La La Land: Where Does the Magic Occur?
La La Land: Where Does the Magic Occur?
La La Land, directed by Damien Chazelle, has captivated audiences with its enchanting musical sequences and stunning visuals. A frequent question that arises is: lsquo;What year does La La Land take place in?rsquo; To answer this question, we need to explore the unique setting and time period Chazelle has crafted for his fairy tale Los Angeles.
The Way of the Movie
At its core, La La Land primarily takes place in contemporary Los Angeles, specifically around the years leading up to and including the film's 2016 release. However, the narrative is not bound by strict temporal constraints. The movie is a blend of contemporary settings and retro aesthetics, creating a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly.
Mix of the Real and the Fictitious
The Los Angeles depicted in La La Land is a blend of the city's 1940s and 1950s golden era and its modern incarnation. This mix gives the film a timeless quality that sets it apart from its specific year of production. It is a Los Angeles that exists in the director's mind, a fictional yet relatable world that fits the story of aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) and jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling).
Guessing the Time Period
While the exact year La La Land is set in is unclear, many clues can be found within the film itself. For instance, the wardrobe worn by the characters suggests the movie is set in a period between 2010 and 2017. This range aligns with the typical fashion trends during that time, giving the movie a contemporary yet vintage vibe.
Behind the Scenes: The Creation of a Timelapse
One fascinating aspect of La La Landrsquo;s production is the transformation of real locations into the magical, cinematic Los Angeles that Chazelle envisioned. In a specific scene, the absence of street lamps and benches in the original setting led the production team to add these elements for aesthetic and narrative purposes. This indicates a departure from the real-world Los Angeles and the creation of a fictional yet believable urban environment.
A Fictional LA
The city that La La Land portrays is fictional, a place that exists beyond the confines of real Los Angeles. While a location called Los Angeles does indeed exist, the LA of the film is a product of Chazelle's imagination. It blends elements from various time periods, resulting in a unique and timeless setting. This fictional Los Angeles is where the magic of the film occurs, a place adapted from reality but transformed into a paradise for aspiring artists.
How the Setting Enhances the Story
The cinematic time captured in La La Land enhances the story by providing a backdrop that both mirrors and exaggerates the aspirations and struggles of Mia and Sebastian. It is a Los Angeles that exists outside of time, allowing the characters to navigate their dreams with a mix of outdated glamour and modern realities.
By setting La La Land in a realm that sits between eras, Chazelle has created a fictional Los Angeles that serves the narrative. It is a city that is both of and not of its time, a place where anything is possible and where the film's themes of chasing dreams and the realities of life find their perfect reflection.
So, when the question is asked, 'What year does La La Land take place in?', the answer is complex and nuanced. While it is firmly rooted in the 2010s, the settingis more a reflection of the director's vision and the movie's narrative needs than a specific year.
Conclusion
The setting of La La Land is a blend of the real and the imagined, a carefully crafted world that enriches the film's storytelling. It is a tribute to the golden era of Hollywood and a commentary on contemporary aspirations, all within the framework of a timeless Los Angeles. This makes La La Land a unique cinematic experience that continues to enchant audiences around the globe.