There are good movies and there are bad movies but every once in a while, one comes across a movie, with themes so powerful and messages so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, that it etches an indelible mark on one's memory.

Then it can only be considered a blessing in disguise that I came across one such movies during such afflictive times which could serve as a poignant distractor from as well as a harsh lesson on the ongoings of today's world.

And the movie in question is American filmmaker Damien Chazelle's 2016 romantic musical masterpiece (and an 'almost' Oscar winner) "La La Land". The movie was raved for its moving and touching portrayal of true love and individual's ambitions and passions and how one affects the other.

The plot revolves around Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) who gravitate towards each other due to their common desire to do what they love. When the harsh realities of life strike, they struggle to keep their relationship afloat.

Thanks to the masterful direction and the stellar and nuanced acting performances, we empathize with the characters as they make mistakes and take decisions completely disregarding what they are passionate about but, eventually, the power of true love is essential in them realising the vanity of material possessions (Sebastian's case) and the power of the ability to never give up (Mia's case) and finally how true love always prevails even if not in an orthodox way.

All the underlying themes of the movie are beautifully portrayed by magnificent set designs, color palette and breathtaking cinematography. But if there's one aspect that must be distinctively celebrated is the music, itself.

It's not often that a musical blends in music with the screenplay so effortlessly but when it does happen, as in La La Land, it is sheer magic on screen. Whether it be the sombre yet hopeful tone of 'City of Stars' or the inspiring enthusiasm of 'Another day of sun' or cheerfulness of 'Someone in the crowd', the songs, the score and the melodies kept me humming for days and still serve as a sweet reminder of how much I love this movie.But if the movie is great, it's the ending that elevates it to that masterpiece level that must be watched by everyone, especially, young adults.

It's an unconventional, bittersweet ending yet so realistic that you can't help but be moved by it. The montage of what could have been if they chose each other instead of themselves, no doubt, is heartbreaking for them and for us, as the audience, but it's followed by the final shot which reveals that they acknowledge what could have been but they're content with what has been and that they may not have ended up together but they'll always share the love for each other, all beautifully portrayed just in that final smile.

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