Damien Chazelle’s previous film, Whiplash (2014), reinvented live jazz as an adrenalin-fuelled spectator sport full of blood, sweat and tears. With La La Land, this hugely talented director gives a similar shot of contemporary energy and verve to that most ‘Hollywood’ of Hollywood genres – the musical. 

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are our modern-day Fred and Ginger. Both have a suitably showbiz dream – pianist Seb (Gosling) dreams of running his own jazz club. Mia (Stone) is an aspiring actress with a day job as a barista on the Warner Bros studio lot. Their first brief encounter, during a traffic jam, is spiky and seems ill-starred. This is Hollywood however and, after a series of blunders and misunderstandings, love inevitably blossoms. 

From its opening scene La La Land is alive with colour and spectacle and is a treat for the ears and the eyes. It’s a delight for film lovers too, packed full of clever and knowing references to the musicals of the past – to Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen and, in particular to Jacques Demy and his wonderful The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. 

This is a gorgeous confection of a film, full of colour and joie de vivre but with a bitter-sweet edge; it will send you dancing out of the cinema with joy in your heart and a smile on your face.

*NOT SCREENING MON 30 JAN