“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanore Roosevelt
Movies come and go, but every so often you will encounter a film which moves you to the very core of your being. If you are an artistic soul who has made sacrifices to pursue your dreams, then La La Land is sure to touch your heart.
This December 2016 release walked away with 6 Academy Awards, and this can be attributed to its gorgeous cinematography, stellar acting, surprising artistic choices, and approachable theme. Of course, the movie isn’t perfect. It includes a crude gesture and a bit of language. In other words, this is not your average child-friendly musical! (Mary Poppins would not approve!) For adult audiences, however, this beautiful film is one you’ll never forget.
La La Land follows the story of Mia, an aspiring actress who has had a few bad auditions too many, and Sebastian, a talented jazz pianist who can’t seem to find an audience willing to pay for his old-fashioned musical style. As both characters put it all on the line in their efforts to chase their dreams, they grapple with the age-old question: is it worth it? Is achieving my dream goal worth losing everything else?
Tears streamed down my face as I watched one character talk about needing to grow up and forget her dreams – mainly because I’ve heard those very same words come from my own mouth. This film is intensely beautiful, but also profoundly sad, because it deals with a longing that can be found in every human heart.
Are your dreams worth sacrificing everything for, or have you grown to realize that other things (such as family) are far more important to you than the dreams of your youth? The answer to that question will determine the course of your life, put limits on how far you can go, and decide whether or not you will walk away from La La Land with a broad grin on your face or broken in tears.
Dare to dream – if only for a fleeting moment.
The Artistic Christian 