It is that season of the year for movie awards with the Oscars being the preeminent awards ceremony. Based on the awards received to date, it looks as if the movie La La Land will win several awards.
It is such a feel good movie–a nice love story even though the ending surprised me. But the Academy tends to prefer heavy dramas. If you reflect on the awards from just last year 2016, the movies were serious dramas:
Best Movie: Spotlight
Best Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Best Actress: Brie Larson, Room
Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
So why is La La Land doing so well?
As I left the movie theater, I was singing to myself that old song: What the World Needs Now:
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone”
Yes, La La Land is a very good movie–different and a musical. But I think the movie is a great escape that so many of us need right now in our lives. There is no doubt this past year was a rough one especially for Iowans. The campaign was divisive, negative, and uncomfortable. For me, the movie was about following your dreams, looking for hope, using your creativity, and having supportive relationships.
It reminded me to look for the good in everyone. To follow your own dreams and to help others follow theirs. That everyone is probably struggling with something. If you have not seen this movie yet, I highly recommend it. The movie is good for your soul and it helps to put life in perspective. It takes you to a different place–a good place to be. I could easily see it again.
And any movie with dancing is one of my favorites such as the dancing scene in the older movie Witness with Harrison Ford. In fact, my ringtone is from Saturday Night Fever–Staying Alive!
A good movie can change your life.
Let me know what you think about La La Land.
Why you think it is so popular this year?