La La Land

While the Oscars may not have gone in the way you wanted too, it made you want to watch the films Moonlight, La La Land, etc. La La Land won many, many awards and for different aspects within the film. It is a fantastic movie, a modern day romance with a nod to Broadway. The film is set in Los Angeles and stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (throwback to Crazy, Stupid, Love). The chemistry is unreal onscreen even if they aren't together in real life. The two characters are what you would normally think of when you hear L.A., an aspiring actress and a struggling musician. Both characters have strong personalities and challenges that provide them with different outlooks on life. The film does a great job at introducing the characters and their stories even before they meet. A scene on a bridge stuck in traffic, Emma Stone is reading a script and distracted, a car honks behind her and pulls around her. The honking car turns out to be Ryan Gosling and chance encounters follow the two until they meet. Gosling has an obsession with jazz that he shares with Stone who learns to love it as well. Stone has ideas and dreams that Gosling sees as inspiring and is her biggest fan when it comes to her acting.

The couple is strong, wants each other to succeed, and works hard to make their dreams come true. Gosling begins to succeed when he joins a successful band that introduces a new form of jazz. His eventual goal is to open up a jazz club. Stone writes a one woman show that she thought would be a hit, but barely anyone shows up; including Gosling. The film follows the couple as their relationship starts to crumble and they go off in their separate ways. Both characters are not happy without each other but still try and move on. They are brought together again when a call is made to Gosling looking for Stone's character about an audition. He basically drags her to the audition and they end up talking about their relationship. Both move on with their lives and while I won't spoil the ending, it is both beautiful and sad at the same time.

The movie contains realistic issues in relationships such as distance and communication. When someone travels for a large amount in their field communication needs to be kept as well as an understand for their partners feelings. The lack of communication, lack of understanding, and just a lack of planning left the relationship in turmoil. The beauty of relationships was also represented well, both people wanting the other to succeed. Constantly pushing one another and admiring each others talents. Emma got into jazz, began dancing to it and enjoying it because of Ryan. Ryan appreciated acting and Emma's hard work. Something the film lacked was showing two people unable to be with each other when both of them are successful. I find that to not be true at all and I know both people in a relationship can be successful.

All in all the film was witty, charming, and had fantastic musical numbers. Showing more in depth emotions in a relationship as well as deep seeded passion for different aspects of life was refreshing as well as entertaining.

It's a Good Year to Leap into Love

Finding love overseas, in a country filled with romantic castles, gorgeous sights as well as accents, and some of the most sarcastic but loving people. This place would be Ireland, where a majority of my family are from. The rolling hills, beautiful coastlines, and ancient ruins are just some of the fabulous features of the country. Ireland is said to be a place like no other and it is the perfect setting for the movie Leap Year which stars Amy Adams and Matthew William Goode. Adams is the perfect redhead for the role and her costar is the gorgeous Irishman I have been looking for. The story follows the seemingly all together woman played by Amy Adams, she is successful, smart, in a relationship with a doctor, applying to live in one of the best apartment complexes in Boston; basically she is awesome. She wants her boyfriend to propose and after mistakingly thinking he bought her an engagement ring (he actually got her earrings) she decides to set off to the homeland to perform a great Irish tradition, the woman proposes to the man on leap day. 

The story continues and follows Adams as she tries to get to Dublin where her boyfriend is at for a medical conference. Many difficulties meet her on the way including horrible weather to say the least. She encounters a small town where she meets the dashing Irishman Declan played by Goode. Both characters have a back and forth banter but it turns playful as they begin to realize their attraction for one another. Eventually all the dramatics come out where there is a big fight about who she should be with, what kind of life she wants, etc. The ending is happy naturally and includes Irish slang as well which adds to the charm of the movie.

One of my issues with the movie is that two people who are very successful are portrayed to not be able to have a good relationship. One is always too busy, schedules don't match up, and I understand that there were underlying issues within the couple but a lot of movies have portrayed an "unfit" relationship like this. Two people who are very successful and have demanding jobs can still make time for each other, have passion, and have a good relationship. 

However I do like the fact that a woman is taking the initiative and proposing to the man. Not many romantic movies have the female go and try to make the grand romantic gesture. The best thing is that Adams not only makes the gesture once but twice. Also the two characters bring out different characteristics in each other. She makes him more sensitive and he opens up. He makes her stronger but at the same time allows her to lean on someone else other than herself. All in all this movie does have positive messages about love and relationships. As well as gorgeous scenery and a stunning country.