--- title: "La La Land: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/la-la-land/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/la-la-land" critics_score: 85 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # La La Land (2016): what the critics said Critics' score 85 from 16 reviews: 16 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are consistently positive about La La Land, with praise centred on Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s chemistry and Damien Chazelle’s handling of the musical numbers. Most critics find that the film draws on classic Hollywood musicals without simply repeating them, giving its romance a contemporary concern with ambition and compromise. The songs, fluid camerawork and vivid colour attract admiration, while the mixture of joy and sadness gives the spectacle emotional weight for many. The differences concern how much substance supports that charm, with enthusiasm ranging from wholehearted affection to qualified approval rather than outright rejection. Screen Daily finds the story slight, though it admires the romance and ambition; Film Comment questions whether the emotion feels sufficiently earned. The Ringer offers a sharper reservation, finding the characters vague and the borrowed style too dominant, while still appreciating the stars’ light touch. ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Rating ★★★★★. 13 January 2017. The critic calls it cinema to make you swoon, lauding the leads' chemistry and the film's embrace of romance, whimsy and life's disappointments. It pays tribute to classic musicals while updating the genre with modern sensibility. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/la-la-land-review-cinema-to-make-you-swoon/) ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 January 2017. The critic finds the film an irresistible, joyful throwback to classic musicals that feels fresh and new thanks to its staging, wit, and the chemistry between its leads. It is a film made with love about love that leaves viewers on a high. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/la-la-land-review-2/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 January 2017. The critic calls the film a triumphant and delightful follow-up to Whiplash that continues cinema's love affair with musicals through its magical, bittersweet story of love and dreams in Los Angeles. They single out the note-perfect performances of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, along with the fluid cinematography and vibrant colors, for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/15/la-la-land-review-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-damien-chazelle) ## Evening Standard — David Sexton Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 January 2017. The critic calls it the feelgood movie of the year with brilliant stars, catchy tunes and a beautiful romance, praising its bravura opening number and kinetic filmmaking that makes it feel completely new. It is highly enjoyable and set to sweep up at the Oscars. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/la-la-land-film-review-highly-enjoyable-and-set-to-sweep-up-at-the-oscars-a3439776.html) ## Sight and Sound — Erika Balsom Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 January 2017. The critic praises Chazelle's sincere revival of the Hollywood musical genre, noting its blend of nostalgia and contemporary sensibility in a story of love versus creative ambition. The leads' chemistry and the bittersweet coda are highlighted as key strengths. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/upbeat-film-week-la-la-land-modern-musical-stardust-blues) ## The i Paper — Matthew Turner Rating ★★★★. 10 January 2017. The critic praises the film as a delightful, fresh modern homage to classic Hollywood musicals with jaw-dropping numbers, strong chemistry between Stone and Gosling, and a bittersweet edge about dreams and compromises. It is stylishly directed and will leave viewers grinning. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/la-la-land-review-40336) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 31 August 2016. Festival review. The review describes the film as starry-eyed and saturated with pure romance, praising its love for Los Angeles, classic musicals and the leads' charisma. It notes the energetic ambition and delicate reverie despite a slight story. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/la-la-land-venice-review/5108706.article) ## Film Comment — Michael Sragow Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds La La Land a slender, charming nostalgia trip that balances retro and modern elements through strong lead performances by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, infectious songs, and dance sequences. However, the resolution feels too deliberately laid out to be authentically poignant, resulting in an adolescent fantasy with a bittersweet edge rather than deeper emotional resonance. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-la-la-land/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang 8 December 2016. Chazelle has assembled a vibrant pastiche that is one of the loveliest films of the year, thanks to the incandescent performances of Stone and Gosling. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-la-la-land-review-20161205-story.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy 31 August 2016. Festival review. The critic finds Damien Chazelle's follow-up to Whiplash a daring and beautiful modern musical that revitalizes classic conventions with skill and charm. He singles out the exuberant opening freeway sequence and the appealing chemistry and performances of leads Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/la-la-land-review-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-924458/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Rating Critic's Pick. 8 December 2016. The film succeeds as both a fizzy fantasy and a hard-headed fable, wrapping intense emotions in cinematic bliss through its structure and final sequence. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/08/movies/la-la-land-review-ryan-gosling-emma-stone.html) ## Variety 31 August 2016. Festival review. Chazelle stages a lavish song-and-dance musical that is ardent and full of feeling, leading to moments of old-movie exaltation despite not being a masterpiece. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/la-la-land-review-venice-ryan-gosling-emma-stone-1201846576/) ## Den of Geek — Edward Douglas Rating 5/5. 14 September 2016. The critic calls La La Land sheer perfection as a romantic musical dramedy, praising its full embrace of the musical genre from the opening number onward and Chazelle's skillful blend of comedy, romance, and drama. Stone and Gosling deliver standout performances, with the film ultimately celebrating dreams, fate, and unforgettable musical storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/la-la-land-review/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Rating 5/5. 14 September 2016. Festival review. Chazelle delivers an enchanting romantic musical that serves as a love letter to classic Hollywood without feeling like mere pastiche. The film is profoundly joyful yet tinged with a deep, lingering sadness. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/la-la-land-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2016. Chazelle delivers a gorgeous, original romantic musical that blends homage to classic screen musicals with contemporary appeal. The leads' performances, especially Stone's, and the memorable songs and choreography stand out as highlights. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2016/12/la-la-land-review-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-damien-chazelle-video-1201811177/) ## /Film — Angie Han Rating 8.5/10. 13 September 2016. Festival review. Chazelle's old-fashioned musical sparkles thanks to Gosling and Stone's chemistry and joyful yet bittersweet musical sequences. It captures the push-pull between romantic fancy and reality in contemporary Los Angeles. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/546502/la-la-land-review/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2016. Chazelle creates a vibrant, dreamlike Los Angeles musical that celebrates nostalgia while acknowledging life's messier realities. The chemistry between Gosling and Stone, along with inventive musical numbers, provides consistent enjoyment. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/la-la-land-review-ryan-gosling-emma-stone/) ## Eye for Film — Owen Van Spall Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 October 2016. Festival review. Chazelle crafts a technically slick, well-acted proper musical with ear-friendly tunes and strong chemistry between leads. The film balances big emotions and nostalgia with a disconsolate undercurrent that comments on its own romanticism. [Read the review](http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/la-la-land-2016-film-review-by-owen-van-spall) ## Collider — Brian Formo Rating B. 7 December 2016. The critic finds the film a delicate delight with stunning visuals and a divine third act, praising the chemistry of Gosling and Stone and the emotional conclusion, though noting some stumbles in the first act. [Read the review](https://collider.com/la-la-land-review/) ## The Ringer — K. Austin Collins Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 December 2016. The critic sees it as charming but cynical, effective in its theme of bittersweet industry change but too nostalgic, vague characters, and reliant on borrowed style; praises the stars' light touch but notes the film is a bit shabby. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2016/12/07/movies/la-la-land-movie-review-59b8b3217da0) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/la-la-land.md