending to be very sad and not happy at all. I think it was nice for them to remember the memories they shared and the smile indicated that they both remember and that they feel the same way. I also do feel that the remorse was overbearing for the both of them and they began to realize that even though they got everything the wanted at the beginning (his bar, her career) they didnt get to have each other, and thats whats the most heartbreaking.
I always thought this was definitely Sebastian’s fantasy. I always got from the ending that he was the one that kept dreaming about Mia until that night he saw her and the “fantasy” was an expression of his lasting feelings. You see them driving to the club instead of her husband. I kind of felt a lot of people missed that. It was like to say he would have rather have had them go to a club together that night than for him to even have fulfilled his own dream (his escalation of thoughts) That’s why you hear the out of tune piano and see feel that jolt back into their reality of separation. It was his final thought there. He would have given his dream up for her. The out of tune piano symbolizes that thing that isn’t right in his life. The road definitely too me symbolizes his desire to have made a different decision... but when he smiles at her, he finally accepts his dream and is happy her life was fulfilled as well.
Idk if you noticed but in the last keys he’s playing, the last note that’s supposed to culminate all of the notes of the song, he doesn’t play it. It might be a stretch but to me I’ve always seen it as if that dream was never completed, it never came to be. Therefore there is no ending to his song/dream because there was never completion in it.
@@brianrodriguez9276 I always thought that the last note not being played was a nod to him not wanting the dream of the two of them being together with to end. Had he played that final note, it would have been a culmination to their combined dream, yet they find that it had to either be their separate dreams in the arts or the dream of sticking together through everything.
I do agree with what you 're saying, quite honestly, but I must say I believe the ending is about that dream that both characters wanted so deeply to have happened instead of the cruel reality that awaited for them in order to accomplish their ideal careers.. The thing is, however, that dream of theirs ( a.k.a. staying together AND pursuing their favourable jobs), is not something that could ever exist... So, I think the ending is not reffering to another possibility or ''what could 've happened'', but just an ideal, utopic world where everything would have gone smoothly and -just like in every cliché Hollywood movie- perfect for both of them. Btw that's just another perspective. I 100% see eye to eye with you. Plz don't come for me. Thanks for ur existence. Great video.
Anna A. I love this take on it. Yeah, the idea that it’s an idealized vision makes TOTAL sense. Might be too optimistic to say it “could have” happened. This really made me think; thanks for your thoughts!
Yo, I'm late but I think it lies in between what could have happened and what "should" have (the ideal). I view it as Sebastians offlering of how he retrospectively should have embraced every moment with Mia. That is represented in the kiss. On a personal thought level, I would contend though that an even more powerful message the ending delivers is the importance of the contentedness of Mia and Seb. They can share these memories and thoughts of what should have been, but bearing that in mind Mia still leaves the club with her husband, without even talking to Seb. And Seb is happy with the dream he persued and achieved too. In fact I view the contrast of the ending montage and the "true end" as a way of respecting the relationship they had for what it was. Their relationship was in fact the Second act of both of their greater stories. Not the first or third acts, but the second. Equally important but leading towards something more.
I actually had this thought for so long. I saw the movie when it came out in theaters and I’ve loved it from that point. And always thought that your take was the take on the movie. But I love this CZcams video’s take on it as well.
@Sarah Stenske oh my goodness I totally agree. I love your thinking!!! The ending montage is referring to how for them to be together Mia wanted Sebastian to be what he wasn’t, and if he was her ideal person he wouldn’t be Sebastian. That was the emotional reason for why they couldn’t stay together. All things considered, I love how many different views and opinions this movie inspires. You can tell a lot about the person watching it based on how they perceive it.
Man, I felt really sad myself after re-watching the clip today, but this breakdown really made me reflect on the things I've missed out on in my life. I wish I had the talent you have to put this together, way to go.
But as a counter point, what about the things you gained by your decisions? It always easier to lament on the things we missed out on. Sure they could have stayed together but perhaps would never have had the success at the end. As The Rolling Stones sang “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”.
Interesting. While I'm a broadcast journalist and not a screenwriter I can't argue with the main premise which you argue very well. What fascinated me and what brought home why the end scene is so powerful for audiences of many ages is the meaning. For younger people perhaps you see the cautionary tale, "I can't let this happen to me, mustn't miss my chance at true love!" For an older man the power in the wistful scene was the very last moment when they both have that brief moment of acknowledgement on their faces. "I see you" that sad smile. "I remember you." Nothing more could be said or needed to be said. Not all choices can be taken, not all paths were meant to be. No decision comes without consequence. We all could only make decisions with the wisdom we had at the time we made them. While we can imagine what we would have done better, we can only do so from the greater knowledge we have from the perspective of this time, so we do a disservice to those younger selves if we hold them in contempt. The genius of the scene in the end was the simplicity and power and the acting of those expressions, those smiles as they turned away from each other. A lifetime missed and accepted in that brief moment. That was the triumph of the entire movie. The very definition of bittersweet.
I watched this movie Over Xmas with my kids (9 and 12) and i can only say thank you for putting into words what I have thought since then. We all loved the movie and all took different things from it. I had exactly that older person response of bittersweet and it really is the perfect description. Thank you.
We met in high school doing research at MIT. We slow danced in a dorm room the day we met in the deep hours of the night to Bennie and the Jets and we watched Good Will Hunting, both of our favorite movie now. I think both of us knew that night that what we had was going to be love and a great one for that matter. We parted ways after this program, back to our homes in Atlanta and Michigan. But, something within us compelled us to stay in touch. Much like Mia and Sebastian, we helped each other get to our dreams: And, I got into Upenn and him Harvard just months later, much thanks to the help we provided each other every day applying to colleges. We spent the next almost year taking trips to visit each other across the country for weekends. I even surprised him for his 18th birthday by collaborating with his parents. I had always hoped we would end up at the same college, but we didn't. And, right before college, we made the decision to break up. It's been two years since I met him and not a day goes by where I don't think about him. Seeing this movie makes me understand how the greatest loves of our life come to teach us and help us grow. We left our relationship saying we'd love each other for ever, and it's true, I love him to this day. I know he was my soulmate. I hope I have another soulmate in the future. I'm only 18. But, if I dont find any greater love, something deep down inside of me hopes it's still him one day.
I personally believe that although it shows that love and dreams can be achieved together, Sebastian and Mia wouldn’t change their outcome for the “La La Land” if given the chance. They loved each other yet they still were so lost on finding who they were and it was very difficult to avoid the immense turmoil in the relationship. In the club, they both share a look knowing that they will love each other forever, but they don’t try to speak because they have no regrets. I believe the movie speaks to the many people who have the one person they loved the most but don’t regret having parted ways with them, because the dream pursuit ending is still a happy ending.
Yes! And I also love that we see Mia full of regrets first, but then she realizes that Seb would be entering a random club with her, and not owning the place. So that's why she's so sad at the end. She knows he would never make it if he went to Paris with her
You can tell this movie is art, because there are so, so many lenses and tools with which you can examine this SINGLE scene, to try to explain why it has so strongly moved many thousands of people. To me, this scene is the best executed living example of crisp, powerful, and beautiful juxtaposition. Through the familiar piano trill of the main theme, we are treated to a dreamlike whirlwind of color, beauty, triumph, and love… the “happily ever after” that fuels Hollywood (ie; the first scene), and we get happily -lost- in it, carried away deeper and deeper into a world that is more and more abstracted from reality, but we don’t c a r e - they’re happy, we’re happy. Where it hurts most is at the pinnacle of the Hollywood-esque conclusion to this happy dream, we wake up from our La La Land into a reality where our grown-up lives are a series of decisions and trade offs and compromises, full of painful lessons learned, regrets that thrive on hindsight, and that bitter, bitter taste of “what could have been.” But that final glance between the two of them is what sells the movie- and makes it a love letter to Hollywood, and to all of us who dream, but have been brought back to reality time and time again. It is the opening scene, played out in reprise: “and when they let you down // another morning rolls around // its another day of sun”. - La La Land (2016) Here’s to those who dream~
I feel this represents how of lot of Millennials feel about their lives and careers. It resonated with me when I saw it at 26 and it still does. Great analysis!
Brilliant analysis! , you really went in-depth to pick out everything no one else noticed and the idea of they could’ve been successful and lived their dream while still being together if they had sacrificed personal greed is amazing. You honestly made me like and understand the end and it’s powerful message, this video deserves more than it’s owed
I first watched this movie in theaters before moving aboard to study and it didn't really had much impact on me as I have never really dated anyone before so I didn't know the feeling. A couple of years later I meet the love of my life. A girl that change everything. As someone who has been alone all the time she came and flip the coin per say. At first I was afraid of falling deeply in love but eventually I did. She showed me that broken people can love and I never felt more happy and in peace. But my insecurities started and after a year she took the decision it was better for us to split up. I agreed at some point but living without her was as painful as it can get. I remember though that the night I asked her to be my girlfriend I made her watch La La Land. And while she was cleaning up the tears I lean on towards her and said "Would you like to write the happy ending with me? Would you be my girlfriend?". A couple months after we've split I noticed she was holding hands and kissing somebody else in the bus station and I broke, quite literally. I started doing poorly with my studies and grades, my mental and physical health went down to the point my friends gather to talk me down the idea of leaving. Throughout the months we would meet and keep a toxic relationship if you will, on which we would say we still love each other only for her to go back to the other guy and me to go even more down the hole. I couldn't bear it anymore. Watching the girl I still love with someone else. I planted this idea in my head that she would be better with him, you see I am an only child with just my mother and the stupid idea of studying film and becoming a film director/writer. This guy was from a rich family studying medicine and was able to give her everything I couldn't. I ended up moving with my best friend back to the US but in the flight I encountered a file on my laptop. "La la land". And then it hit me. It made me cry like a little boy not because the movie is just perfect but I could relate. I would give everything to be with her. I would give everything to write the happy ending.
Wow. You can do this, Jose. I don't know in what place you are right now, but here's my story: when I watched the movie for the first time, I was deeply in love with my ex. We split up because of long distance and because we were both busy with fulfilling our dreams. Then we met accidentally one day applying to the same uni and there was this moment of acknowledgement and sad nod. After 4 years, I have met the love of my life. He is my everything and when I re-watch La La Land now, I picture him in Seb's place. We make each other's dreams come true, and we stay together although it's hard sometimes. This movie has taught me not to let him go, and I won't. You will meet someone who will come in her place and who will be your true Mia with whom you will stay and be yourself, and be successful. I wish you lots of love ❤️
Oh, you summarized this beautifully! I always feel annoyed when people say “she should have chosen him/why did she marry that other guy/she should have waited for Seb”. It’s not about her not choosing him, it’s about him not choosing her. She moved on and had a happy life. He didn’t move on, because of his regrets.
While I agree with you, that was not the only reason. You can see in Mia's fantasy that there is no place for Seb to fulfill his dream. He is entering the club not as the owner, but as a guest. Mia understands this at the end, that is why she is sadly smiling and nodding to Seb.
Obviously, he moved on because he has his club. She got to quit her job and write her play because he took the Job with Keith. By the way, he told her he was staying in LA and that she should go to Paris. He also says to wait to see what the future holds. She wouldn't have gotten the offer without him taking it to her and actually talking her into doing it. He could have gone to Paris with her, but that was her dream not his. I'm not sure he regretted anything, if she is a star, he would have known about her getting married and having a kid.
Description of the movie on STARZ/Crave: "Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart." It's good to see they did the analysis in the description...
I have a different opinion though. Just my thought, and I'm just a student so idk if it's right. I love how this scenario of Mia and Seb is so beautiful, so perfect yet also shows us how impossible that would be. It's impossible for the restaurant manager not to yell at Seb and welcome them like that, or for Mia's performance to be so warmly applauded ( it was her first play). However, only when the manager forgives Seb would he saw Mia that night and not rudely bumped into her. Only when Mia's play had been successful and Seb hadn't missed the play would she not be so disappointed and they not have a fight. The scenario is the only way for their "happy ever after", and as it's impossible, it's also impossible for them to work. Although I love the "happily ever after" kind of thing, this ending reminds me of the reality- that love is sometimes not enough. Some might say it's not impossible. Maybe Seb could have put Mia above himself, and kissed her at the restaurant, talked to her about joining the band, showed up at her show, and then they would have their "happy ever after". However, we couldn't ask for someone to sacrifice and put his own feeling aside for his love. After all, his actions are the consequences of his personality. If he chooses not to, then I shall respect the character and say that the opposite scenery is impossible to happen. Love the movie so much, and I mean it more than ever
Not my usual genre of film but I fell in love with La La Land, was incredible and that ending was nothing short of perfect. Great analysis on this and so surprised this hasn't got more attention. Couldn't be more right with Show Don't tell as well, easy to say but hard to put into practice, but when it is it makes a great film
I absolutely never write any comments on CZcams. But I just watched La La Land for the first time 24 hours ago and it’s absolutely beautiful. In my opinion, it’s a perfect movie. The film has been out so long I knew to expect a sad ending, but absolutely nothing in the world could’ve prepared me for the emotions this movie would be bring. This movie is a masterpiece and a work of art and I cannot wait to rewatch it and discover new things. I’ve never felt so impacted by a movie. The music, cinematography, the performances, everything was flawless and so captivating. I cannot believe how long it took me to watch this work of art.
I saw it more like they both at first needed each other to get to their dreams, she needed his support and he needed her for inspiration. That's what I love about this movie It's so close to reality that sometimes this is what happens, people pass by our lives to push us to achieve something then they disappear. It's not always happy endings but instead it's one of those steps we had to go through to get to where we're meant to. We always dream and fantasize which the movie focuses on, but most likely it doesn't turn out to be the reality. Plus they were toxic to each other, I guess if they stayed together they would've never achieved their dreams, or at least one of them and of course they wouldn't be happy. As much as they would've never made it without each other. They needed to be in each other's life but just temporarily. You get me? It's that one step of our path that would've been missing to realizing our dream.
i noticed one thing; this movie gave me more peace and hope about love and all those things rather than romcoms that straight-up give a happy ending, not that there is anything wrong with happy endings but this ending to me make feel less alone and that everything will be okay
I lived in LA for 20 years- moved their with a record deal with MCA Universal in the 90’s- when this movie came out - my daughter 6 at the time and i - watched it daily for about 3-4 mo- we still listen to the soundtrack on the way to school in the mornings……. The most accurate movie about aspiration in LosAngeles that has ever been made….. a so many levels!!! This movie didn’t change my life like some of the viewers but it sure made me remember it looking back 20 years later…. Your assessment was wonderful….. you are one of the few reviewers i have ever heard/read who combines knowledge of craft with nuance of story impact on viewer…. Which some might say is knowledge of craft…. But they are above/below the line skills…. I am looking forward to perusing more of your insights …… excellent work- My hats off to you !
I like this take. I look at the ending differently. That in life we may have people that are in our lives for a short period of time but make a profound difference. Mia and Seb needed each other to achieve their dreams. So at the point where they were thinking about quitting the other one made sure that they didn’t. In the end they didn’t end up together because in the long run it may have been what was best for each other. But it’s ok they had the profound effect on each other and that can’t be taken away.
after seeing la la land a few times, it finally sunk in that i too can relate to the story. i often think back to choices that could have been made to change the outcome of my life and the person i love’s life. but because of our choices and outside forces, it ended. life could’ve been sweet but it ended with unhappiness and reality. something that started out happy but then warped into disagreement and ultimately separation, a difference of interests and dreams, one being more invested in the relationship than the other, and many other factors similar to la la land’s story. this incredible film tells a story that i believe all of its viewers can relate to and have experienced at one point in their lives.
Very insightful. La La Land is one of my favorite films and I’m amazed at how many layers there are to it. I never fully considered how that epilogue was from Seb’s point of view and how that alternate future depended so much on his decisions.
This was an excellent analysis of one of the greatest endings. I Loved it. I’ll just add that in every ending there is a sacrifice and a personal “death” that occurs for the heroes. Yes, Seb and Mia got what they dreamed for, but a part of them has died inside. The wordless, emotional, dream montage, full of could’ve-beens makes that death even more poignant. The contrast and tension of fun vs loss within those sequences also resonates. My heart drops in that movement when Mia says she doesn’t want to stay for another song. She accepts this loss and can’t do anything about it. She’s not going to run to Seb. She has a husband and more importantly a child. But before she leaves the club she turns as if seeing him for the last time. Seb looks up and that wordless exchange, and that smile of acknowledgement of their shared love and respect for each other says it all. They can look at each other, even with all their flaws, to still say “I love you.” It’s this all important point of acknowledgement (sometimes said outright) that is expressed beautifully in his smile. That bitter sweet last minute gesture, where they both have to dare themselves to look, even at the risk of the other not acknowledging them, has within in it has all the tension and release of an apology to each other that kills me. That smile that acknowledgement is all that makes them flawed, beautiful and human. If Story shows us the way to see our own humanity, this movie does it in spades.
WOW!! this is very well said, good job! I always say that this is one of the greatest movies of all time because of the ending, I keep explaining what you said to people and saying that "A good movie does not give the viewers the ending that they want" i.e. Seb and Mia not ending up together, as well as the idea of showing us what could've been which tbh is my fav scene of the movie and had me almost balling the first time I watched it. One extra point to why this ending is great is because I am personally not a big fan of "happily ever after" movies and it makes it more real and makes you connect to the characters that were "hurt" in some way. God I could go on and on about this haha. Thank you and SUBSCRIBED!
Still one of my favourite movies that I will watch it over and over again. This is how we dream and this is why good movie is so much important in our life and to our growth.
I actually disagree with the reasons you brought up for how Sebastian "fucked up". All along the way he was trying to achieve his dreams - joining the band, for example, was Sebastian's way of pursuing his own dream at the time - reviving Jazz. His friend even says that Jazz is about the future, not about the past, and only through revolutionization can it be saved. That's why, at first, Sebastian joined the band, and actually loved playing there. The rest of the movie is about BOTH characters fulfilling their dreams. The point of the ending is, in my opinion, is that our dreams and ambitions naturally change over time - sometimes they become something new, other times they're realizations about our past. Either way, both characters are finally fulfilled at the end of the movie when they're both chasing their dreams. That's why both characters are happy for each other - that's true love. So all along the movie, Sebastian didn't really make any 'wrong' choices. He was just chasing his dreams, the same way he does at the end of the movie. They both just lived their lives.
what hurts the most imo, is when you break up without any hatred or without each other doing anything wrong, it hurts a lot more i feel like and especially when you still care about them and all i guess, thats my situation on what happened with me
I just recently watched La La Land for the very first time (I know I’m very very late to the party) and it has been stuck on my mind for a week straight. I found myself in awe of this film but particularly the visuals and its ending dreamlike sequence. This thesis was such a beautiful video to watch because it showed me what I was thinking as well. So thank you and well done.
After re-watching the film for a plenty of times I actually got a new idea and meaning from the ending. We see Mia fulfill her dreams with Sebastian, while Seb doesn't fulfill his. He walks into the club as a stranger, not the owner. And while he's happy with Mia, in that moment, she was only thinking about herself and not him fulfilling his dreams. And she couldn't do that without Seb, because he was the one who told her to write her own play and convinced her to audition. But what did she do for him? She gave him an idea for the club that would be successful (the name, the place, and the logo), but that's it. She would never sacrifice her own dreams for him, so why did she expect him to do this?
That’s why I feel like this is a shared fantasy. The first half is Mia imagining what if Seb attended her play and went with her to Paris; he would’ve found work at the Paris jazz clubs and perhaps even opened his own club there, if they decided to settle there. She realizes they could’ve stayed together while pursuing their dreams. But the second half with the home movies and entering the club is Seb imagining what he feels he should’ve done, focus on her and give up his own dream so she could fulfill hers and he could stay with her.
this channel is so underrated wonderful explanation, I suggest you share on Reddit it'll help a lot. I just watched the movie, I can't believe I'm four years late. It feels like I had a memory with someone even though I don't :( it really showed how much you've missed your life. also, the continuity of colors in this movie is amazing
The emotion this movie provoked in me is just beyond expression especially the end. The end is fully packed with loads of meanings and interpretations. I believe the end just makes us understand the impact of choices on our lives and accomplishments. Tbh I believe that at the end Seb wished he had chosen love over accomplishment but he only realised that after accomplishing his goals. Hindsight indeed is 20/20. Mia on her own seemed to have only been 50% happy in her marriage and seeing Seb opened a door that she had kept closed for a long time. In the rewind she kisses Seb after the presentation but in reality she speaks formally with her spouse after the presentation. All these paint an important picture. At the end of the day, the decision we make in the moment seems like the best for us but might not be the best tomorrow. Life will eventually happen to us all.
The greatest part about this movie’s ending is its universality. It’s not saying that they were meant to live a happy life together, in fact it pretty clearly states otherwise. But it absolutely feels like it in that moment in the jazz club. And to anyone who’s had a relationship that felt like it was going to last forever, only to end, you understand how painful it is to feel this montage be ripped away when they look at each other in the club. Anyone who fantasized about the future in a relationship knows that this is a reflection of that fantasizing in a musical and visual sense, the thinking back about what you could’ve done (probably obsessively at that) to fix the relationship is also demonstrated in such an amazing way. The only issue with that happily ever after ending is that it wasn’t within their character. Sebastian wouldn’t have acted that way, because it’s an idealized version of Sebastian and Mia. There wasn’t anything they could do to make that relationship work because it didn’t fit in with their characters. And that’s what hurts the fucking most.
I don’t know if anyone is going to see this but I feel like I had to comment something about this film. I watched it for the first time recently and I haven’t been able to get it out my head - it is a true masterpiece. My interpretation of the ending is one that I’ve come up with as I tried to find a true understanding of it. I believe that the vision of the fantasy world is from Mia’s perspective. I feel like seb has had to deal with/accept moving on in a different way. We see that he walks past a large poster on the way to his jazz club which is something we can presume he does all the time. We also see through the sign of his jazz club that he’s taken a piece of Mia with him on his dream. As she designed the image. Almost accepting that this is the way he has to represent his love for her. However it can be seen that Mia’s way was moving on was different as she has started a family with someone new. It is also implied that she is rarely in LA anymore as she says ‘I don’t miss this’ when in traffic - highlighting the coincidence of her finding his jazz club (mirroring their early relationship as coincidence brought them together). However, when she arrives at the jazz club, we can see a clear and profound reaction. One of almost guilt and an overwhelming rush of emotions, as the first time seb sees her since their separation is with someone new. The horror on her face is only amplified when seb plays ‘their’ song, possibly something he has always planned on doing. We see the life they could’ve had together if things were different. The experiences are with seb instead of her current husband - almost a vision she was longing to have as we can also see the contrast in the way they are sat together in the jazz club. Seb was her true love and she knows it - this deeply affects her. Finally, the last scene of the film shows her stepping into a purple light (the colour of Mia and sebs relationship), almost a final glimpse at their relationship. Seb’s smile (to me) seems like one of reassurance, an acceptance that they did the right thing in order to achieve what they wanted. Her smile back is one of relief, the fact the she can see he is happy brings her peace and provides the final closure that they need. Once again, I’ve probably over thought this but I hope someone can see this and perhaps share this opinon. It is a true masterpiece of a film that I will surely rewatch.
I'm dreaming of a sequel for this movie. 10 years later, a chance encounter at a coffee shop and a walk at Sunset Boulevard ( like the movie, Before Sunset). Reminiscing and telling us viewers where they are at in their life...
In my eyes, I don't think Seb could have had both dreams and love, the point of the ending is him choosing love over dreams, in the sequence, we are shown success that stems from mia, not Sebastian, and that point of was it the right choice is what drives the ending home for me, I don't think la la land is trying to tell us that we can have everything, both love and dreams, but rather, the choice, a commentary on the beauty of both, and I think that's part of the reason for me this ending hit hard, you get to interpret it however you want. Great review, you made some really good points.
This movie will forever be one of the most special movies I‘ve seen in my life. I was abroad at the time and just came out of a very long unhappy relationship and I was sitting in this movie theater in a foreign country with a bunch of people I just met a few weeks ago and I just let myself fall completely into the story of this film. I remember how the music touched me and how perfect the ending felt. For some reason, I will never forget that night. Also: Damien Chazelle is a genius. I recommend everyone to watch his movie Whiplash.
This ending is through the mind of Mia. The montage is her perfect ending not Seb’s. She got her job, Seb never joined the band, he supports her in every way. He follows her to Paris, plays jazz in small clubs. They have a family and as the ending shows they sit in the crowd rather than him owning the club. Owning a club, That was his dream. When her husband asks her if she wants to stay for another, it snaps her out of her dream and she knows that for them to get what they both wanted, they had to be apart. The last looks and smiles was their way of telling each other they are alright and achieved their dreams.
Excellent point! Also, it’s always easier to lament about what we miss out in life and forget about what we get in life by our choices. I left a girl that I loved from my home town ages ago to live my dream and yes as I watched this film, I lamented about her and what we had....but if I had stayed with her, I wouldn’t have experienced my dreams so it’s moot. Can’t have it all!
This is truly a remarkable analysis. You were on point on everything you said. This is how a professional explanation should look like. Honestly, congratulations.
I mostly agree w ur ideas. But I'd argue that the dream epilogue would still never happen, because its cost would be their dreams. First, this is not abt tracing accountability and discerning what one did "wrong" in this relationship -- there's nothing rly "wrong" in life, there're only regrets and opportunity costs. I don't think Sebastian would have chosen the epilogue even given a second chance. The commercial success definitely made substantial monetary support for his club (I mean the grand piano there is a steinway, not to mention the other costs of that club), so his dream wouldn't rly be fulfilled without it. And I think his talent was rly something, and his tours brought so much happiness in those audiences too. In a sense, they didn't loose each other. They wouldn't be both successful in pursuing their dreams if they weren't together and pulled each other through their toughest times. They truly love each other, and I think that's all that matters. A marriage requires more than just love. It requires stability, responsibility, sacrifice, which both of them couldn't rly provide for each other when they started pursuing their dreams. They missed each other, but the amount of good they have done for each other more than makes up for it. Thoughts?
My fav movie quote "all life is, is 4 or 5 big days that change everything" But the ending of this movie makes me realize.. some of us don't even get one of those days..
Michael i am enjoying and appreciating La La Land more with the insight you shared. And your 11:24 minute production is well produced and enjoyable to watch. The only thing I would add, is the message, which you help clarify, is great advice we can all take in our own relationships. Thanks for the reminder !
Wow, i really enjoyed your analysis! You’re really good and you have a clear and calm voice, youre comfortable to listen to. Hope you get more recognition, youre very talented!
I never saw this detail noted anywhere but everytime Mia kisses her bf in the beginning and her husband she always kiss on side of the lip almost just kissing the cheek. The only one she really kisses is Sebastian, thus leading to an unfulfilled love from Mia
One of the subtle details of this movie is "Mia walking through a red light" when something crucial will unfold between her and Sebastian. First was when she enters the club and see Sebastian for the first time play the piano. There chance encounter. Second is the movie theatre, he walks past the light and enters the movie theatre. The confessed love that evening. Third, before entering Seb's Club. She walks through red light holding her husbands hand. They realize what possibility could have been had they stayed together.
I resisted watching this cause I hate musicals, but I can’t recall a better depiction of the fight to be, and maintain, being an Artist and the conflict that is embedded in that journey. Great analysis
No, i disagree, the ending did not show what could have happen, it showed a fantasy. The end montage is showing how both were able to give up things for one another. In reality, relationships dont just work out. Even in the lovely night dance, mia tells seb that maybe theres a reason we keep seeing one another, but the writer chose to include no probably not. Hes criticizing stories always have a happy ending, that everything happens for a reason. but no, la la land chooses to depict a story that is grounded, relationships dont always end well, nothing happens for a reason. The ending montage is to tell the audience that their dream of them ending up together is still a dream and that the real world is not butterflies and rainbows.
So good. I was listening to the soundtrack yesterday and wondered why I hadn't looked up film analysis of La La Land, because it's my favorite movie, and I watch tons of film analysis. Great video, subbed, going to check out your Joker video next
I'm so glad this movie exists: I'm currently halfway through the last month of living with my technically ex-girlfriend of 7 years who I still love very much and who still loves me very much too 😔 She told me at the beginning of the month that she needed her own space to heal herself from early past traumas and at the end of the month she is moving from our townhouse to an apartment 8 minutes away so the drive to see each other isn't too long. We are both on the same page of still loving each other and wanting to hang out with each other after she moves out, we've been living together for the past seven years so I assume cutting off contact cold turkey would be quite a shock for the both of us. Her moving out at all still feels like it will be a bit of a shock. As if it couldn't be any sader, she is my first girlfriend who I fell in love with when I was 21 and really started to come out of my shell. For 6 years I thought I was going to marry her but this last year has been especially hard with Covid causing her to be furloughed and all the extended extra time spent together with me working from home definitely hurt us rather than helped us. With this being my first break up at age 28, all those movies similar to This movie finally make sense to me. It does hurt now but it hurt so much more when she first told me on March 1st. I cried a bit and felt like a weight made of sadness wrapped itself around my heart the first night she told me. Vaped a huge of Ganj, then realized that i only have a month left with the girl I love and I don't want to spend all of it moping around being sad until March 31st. I then told her that I support her decision to move out and March 1st to now has been very bittersweet but still enjoyable. In the morning we are going on our last long Onewheel ride together at Elephant Rock Park where Ive never been before and always wanted to go. I'm so glad I found this movie from a quick "best break up movies" Google search because I felt like it was exactly what I needed. The way they both said how they will always love each so matter of fact is exactly the same way I feel about my soon to be moved out girlfriend. Also so glad that I found this video cause the ending is what really got me. The moments when Seb and Mia initally looked distraught at each other but then mutually happy for each is how I hope my girlfriend and I will feel about each other if we don't get back together again. We have both agreed it's defintely not off the table but I know in my head that it's not something I can wait around forever for. I'm not sure how I'm going to feel after she moves out after 7 years becuase I guess I haven't ever been alone for the past 7 years and it caused me to get too content and unmotative but I hope to learn from this experience. Nervous as fuck but it feels good to have friends coworkers and family that care about the both of us. I only wish that if she ever reads this that hopefully she has healed from her past traumas because she deserves to live one of the best of lives because she is one of the best people alive. PS: Watched this movie tonight and vowed to myself that I will finally get around to planning a vacation to visit my DJ friend in LA to go on Onewheel group rides with my favorite CZcams and Onewheel Celebrities and maybe even meet my Mia of Lala Land.
If I ever find myself in a situation like Sebastian I would definitely give up my dreams to be with the girl. I value that way more than I do pursuing my dreams.
I liked your explanation, it was really interesting to hear and watch. And from now on I will keep the 'Show Dont Tell' in mind. After this video only I contemplated about how huge this idea has a place in filmmaking.
Thank you for your brilliant video. As a writer and novelist, your work is inspiring me. I love to get coaching like this. Your work supercharges my work. I've watched this video twice and I know that I will be going back to it over and over as I write. Your analysis is spot on and the effect of this video and others like it , can only be described as magical. That's right, your video is magical, compelling and very, very much appreciated. Well done, son, well done.
The meaning of the movie is a complete opposite he sacrifices his dream so that Her dream can come true he lets her go because she cannot live in a real world she can only live in La La Land the movie Is about Sebastian and his transition from the La La Land into the real world he gives up on his dream and chooses his love for Mia ....that’s the true meaning the ending scene shows what could be back in the La La Land but he at that point lives in the real world and cannot come back to the La La Land that’s why it’s so powerful it shows a transition from a fantasy world and into the real life ....
Emma stone and Ryan gosling should get the Oscar this year (2024) just for that last nod and little smile at the end. Incredibly subtle acting that moved me like no acting has done before.
I love it so much, I found this great video looking for the ending of La La Land. I just wanted to see it again. This ending is so powerful. Unforgettable really, and sad.
Sometimes people can affect and shape your life in profound ways, and you love them and are eternally grateful for them, even if they're not the person you are meant to be with, and that's ok.
Your are brilliant. This movie really makes us realize how to weigh all our decisions in life. Indeed we cannot have everything in life, we need to sacrifice one priority to the other so it is up to us on how we define and create our life.
i agree with everything but the ending, yes everything that happened in the montage was what "could" have been but there's no way seb and mia both would have been able to meet their career goals if things fell through like how they did in the montage. eg: just because Seb showed up at her play, that doesn't mean all those other people would have too. (its obviously minor but it shows how throughout how there are minor inconsistencies with how life actually would have been). plus, if mia didn't go through the heartbreak of that fight with him (when he returned from tour) or when he didn't show up for her play, she wouldn't have been able to give that specific audition. that heartache taught her the insane drive she has for her craft, it made her introspect and truly understand herself and her roots, if that didn't happen, the audition she would have given would have been completely different and thus shes unlikely to get the part. so while she would have been with seb, she wouldn't have been the actress she was at the end. so its a "la la land" to think that they could have gotten it all because no matter how perfect, they were still not each others "person" - she would have had either him or her career. the term la la land describes a sort of imaginary world - so I would think what the movie is trying to show is reality, that the fake imaginary world where all went right is fake and imaginary for a reason because it just wouldn't have happened. they couldn't have it all with each other, and that's why Mia found it elsewhere and Seb did too (with his career at least) idk that's my interpretation of the movie, I adore it and lmk what your thoughts are.
I am way late to this commentary. I landed here because I just discovered Damien Chazelle - the writer director of La La Land - by watching Babylon first ... My takeaway "You follow - and sacrifice - what you love most". Great films in my opinion and I can see very similar themes in both. The stark difference is this one has the happy ending for the artists whereas its a tragic ending in Babylon. La La Land is light, beautiful. Babylon is dark, hard to watch at times (over the top). Both are about the entertainment industry.
Never knew this would be my most viewed video, but I am absolutely so grateful for the response. Many of you have shared your own romantic journeys, whether they be of happy endings or of loss, and how this film spoke to you in the midst of them. Many of you also have added new analysis, some agreeing with me some disagreeing, both of which have been so engaging and delightful for me to get to read. Thank you for showing me the bright side of CZcams in this comment section. All the best.
Michael Shaw, Watch Vinnaithaandi Varuvaya a tamil movie, a 2010 movie. You should see a similar kind of climax though the story is a bit different with almost similar plot structure.
best analysis for this movie! I love it
I didn't read all of your comments but I really appreciate the editing that went into this video. From the cutting of momentum from the film to your points about critical moments is great. Not to mention the clicks that can be heard as if you are editing real time. Great video about a great film. Well done.
I just found you 😻 wanted to let you know I love your videos and your content is great. Thank you very much I hope to see you continually making videos and sharing your wisdom and other gifts. 🎁 💚
Oh My Goodness, Your detailed experience that you have shared is second to none! I gotta tell ya, I wouldn't have wanted to pause this video because of what
was being said & the voice behind that. Bravo!
I literally married my wife because of this ending. I was emotionally destroyed for a week after walking out the theater, because the ending hit me so hard. My attitude toward love, aspirations/dreams, and "what could be" completely changed, and I've been a better person ever since. This movie changed my life.
How did your attitudes change? If you don’t mind sharing :)
Good ending as to what the other comments say about La La Land. :D
@@stephaniespencer4327 Sorry I'm late! Before the film, I felt like my perspective of the world and my personal relationships were two-dimensional, or as if I had blinders on; I didn't see anything outside of what was right in front of me. I didn't consider how much of an impact even the smallest decisions had on my life, nor did I think I was personally capable of changing the broader outcome of my own life. By considering the bigger "what ifs" in my relationships and career choices, I realized exactly what I wanted my life to be. I could either put in the work to make my current relationship & passions/career work out (both were inherently risky at the time; my Girlfriend was long-distance and career/passion is difficult to find work), or I could "play it safe" and give everything up for an "easier", less interesting life.
From my perspective, although Mia and Sebastian both followed their passions, neither of them really got the love they wanted. They made their choice, but I knew I didn't have to choose. I could do both.
Today I'm a video producer and business owner, and I've been married for almost two years.
And I wouldn't change a single thing.
It's that second chance!!! If it was there before you, would You???
So happy to see the magic of art and the impact this had on your life. A wonderful work by Damien Chazelle.
"If your audience isn't able to argue, just a little bit about the meaning of your story... you haven't written a story. You've written a sermon." Damn.
And, adding to your thesis, I also noticed the fact that Sebastian actually had to walk by a huge poster of Mia's face everyday to get to the club. Which could mean that he had to think of her every time, so I'm sure he had to reflect on what he did wrong and how he would go back and right the wrongs you mentioned. And him playing their theme when Mia was in the club was his way of telling her that he still thinks about her (obviously) instead of going up to her and explaining himself or unloading that possible guilt. That could also explain why the epilogue, hypothetical scenes were really all dictated by his decisions, because the writers made it so that the ideal future would require Sebastian to make different choices and he's had the time, and kind of been forced to, to reflect on it now. Thoughts?
@JohnnyJohnny Gaming totally. It’s an interesting case of two soul mates who equally got in their own way. To say it’s one or the others actions that caused the ‘sad’ ending is not what I felt at all. Then again, the beauty of stories is that everyone has their own experience with it. So no one is wrong. Amazing AMAZING movie.
@DrDexter We don’t know what happened during those 5 years, but it would appear that Seb’s decision to join the band and enjoy commercial success was his final mistake and sacrifice for him to get his club. In the fantasy, he goes with her to Paris which is what he should have done instead of traveling with the band that made him successful but lose her. If he goes to Paris maybe he can only make ends meet, but at least he is still with her and he has to find another way to get the money for the club. There’s more than one way to solve a problem and he chose the easiest way but the one that lost Mia. It’s possible that the two didn’t actually see each other again after she went to Paris and eventually met someone else.
@@jasonleetaiwan well but iirc, he joined the commercial band because he overheard mia and her mother talking on the phone and he wanted to be more suitable one for mia but it kinda backfired so i do t really blame him
@Official Gamer LAD Neither was responsible. When they were on the bench at the observatory, they implicitly acknowledged that each was on the respective path they had set out on before they met. They were both artists, neither of whom could stand to be the justification for compromise or sacrifice of the other's dreams.
@@SuomyOna agreed. I like how u mentioned the cost would be their dream. First, this is not abt tracing accountability and discerning what one did "wrong" in this relationship -- there's nothing rly "wrong" in life, there're only regrets and opportunity costs. I don't think Sebastian would have chosen the epilogue even given a second chance. The commercial success definitely made substantial monetary support for his club (I mean the grand piano there is a steinway, not to mention the other costs of that club), so his dream wouldn't rly be fulfilled without it. And I think his talent was rly something, and his tours brought so much happiness in those audiences too.
In a sense, they didn't loose each other. They wouldn't be both successful in pursuing their dreams if they weren't together and pulled each other through their toughest times. They truly love each other, and I think that's all that matters. A marriage requires more than just love. It requires stability, responsibility, sacrifice, which both of them couldn't rly provide for each other when they started pursuing their dreams.
They missed each other, but the amount of good they have done for each other more than makes up for it.
Idk if y’all noticed but in the last keys he’s playing, the last note that’s supposed to culminate all of the notes of the song, he doesn’t play it. It might be a stretch but to me I’ve always seen it as if that dream was never completed, it never came to be. Therefore there is no ending to his song/dream because there was never completion in it.
FINALLY SOMEONE WHO NOTICED IT. OH LORD! YOUR COMMENT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I GOT THE LAST KEY! PHEW! THANKS BUDDY 😭❤️
True. I kept waiting for it. Poignant.
I took this girl to watch this movie back whenever it came out..even though we only dated for a little while, I liked a her a lot..when the movie got to the ending scene the theater was extremely quite.. It felt like time almost stood still and that the air was sucked out of the room..I took a look at her; she was intently looking at the screen so she didn't notice me..I knew that what was happening on the screen at that moment, was us..I knew we would end eventually..she had gotten out of a 4 year relationship not to long before we started dating..and then there was me; a perpetual self sabotager..I didn't hear from her for almost a year, when a friend of mine told me that she had gotten engaged..she's pregnant now. Every now and then I think about her, not with any regrets. Just the memories of what we had for that little while..I'm happy she found someone that truly made her happy.
No one has replied to this and Im shocked. So here you go. This ending is amazing and quite frankly life changing. Your comment, is also making me think. The people we had (ex bf or ex gf) should not be looked at as "i hate them". They made us grow and they made us confront possible insecurities we had. We will never meet, but I hope you find someone and I wish you the best.
Hi. I just read your comment and I really connected with your story, the same way I felt about the ending epilogue of La La Land. Just because two people did not end up together does not erase the precious little moments that happened between them. I did not quite understand this upon my first viewing experience but last November I briefly dated someone that's kind, humorous, extremely respectful of my boundaries, and exercised manner and self-control in a way that made me feel really safe. I am kind of a fatalist when it comes to relationships but at that time I felt like that person and I could be something for a really long time. And later on, it might have been the long-distance or something else but we just stopped feeling that way toward each other, no particular reason why. I still sometimes remember moments that we had shared together but it was not with disappointment or resentment the way I thought of him, but rather just grateful that it happened and how he and I shared a magical few dates. I think people like this who exist in short little snippets of memories you will always remember and they will always sort of be with you in some way. The way he treated me, inspired me and helped me grow will always stay with me, and I will always love him (maybe not love but that's a quote that really hit me in the movie). So I watched the movie from start to finish again earlier this year and I think I discovered new things about the film and myself and what the director was trying to say. BTW I really felt the "...and then there was me; a perpetual self sabotager...", I hope you're doing better now and feeling better about yourself. I'm happy that you feel happy that she feels happy. I hope you find someone who truly makes you happy soon too, if you haven't already :). Have a nice day.
Is Jackson and Ailura competes each other for KZ ?????
Story of my life
@@BismillahJannah *Audrey
While the ending ripped my heart out, I loved the way they smiled at each other indicating that they were both happy for each other.
Yes, that was the main point of the movie. Very rare to see a positive spin on a relationship that didn’t work out.
I'm late to the party but I have just watched this movie for the first time. Wow, that ending. What has gotten to me the most is the body language and interaction contrast between Mia and her husband vs. Mia with Sebastian in the fantasy ending. You can clearly see that the husband's a decent guy and Mia's content. But then look how she's draped all over Sebastian (at the table in the jazz club, as an example) compared to with her husband in the real world (they're not holding hands or even leaning toward each other). I mean, YIKES.
One day you can think you have it all, but then it hits you maybe you actually missed something VERY important, and it'll make you feel like the emptiest soul in the world.
So pretty much mia really loved sebastian
Some people fall in love and never again and most people just settle
I don't know if I would read too much into that. If we saw more of Mia's life with her husband, maybe we could make that judgement. However, no couple in love is draped all over each other all of the time. That doesn't mean that they aren't extremely happy.
@@misspriss2482 personally I see there is a huge contrast between how she is around her husband and how she is w seb in those scenes so I think that’s a massive hint there.
@@jq-10 especially when they show Seb and Mia as husband as wife - totally agree with u :)
I was in tears 3 separate times watching the ending, never been emotionally impacted by a film like that before, amazing, absolutely amazing, it still resonates with me to this day
Great video! I think you missed one important part, though. Yes, Seb could have made it work with Mia. Yes, we see all the ways it still could have worked out, but the importance appears at the very end, when Mia is walking with Seb to the jazz club. It is not HIS jazz club. It shows that yes, they made it work. Yes, Mia achieved her dream, but Seb did not achieve his dream. His goal and dream was to create the jazz bar. In the real ending, we see him happy that they both achieved their dreams, but in the epilogue, we see that he had to sacrifice his dream to make hers happen. Only one of their dreams was achieved. One of them needed to make the sacrifice.
Or Seb decided to make a jazz bar instead in France.
@@lukethekuya he can't, he tells us that he needs pain to make jazz. she, in essence helped with his dream just as he did when he dragged her back to acting. thats why the smile at the end. they both acknowlege it.
@@jakemallory4239 Ah I see. :D
This! I've been re-watching the movie for the fifth time today and noticed this. Seb would never let Mia sacrifice her dream for his, so why is she fantasizing about him sacrificing his dream? Maybe Seb is really better off without her! I was still crying during the entire movie though
This movie is great because it showcases the brutal reality everyone of us has to face everytime we have to make a choice. In life we meet certain people who help us realise our goals and who give that one little push we need for us to chase our dreams but we may not have them around us to celebrate our successes. Dreams always require us to make sacrifices. Both Seb and Mia knew that their love was a hurdle in their road to achieve their respective dreams. Even though both were deeply in love with each other they knew that they had to let the other go so that he/she can achieve his/her dream. That is what is called being 'truly selfless'.
Although I do believe that Mia is very much in love with her husband, I cant help but to think that the long glance and smile that they shared was anything to be overlooked. Both on the brink of tears of joy to even be able to see each other (especially to see that they are both accomplished) but I also believe there is a great deal of regret behind both of their eyes. Seb especially seemed the most taken back by the whole situation. He seemed a little drunk and he seemed like he spent most of his time at his club with no sort of responsibility or commitment to a family or any partner. Mia also took it very hard and became very uncomfortable with her husband asking if she would like to stay, there was a reason for this. Last thing she wanted was for there to be any chance that she would have to be stuck in the middle of a conversation with her husband and her soulmate. She knew that Seb was the one that was meant to be for her and her for him. I took this ending to be very sad and not happy at all. I think it was nice for them to remember the memories they shared and the smile indicated that they both remember and that they feel the same way. I also do feel that the remorse was overbearing for the both of them and they began to realize that even though they got everything the wanted at the beginning (his bar, her career) they didnt get to have each other, and thats whats the most heartbreaking.
I always thought this was definitely Sebastian’s fantasy. I always got from the ending that he was the one that kept dreaming about Mia until that night he saw her and the “fantasy” was an expression of his lasting feelings. You see them driving to the club instead of her husband. I kind of felt a lot of people missed that. It was like to say he would have rather have had them go to a club together that night than for him to even have fulfilled his own dream (his escalation of thoughts) That’s why you hear the out of tune piano and see feel that jolt back into their reality of separation. It was his final thought there. He would have given his dream up for her. The out of tune piano symbolizes that thing that isn’t right in his life. The road definitely too me symbolizes his desire to have made a different decision... but when he smiles at her, he finally accepts his dream and is happy her life was fulfilled as well.
Idk if you noticed but in the last keys he’s playing, the last note that’s supposed to culminate all of the notes of the song, he doesn’t play it. It might be a stretch but to me I’ve always seen it as if that dream was never completed, it never came to be. Therefore there is no ending to his song/dream because there was never completion in it.
@@brianrodriguez9276 I always thought that the last note not being played was a nod to him not wanting the dream of the two of them being together with to end. Had he played that final note, it would have been a culmination to their combined dream, yet they find that it had to either be their separate dreams in the arts or the dream of sticking together through everything.
The final moment when they regard each other make me breathless
I do agree with what you 're saying, quite honestly, but I must say I believe the ending is about that dream that both characters wanted so deeply to have happened instead of the cruel reality that awaited for them in order to accomplish their ideal careers.. The thing is, however, that dream of theirs ( a.k.a. staying together AND pursuing their favourable jobs), is not something that could ever exist... So, I think the ending is not reffering to another possibility or ''what could 've happened'', but just an ideal, utopic world where everything would have gone smoothly and -just like in every cliché Hollywood movie- perfect for both of them. Btw that's just another perspective. I 100% see eye to eye with you. Plz don't come for me. Thanks for ur existence. Great video.
Anna A. I love this take on it. Yeah, the idea that it’s an idealized vision makes TOTAL sense. Might be too optimistic to say it “could have” happened. This really made me think; thanks for your thoughts!
@@TheHobbyistMagic Thanks for replying!! Really enjoyed ur video!
Yo, I'm late but I think it lies in between what could have happened and what "should" have (the ideal). I view it as Sebastians offlering of how he retrospectively should have embraced every moment with Mia. That is represented in the kiss.
On a personal thought level, I would contend though that an even more powerful message the ending delivers is the importance of the contentedness of Mia and Seb. They can share these memories and thoughts of what should have been, but bearing that in mind Mia still leaves the club with her husband, without even talking to Seb. And Seb is happy with the dream he persued and achieved too. In fact I view the contrast of the ending montage and the "true end" as a way of respecting the relationship they had for what it was. Their relationship was in fact the Second act of both of their greater stories. Not the first or third acts, but the second. Equally important but leading towards something more.
I actually had this thought for so long. I saw the movie when it came out in theaters and I’ve loved it from that point. And always thought that your take was the take on the movie. But I love this CZcams video’s take on it as well.
@Sarah Stenske oh my goodness I totally agree. I love your thinking!!! The ending montage is referring to how for them to be together Mia wanted Sebastian to be what he wasn’t, and if he was her ideal person he wouldn’t be Sebastian. That was the emotional reason for why they couldn’t stay together. All things considered, I love how many different views and opinions this movie inspires. You can tell a lot about the person watching it based on how they perceive it.
Man, I felt really sad myself after re-watching the clip today, but this breakdown really made me reflect on the things I've missed out on in my life. I wish I had the talent you have to put this together, way to go.
Thanks for the comment. I can relate! I hope there are good things for you to come in the future
But as a counter point, what about the things you gained by your decisions? It always easier to lament on the things we missed out on. Sure they could have stayed together but perhaps would never have had the success at the end. As The Rolling Stones sang “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”.
@@ericlind6581 classic paradox lol. logic vs. human nature
Interesting. While I'm a broadcast journalist and not a screenwriter I can't argue with the main premise which you argue very well. What fascinated me and what brought home why the end scene is so powerful for audiences of many ages is the meaning. For younger people perhaps you see the cautionary tale, "I can't let this happen to me, mustn't miss my chance at true love!" For an older man the power in the wistful scene was the very last moment when they both have that brief moment of acknowledgement on their faces. "I see you" that sad smile. "I remember you." Nothing more could be said or needed to be said. Not all choices can be taken, not all paths were meant to be. No decision comes without consequence. We all could only make decisions with the wisdom we had at the time we made them. While we can imagine what we would have done better, we can only do so from the greater knowledge we have from the perspective of this time, so we do a disservice to those younger selves if we hold them in contempt. The genius of the scene in the end was the simplicity and power and the acting of those expressions, those smiles as they turned away from each other. A lifetime missed and accepted in that brief moment. That was the triumph of the entire movie. The very definition of bittersweet.
I watched this movie Over Xmas with my kids (9 and 12) and i can only say thank you for putting into words what I have thought since then. We all loved the movie and all took different things from it. I had exactly that older person response of bittersweet and it really is the perfect description. Thank you.
We met in high school doing research at MIT. We slow danced in a dorm room the day we met in the deep hours of the night to Bennie and the Jets and we watched Good Will Hunting, both of our favorite movie now. I think both of us knew that night that what we had was going to be love and a great one for that matter. We parted ways after this program, back to our homes in Atlanta and Michigan. But, something within us compelled us to stay in touch. Much like Mia and Sebastian, we helped each other get to our dreams: And, I got into Upenn and him Harvard just months later, much thanks to the help we provided each other every day applying to colleges. We spent the next almost year taking trips to visit each other across the country for weekends. I even surprised him for his 18th birthday by collaborating with his parents. I had always hoped we would end up at the same college, but we didn't. And, right before college, we made the decision to break up. It's been two years since I met him and not a day goes by where I don't think about him. Seeing this movie makes me understand how the greatest loves of our life come to teach us and help us grow. We left our relationship saying we'd love each other for ever, and it's true, I love him to this day. I know he was my soulmate. I hope I have another soulmate in the future. I'm only 18. But, if I dont find any greater love, something deep down inside of me hopes it's still him one day.
You should try to find him, you are only 18 but trust me life is too short not to be with your loved one.
I personally believe that although it shows that love and dreams can be achieved together, Sebastian and Mia wouldn’t change their outcome for the “La La Land” if given the chance. They loved each other yet they still were so lost on finding who they were and it was very difficult to avoid the immense turmoil in the relationship. In the club, they both share a look knowing that they will love each other forever, but they don’t try to speak because they have no regrets. I believe the movie speaks to the many people who have the one person they loved the most but don’t regret having parted ways with them, because the dream pursuit ending is still a happy ending.
Exactly!! It’s easy to lament over what we lost in the past...but what about all we gained by our choices. One can’t have it all in life.
Yes! And I also love that we see Mia full of regrets first, but then she realizes that Seb would be entering a random club with her, and not owning the place. So that's why she's so sad at the end. She knows he would never make it if he went to Paris with her
You can tell this movie is art, because there are so, so many lenses and tools with which you can examine this SINGLE scene, to try to explain why it has so strongly moved many thousands of people. To me, this scene is the best executed living example of crisp, powerful, and beautiful juxtaposition. Through the familiar piano trill of the main theme, we are treated to a dreamlike whirlwind of color, beauty, triumph, and love… the “happily ever after” that fuels Hollywood (ie; the first scene), and we get happily -lost- in it, carried away deeper and deeper into a world that is more and more abstracted from reality, but we don’t c a r e - they’re happy, we’re happy. Where it hurts most is at the pinnacle of the Hollywood-esque conclusion to this happy dream, we wake up from our La La Land into a reality where our grown-up lives are a series of decisions and trade offs and compromises, full of painful lessons learned, regrets that thrive on hindsight, and that bitter, bitter taste of “what could have been.”
But that final glance between the two of them is what sells the movie- and makes it a love letter to Hollywood, and to all of us who dream, but have been brought back to reality time and time again. It is the opening scene, played out in reprise:
“and when they let you down // another morning rolls around // its another day of sun”. - La La Land (2016)
Here’s to those who dream~
I feel this represents how of lot of Millennials feel about their lives and careers. It resonated with me when I saw it at 26 and it still does. Great analysis!
Brilliant analysis! , you really went in-depth to pick out everything no one else noticed and the idea of they could’ve been successful and lived their dream while still being together if they had sacrificed personal greed is amazing. You honestly made me like and understand the end and it’s powerful message, this video deserves more than it’s owed
Second this! Amazing job.
Well, not their dream, Mia's dream. In Mia's fantasy, Seb never opened his club.
I first watched this movie in theaters before moving aboard to study and it didn't really had much impact on me as I have never really dated anyone before so I didn't know the feeling. A couple of years later I meet the love of my life. A girl that change everything. As someone who has been alone all the time she came and flip the coin per say. At first I was afraid of falling deeply in love but eventually I did. She showed me that broken people can love and I never felt more happy and in peace. But my insecurities started and after a year she took the decision it was better for us to split up. I agreed at some point but living without her was as painful as it can get. I remember though that the night I asked her to be my girlfriend I made her watch La La Land. And while she was cleaning up the tears I lean on towards her and said "Would you like to write the happy ending with me? Would you be my girlfriend?". A couple months after we've split I noticed she was holding hands and kissing somebody else in the bus station and I broke, quite literally. I started doing poorly with my studies and grades, my mental and physical health went down to the point my friends gather to talk me down the idea of leaving. Throughout the months we would meet and keep a toxic relationship if you will, on which we would say we still love each other only for her to go back to the other guy and me to go even more down the hole. I couldn't bear it anymore. Watching the girl I still love with someone else. I planted this idea in my head that she would be better with him, you see I am an only child with just my mother and the stupid idea of studying film and becoming a film director/writer. This guy was from a rich family studying medicine and was able to give her everything I couldn't. I ended up moving with my best friend back to the US but in the flight I encountered a file on my laptop. "La la land". And then it hit me. It made me cry like a little boy not because the movie is just perfect but I could relate. I would give everything to be with her. I would give everything to write the happy ending.
Wow. You can do this, Jose. I don't know in what place you are right now, but here's my story: when I watched the movie for the first time, I was deeply in love with my ex. We split up because of long distance and because we were both busy with fulfilling our dreams. Then we met accidentally one day applying to the same uni and there was this moment of acknowledgement and sad nod. After 4 years, I have met the love of my life. He is my everything and when I re-watch La La Land now, I picture him in Seb's place. We make each other's dreams come true, and we stay together although it's hard sometimes. This movie has taught me not to let him go, and I won't. You will meet someone who will come in her place and who will be your true Mia with whom you will stay and be yourself, and be successful. I wish you lots of love ❤️
Oh, you summarized this beautifully! I always feel annoyed when people say “she should have chosen him/why did she marry that other guy/she should have waited for Seb”. It’s not about her not choosing him, it’s about him not choosing her. She moved on and had a happy life. He didn’t move on, because of his regrets.
While I agree with you, that was not the only reason. You can see in Mia's fantasy that there is no place for Seb to fulfill his dream. He is entering the club not as the owner, but as a guest. Mia understands this at the end, that is why she is sadly smiling and nodding to Seb.
@@julial4569 Hooooly cow your comment made me understand so much thanks
Obviously, he moved on because he has his club. She got to quit her job and write her play because he took the Job with Keith. By the way, he told her he was staying in LA and that she should go to Paris. He also says to wait to see what the future holds. She wouldn't have gotten the offer without him taking it to her and actually talking her into doing it. He could have gone to Paris with her, but that was her dream not his. I'm not sure he regretted anything, if she is a star, he would have known about her getting married and having a kid.
This movie kicked me while I was down. I lost love like this and it made me relive it. It's powerful
This video is crazy good I can't believe you don't have more views!
This absolutely means a ton, thank you!
It was a cold ending. Mia could have at least congratulated Seb and introduced her husband to Seb. Made me sad at the end.
Description of the movie on STARZ/Crave:
"Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart."
It's good to see they did the analysis in the description...
I have a different opinion though. Just my thought, and I'm just a student so idk if it's right.
I love how this scenario of Mia and Seb is so beautiful, so perfect yet also shows us how impossible that would be. It's impossible for the restaurant manager not to yell at Seb and welcome them like that, or for Mia's performance to be so warmly applauded ( it was her first play). However, only when the manager forgives Seb would he saw Mia that night and not rudely bumped into her. Only when Mia's play had been successful and Seb hadn't missed the play would she not be so disappointed and they not have a fight.
The scenario is the only way for their "happy ever after", and as it's impossible, it's also impossible for them to work. Although I love the "happily ever after" kind of thing, this ending reminds me of the reality- that love is sometimes not enough.
Some might say it's not impossible. Maybe Seb could have put Mia above himself, and kissed her at the restaurant, talked to her about joining the band, showed up at her show, and then they would have their "happy ever after". However, we couldn't ask for someone to sacrifice and put his own feeling aside for his love. After all, his actions are the consequences of his personality. If he chooses not to, then I shall respect the character and say that the opposite scenery is impossible to happen.
Love the movie so much, and I mean it more than ever
Not my usual genre of film but I fell in love with La La Land, was incredible and that ending was nothing short of perfect. Great analysis on this and so surprised this hasn't got more attention. Couldn't be more right with Show Don't tell as well, easy to say but hard to put into practice, but when it is it makes a great film
I absolutely never write any comments on CZcams. But I just watched La La Land for the first time 24 hours ago and it’s absolutely beautiful. In my opinion, it’s a perfect movie. The film has been out so long I knew to expect a sad ending, but absolutely nothing in the world could’ve prepared me for the emotions this movie would be bring. This movie is a masterpiece and a work of art and I cannot wait to rewatch it and discover new things. I’ve never felt so impacted by a movie. The music, cinematography, the performances, everything was flawless and so captivating. I cannot believe how long it took me to watch this work of art.
Amazing, you really have a future as CZcamsr.
Thank you so much!
Siempré
I really hope so. He's not getting attention that he deserves 😟
I saw it more like they both at first needed each other to get to their dreams, she needed his support and he needed her for inspiration. That's what I love about this movie It's so close to reality that sometimes this is what happens, people pass by our lives to push us to achieve something then they disappear. It's not always happy endings but instead it's one of those steps we had to go through to get to where we're meant to. We always dream and fantasize which the movie focuses on, but most likely it doesn't turn out to be the reality.
Plus they were toxic to each other, I guess if they stayed together they would've never achieved their dreams, or at least one of them and of course they wouldn't be happy.
As much as they would've never made it without each other. They needed to be in each other's life but just temporarily. You get me? It's that one step of our path that would've been missing to realizing our dream.
i noticed one thing; this movie gave me more peace and hope about love and all those things rather than romcoms that straight-up give a happy ending, not that there is anything wrong with happy endings but this ending to me make feel less alone and that everything will be okay
I lived in LA for 20 years- moved their with a record deal with MCA Universal in the 90’s- when this movie came out - my daughter 6 at the time and i - watched it daily for about 3-4 mo- we still listen to the soundtrack on the way to school in the mornings……. The most accurate movie about aspiration in LosAngeles that has ever been made….. a so many levels!!!
This movie didn’t change my life like some of the viewers but it sure made me remember it looking back 20 years later….
Your assessment was wonderful….. you are one of the few reviewers i have ever heard/read who combines knowledge of craft with nuance of story impact on viewer…. Which some might say is knowledge of craft…. But they are above/below the line skills….
I am looking forward to perusing more of your insights …… excellent work- My hats off to you !
I like this take. I look at the ending differently. That in life we may have people that are in our lives for a short period of time but make a profound difference.
Mia and Seb needed each other to achieve their dreams. So at the point where they were thinking about quitting the other one made sure that they didn’t. In the end they didn’t end up together because in the long run it may have been what was best for each other.
But it’s ok they had the profound effect on each other and that can’t be taken away.
after seeing la la land a few times, it finally sunk in that i too can relate to the story. i often think back to choices that could have been made to change the outcome of my life and the person i love’s life. but because of our choices and outside forces, it ended. life could’ve been sweet but it ended with unhappiness and reality. something that started out happy but then warped into disagreement and ultimately separation, a difference of interests and dreams, one being more invested in the relationship than the other, and many other factors similar to la la land’s story. this incredible film tells a story that i believe all of its viewers can relate to and have experienced at one point in their lives.
Very insightful. La La Land is one of my favorite films and I’m amazed at how many layers there are to it. I never fully considered how that epilogue was from Seb’s point of view and how that alternate future depended so much on his decisions.
This was an excellent analysis of one of the greatest endings. I Loved it. I’ll just add that in every ending there is a sacrifice and a personal “death” that occurs for the heroes. Yes, Seb and Mia got what they dreamed for, but a part of them has died inside. The wordless, emotional, dream montage, full of could’ve-beens makes that death even more poignant. The contrast and tension of fun vs loss within those sequences also resonates. My heart drops in that movement when Mia says she doesn’t want to stay for another song. She accepts this loss and can’t do anything about it. She’s not going to run to Seb. She has a husband and more importantly a child. But before she leaves the club she turns as if seeing him for the last time. Seb looks up and that wordless exchange, and that smile of acknowledgement of their shared love and respect for each other says it all. They can look at each other, even with all their flaws, to still say “I love you.” It’s this all important point of acknowledgement (sometimes said outright) that is expressed beautifully in his smile. That bitter sweet last minute gesture, where they both have to dare themselves to look, even at the risk of the other not acknowledging them, has within in it has all the tension and release of an apology to each other that kills me. That smile that acknowledgement is all that makes them flawed, beautiful and human. If Story shows us the way to see our own humanity, this movie does it in spades.
WOW!! this is very well said, good job! I always say that this is one of the greatest movies of all time because of the ending, I keep explaining what you said to people and saying that "A good movie does not give the viewers the ending that they want" i.e. Seb and Mia not ending up together, as well as the idea of showing us what could've been which tbh is my fav scene of the movie and had me almost balling the first time I watched it.
One extra point to why this ending is great is because I am personally not a big fan of "happily ever after" movies and it makes it more real and makes you connect to the characters that were "hurt" in some way.
God I could go on and on about this haha. Thank you and SUBSCRIBED!
Still one of my favourite movies that I will watch it over and over again. This is how we dream and this is why good movie is so much important in our life and to our growth.
Great video! I think a really underrated scene in the film is when Seb screams NO! at Mia when she doubts herself about the audition
I actually disagree with the reasons you brought up for how Sebastian "fucked up". All along the way he was trying to achieve his dreams - joining the band, for example, was Sebastian's way of pursuing his own dream at the time - reviving Jazz. His friend even says that Jazz is about the future, not about the past, and only through revolutionization can it be saved. That's why, at first, Sebastian joined the band, and actually loved playing there.
The rest of the movie is about BOTH characters fulfilling their dreams. The point of the ending is, in my opinion, is that our dreams and ambitions naturally change over time - sometimes they become something new, other times they're realizations about our past. Either way, both characters are finally fulfilled at the end of the movie when they're both chasing their dreams. That's why both characters are happy for each other - that's true love.
So all along the movie, Sebastian didn't really make any 'wrong' choices. He was just chasing his dreams, the same way he does at the end of the movie. They both just lived their lives.
what hurts the most imo, is when you break up without any hatred or without each other doing anything wrong, it hurts a lot more i feel like and especially when you still care about them and all i guess, thats my situation on what happened with me
Sometimes one good conversation can change your entire life, what an amazing video!
MY GOD, FINALLY SOMEONE PUT IN WORDS WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS MOVIE. THANK YOU
I just recently watched La La Land for the very first time (I know I’m very very late to the party) and it has been stuck on my mind for a week straight. I found myself in awe of this film but particularly the visuals and its ending dreamlike sequence. This thesis was such a beautiful video to watch because it showed me what I was thinking as well. So thank you and well done.
After re-watching the film for a plenty of times I actually got a new idea and meaning from the ending. We see Mia fulfill her dreams with Sebastian, while Seb doesn't fulfill his. He walks into the club as a stranger, not the owner. And while he's happy with Mia, in that moment, she was only thinking about herself and not him fulfilling his dreams. And she couldn't do that without Seb, because he was the one who told her to write her own play and convinced her to audition. But what did she do for him? She gave him an idea for the club that would be successful (the name, the place, and the logo), but that's it. She would never sacrifice her own dreams for him, so why did she expect him to do this?
That’s why I feel like this is a shared fantasy. The first half is Mia imagining what if Seb attended her play and went with her to Paris; he would’ve found work at the Paris jazz clubs and perhaps even opened his own club there, if they decided to settle there. She realizes they could’ve stayed together while pursuing their dreams. But the second half with the home movies and entering the club is Seb imagining what he feels he should’ve done, focus on her and give up his own dream so she could fulfill hers and he could stay with her.
this channel is so underrated
wonderful explanation, I suggest you share on Reddit it'll help a lot.
I just watched the movie, I can't believe I'm four years late.
It feels like I had a memory with someone even though I don't :(
it really showed how much you've missed your life.
also, the continuity of colors in this movie is amazing
This analysis was incredible! Great job!!!
The emotion this movie provoked in me is just beyond expression especially the end. The end is fully packed with loads of meanings and interpretations.
I believe the end just makes us understand the impact of choices on our lives and accomplishments. Tbh I believe that at the end Seb wished he had chosen love over accomplishment but he only realised that after accomplishing his goals. Hindsight indeed is 20/20.
Mia on her own seemed to have only been 50% happy in her marriage and seeing Seb opened a door that she had kept closed for a long time. In the rewind she kisses Seb after the presentation but in reality she speaks formally with her spouse after the presentation.
All these paint an important picture. At the end of the day, the decision we make in the moment seems like the best for us but might not be the best tomorrow.
Life will eventually happen to us all.
Posted a day before my birthday, too! Excellent analysis. I'd love to see more of your take on La La Land!
The greatest part about this movie’s ending is its universality. It’s not saying that they were meant to live a happy life together, in fact it pretty clearly states otherwise. But it absolutely feels like it in that moment in the jazz club. And to anyone who’s had a relationship that felt like it was going to last forever, only to end, you understand how painful it is to feel this montage be ripped away when they look at each other in the club. Anyone who fantasized about the future in a relationship knows that this is a reflection of that fantasizing in a musical and visual sense, the thinking back about what you could’ve done (probably obsessively at that) to fix the relationship is also demonstrated in such an amazing way.
The only issue with that happily ever after ending is that it wasn’t within their character. Sebastian wouldn’t have acted that way, because it’s an idealized version of Sebastian and Mia. There wasn’t anything they could do to make that relationship work because it didn’t fit in with their characters. And that’s what hurts the fucking most.
"No Jamal... You be trippin
👁️👄👁️"
I don’t know if anyone is going to see this but I feel like I had to comment something about this film. I watched it for the first time recently and I haven’t been able to get it out my head - it is a true masterpiece.
My interpretation of the ending is one that I’ve come up with as I tried to find a true understanding of it. I believe that the vision of the fantasy world is from Mia’s perspective.
I feel like seb has had to deal with/accept moving on in a different way. We see that he walks past a large poster on the way to his jazz club which is something we can presume he does all the time. We also see through the sign of his jazz club that he’s taken a piece of Mia with him on his dream. As she designed the image. Almost accepting that this is the way he has to represent his love for her.
However it can be seen that Mia’s way was moving on was different as she has started a family with someone new. It is also implied that she is rarely in LA anymore as she says ‘I don’t miss this’ when in traffic - highlighting the coincidence of her finding his jazz club (mirroring their early relationship as coincidence brought them together).
However, when she arrives at the jazz club, we can see a clear and profound reaction. One of almost guilt and an overwhelming rush of emotions, as the first time seb sees her since their separation is with someone new. The horror on her face is only amplified when seb plays ‘their’ song, possibly something he has always planned on doing. We see the life they could’ve had together if things were different. The experiences are with seb instead of her current husband - almost a vision she was longing to have as we can also see the contrast in the way they are sat together in the jazz club. Seb was her true love and she knows it - this deeply affects her.
Finally, the last scene of the film shows her stepping into a purple light (the colour of Mia and sebs relationship), almost a final glimpse at their relationship. Seb’s smile (to me) seems like one of reassurance, an acceptance that they did the right thing in order to achieve what they wanted. Her smile back is one of relief, the fact the she can see he is happy brings her peace and provides the final closure that they need.
Once again, I’ve probably over thought this but I hope someone can see this and perhaps share this opinon. It is a true masterpiece of a film that I will surely rewatch.
I'm dreaming of a sequel for this movie. 10 years later, a chance encounter at a coffee shop and a walk at Sunset Boulevard ( like the movie, Before Sunset). Reminiscing and telling us viewers where they are at in their life...
When I watch this film. I always want to cry. I can`t explain the feeling. Even listening to music, brings hot tears
In my eyes, I don't think Seb could have had both dreams and love, the point of the ending is him choosing love over dreams, in the sequence, we are shown success that stems from mia, not Sebastian, and that point of was it the right choice is what drives the ending home for me, I don't think la la land is trying to tell us that we can have everything, both love and dreams, but rather, the choice, a commentary on the beauty of both, and I think that's part of the reason for me this ending hit hard, you get to interpret it however you want. Great review, you made some really good points.
This movie will forever be one of the most special movies I‘ve seen in my life. I was abroad at the time and just came out of a very long unhappy relationship and I was sitting in this movie theater in a foreign country with a bunch of people I just met a few weeks ago and I just let myself fall completely into the story of this film. I remember how the music touched me and how perfect the ending felt. For some reason, I will never forget that night. Also: Damien Chazelle is a genius. I recommend everyone to watch his movie Whiplash.
This ending is through the mind of Mia. The montage is her perfect ending not Seb’s. She got her job, Seb never joined the band, he supports her in every way. He follows her to Paris, plays jazz in small clubs. They have a family and as the ending shows they sit in the crowd rather than him owning the club. Owning a club, That was his dream. When her husband asks her if she wants to stay for another, it snaps her out of her dream and she knows that for them to get what they both wanted, they had to be apart. The last looks and smiles was their way of telling each other they are alright and achieved their dreams.
Excellent point! Also, it’s always easier to lament about what we miss out in life and forget about what we get in life by our choices. I left a girl that I loved from my home town ages ago to live my dream and yes as I watched this film, I lamented about her and what we had....but if I had stayed with her, I wouldn’t have experienced my dreams so it’s moot. Can’t have it all!
Bingo, well said!
Yes yes
Great video.
I watched this film yesterday for the first time and I feel that I've missed out. It moved me on another level I wasn't ready for
This is truly a remarkable analysis. You were on point on everything you said. This is how a professional explanation should look like. Honestly, congratulations.
I mostly agree w ur ideas. But I'd argue that the dream epilogue would still never happen, because its cost would be their dreams. First, this is not abt tracing accountability and discerning what one did "wrong" in this relationship -- there's nothing rly "wrong" in life, there're only regrets and opportunity costs. I don't think Sebastian would have chosen the epilogue even given a second chance. The commercial success definitely made substantial monetary support for his club (I mean the grand piano there is a steinway, not to mention the other costs of that club), so his dream wouldn't rly be fulfilled without it. And I think his talent was rly something, and his tours brought so much happiness in those audiences too.
In a sense, they didn't loose each other. They wouldn't be both successful in pursuing their dreams if they weren't together and pulled each other through their toughest times. They truly love each other, and I think that's all that matters. A marriage requires more than just love. It requires stability, responsibility, sacrifice, which both of them couldn't rly provide for each other when they started pursuing their dreams.
They missed each other, but the amount of good they have done for each other more than makes up for it.
Thoughts?
I would also add: Music can speak louder than words.
I agree with the video though.
Fantastic video. Incredibly insightful, thorough and well-presented. Your analysis is on the nail!
My fav movie quote "all life is, is 4 or 5 big days that change everything" But the ending of this movie makes me realize.. some of us don't even get one of those days..
Or maybe don't take them
Michael i am enjoying and appreciating La La Land more with the insight you shared. And your 11:24 minute production is well produced and enjoyable to watch. The only thing I would add, is the message, which you help clarify, is great advice we can all take in our own relationships. Thanks for the reminder !
Wow, i really enjoyed your analysis! You’re really good and you have a clear and calm voice, youre comfortable to listen to. Hope you get more recognition, youre very talented!
I appreciate the kind words!
I never saw this detail noted anywhere but everytime Mia kisses her bf in the beginning and her husband she always kiss on side of the lip almost just kissing the cheek.
The only one she really kisses is Sebastian, thus leading to an unfulfilled love from Mia
Fabulous video, nice take on this amazing musical, thank you for sharing it 🌷
One of the subtle details of this movie is "Mia walking through a red light" when something crucial will unfold between her and Sebastian. First was when she enters the club and see Sebastian for the first time play the piano. There chance encounter. Second is the movie theatre, he walks past the light and enters the movie theatre. The confessed love that evening. Third, before entering Seb's Club. She walks through red light holding her husbands hand. They realize what possibility could have been had they stayed together.
Awesome video, man! I've been studying theme like a madman as of late, and this video was really helpful!
I resisted watching this cause I hate musicals, but I can’t recall a better depiction of the fight to be, and maintain, being an Artist and the conflict that is embedded in that journey. Great analysis
No, i disagree, the ending did not show what could have happen, it showed a fantasy. The end montage is showing how both were able to give up things for one another. In reality, relationships dont just work out. Even in the lovely night dance, mia tells seb that maybe theres a reason we keep seeing one another, but the writer chose to include no probably not. Hes criticizing stories always have a happy ending, that everything happens for a reason. but no, la la land chooses to depict a story that is grounded, relationships dont always end well, nothing happens for a reason. The ending montage is to tell the audience that their dream of them ending up together is still a dream and that the real world is not butterflies and rainbows.
So good. I was listening to the soundtrack yesterday and wondered why I hadn't looked up film analysis of La La Land, because it's my favorite movie, and I watch tons of film analysis. Great video, subbed, going to check out your Joker video next
I'm so glad this movie exists:
I'm currently halfway through the last month of living with my technically ex-girlfriend of 7 years who I still love very much and who still loves me very much too 😔
She told me at the beginning of the month that she needed her own space to heal herself from early past traumas and at the end of the month she is moving from our townhouse to an apartment 8 minutes away so the drive to see each other isn't too long. We are both on the same page of still loving each other and wanting to hang out with each other after she moves out, we've been living together for the past seven years so I assume cutting off contact cold turkey would be quite a shock for the both of us. Her moving out at all still feels like it will be a bit of a shock.
As if it couldn't be any sader, she is my first girlfriend who I fell in love with when I was 21 and really started to come out of my shell. For 6 years I thought I was going to marry her but this last year has been especially hard with Covid causing her to be furloughed and all the extended extra time spent together with me working from home definitely hurt us rather than helped us.
With this being my first break up at age 28, all those movies similar to This movie finally make sense to me. It does hurt now but it hurt so much more when she first told me on March 1st.
I cried a bit and felt like a weight made of sadness wrapped itself around my heart the first night she told me. Vaped a huge of Ganj, then realized that i only have a month left with the girl I love and I don't want to spend all of it moping around being sad until March 31st. I then told her that I support her decision to move out and March 1st to now has been very bittersweet but still enjoyable. In the morning we are going on our last long Onewheel ride together at Elephant Rock Park where Ive never been before and always wanted to go.
I'm so glad I found this movie from a quick "best break up movies" Google search because I felt like it was exactly what I needed. The way they both said how they will always love each so matter of fact is exactly the same way I feel about my soon to be moved out girlfriend.
Also so glad that I found this video cause the ending is what really got me. The moments when Seb and Mia initally looked distraught at each other but then mutually happy for each is how I hope my girlfriend and I will feel about each other if we don't get back together again. We have both agreed it's defintely not off the table but I know in my head that it's not something I can wait around forever for.
I'm not sure how I'm going to feel after she moves out after 7 years becuase I guess I haven't ever been alone for the past 7 years and it caused me to get too content and unmotative but I hope to learn from this experience. Nervous as fuck but it feels good to have friends coworkers and family that care about the both of us. I only wish that if she ever reads this that hopefully she has healed from her past traumas because she deserves to live one of the best of lives because she is one of the best people alive.
PS: Watched this movie tonight and vowed to myself that I will finally get around to planning a vacation to visit my DJ friend in LA to go on Onewheel group rides with my favorite CZcams and Onewheel Celebrities and maybe even meet my Mia of Lala Land.
@@milescorp6237 He needs to let go. What's meant to be will always find it's way back
any update on what has happened since?
Watched the movie two weeks ago and came across this video now, loved every second of it and I felt like learning a lot from it
One of my favorite movies of all time. Great video
Appreciate the work put into this. Gorgeous. And an absolutely gorgeous movie.
excellent video, looking forward to more!
If I ever find myself in a situation like Sebastian I would definitely give up my dreams to be with the girl. I value that way more than I do pursuing my dreams.
Glad you making this video! Great job!
I liked your explanation, it was really interesting to hear and watch. And from now on I will keep the 'Show Dont Tell' in mind. After this video only I contemplated about how huge this idea has a place in filmmaking.
Thank you for your brilliant video. As a writer and novelist, your work is inspiring me. I love to get coaching like this. Your work supercharges my work. I've watched this video twice and I know that I will be going back to it over and over as I write. Your analysis is spot on and the effect of this video and others like it , can only be described as magical. That's right, your video is magical, compelling and very, very much appreciated. Well done, son, well done.
Love the way you edit your videos❤️🔥
The meaning of the movie is a complete opposite he sacrifices his dream so that Her dream can come true he lets her go because she cannot live in a real world she can only live in La La Land the movie Is about Sebastian and his transition from the La La Land into the real world he gives up on his dream and chooses his love for Mia ....that’s the true meaning the ending scene shows what could be back in the La La Land but he at that point lives in the real world and cannot come back to the La La Land that’s why it’s so powerful it shows a transition from a fantasy world and into the real life ....
Only The Lovely Bones movie effected me in the way this movie did... Because I've lived this story. 💜
Looks like Vinaithandi varuvaaya climax from Gauthm Menon, from tamil movie industry
Emma stone and Ryan gosling should get the Oscar this year (2024) just for that last nod and little smile at the end. Incredibly subtle acting that moved me like no acting has done before.
thanks for helping me articulate why I love this movie and its tragic ending
I love it so much, I found this great video looking for the ending of La La Land. I just wanted to see it again. This ending is so powerful. Unforgettable really, and sad.
Sometimes people can affect and shape your life in profound ways, and you love them and are eternally grateful for them, even if they're not the person you are meant to be with, and that's ok.
The film is beautiful, thank you for making this video
Your are brilliant. This movie really makes us realize how to weigh all our decisions in life. Indeed we cannot have everything in life, we need to sacrifice one priority to the other so it is up to us on how we define and create our life.
Great vid man keep it up
this was such a well written video :)
Incredibly intricate interpretation of the ending. I love it man , great job.
i agree with everything but the ending, yes everything that happened in the montage was what "could" have been but there's no way seb and mia both would have been able to meet their career goals if things fell through like how they did in the montage.
eg: just because Seb showed up at her play, that doesn't mean all those other people would have too.
(its obviously minor but it shows how throughout how there are minor inconsistencies with how life actually would have been).
plus, if mia didn't go through the heartbreak of that fight with him (when he returned from tour) or when he didn't show up for her play, she wouldn't have been able to give that specific audition. that heartache taught her the insane drive she has for her craft, it made her introspect and truly understand herself and her roots, if that didn't happen, the audition she would have given would have been completely different and thus shes unlikely to get the part. so while she would have been with seb, she wouldn't have been the actress she was at the end. so its a "la la land" to think that they could have gotten it all because no matter how perfect, they were still not each others "person" - she would have had either him or her career.
the term la la land describes a sort of imaginary world - so I would think what the movie is trying to show is reality, that the fake imaginary world where all went right is fake and imaginary for a reason because it just wouldn't have happened. they couldn't have it all with each other, and that's why Mia found it elsewhere and Seb did too (with his career at least)
idk that's my interpretation of the movie, I adore it and lmk what your thoughts are.
I am way late to this commentary. I landed here because I just discovered Damien Chazelle - the writer director of La La Land - by watching Babylon first ... My takeaway "You follow - and sacrifice - what you love most". Great films in my opinion and I can see very similar themes in both. The stark difference is this one has the happy ending for the artists whereas its a tragic ending in Babylon. La La Land is light, beautiful. Babylon is dark, hard to watch at times (over the top). Both are about the entertainment industry.
Great explanation of ending and breakdown of writing one.
What a beautiful analysis. Keep it up dude
Really loved your view on the and this movie 💙love it