What I love most about this scene (and you could say the whole movie) is that you can’t really tell where reality ends and fantasy begins. The Planetarium scene from La La Land is one of my favourite scenes in the movie although I have many favourites including some which have already featured here including Another Day of Sun (opening car jam sequence), A Lovely Night (the roughly six minute uninterrupted Griffith park dance) and the Epilogue.
The Planetarium scene sequence is as follows:
After the film breaks during Mia & Sebastian’s viewing of the movie “Rebel Without a Cause” (during the scene where James Dean is driving up to the observatory), Mia suggests that they visit the actual observatory where the movie was filmed. So they go there. The romantic dance which ensues sees them rising and waltzing in mid-air, among the stars, in one of the most memorable, magical moments in the movie not to mention their first kiss.
The scene symbolizes their blossoming love, as well as their shared dreams and aspirations. The captivating visuals, combined with the enchanting score, create an otherworldly atmosphere that conveys the magic of their connection.
May be I was part of a lost generation in the appreciation of the ‘musical’ and La La land acted like a portal to transport me back to a time when cinema was grandiose. La La land represented that kind of movie they just don’t make anymore. It’s a montage of sorts of all that was great about cinema in particular 50’s Hollywood musicals. It’s a wonderful family movie as well, at least for this family. My kids are crazy for it like their Dad. It currently sits 8th on my all time favourite movie list. Oh, and when it lost to Moonlight at the 2017 Oscars I was pissed. Just like when Roma lost in 2018 to the Green Book.
Apart from Remains of the Day (1993), I have never seen another movie where two main protagonists had so much chemistry. Due to its originality, flamboyance and bizarre parallel universe ending I think La La Land will age well and be regarded a musical masterpiece. It’s Damien’s Chazelle’s ‘Citizen Kane’. It was his passion project which he was able to make after Whiplash became such a big success. The composer of the music Justin Hurwitz was a friend of director Damien’s Chazelle at Harvard University. Damien won best director for La La Land at 32 years old, making him the youngest to win the award.
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Enchanting scene for sure….
Nothing but the best lol
Though I haven’t seen “La La Land” quite as many times as you Matt, I dearly love it too. And I agree that it was robbed – literally! – of the Best Picture Oscar in 2017. Though “Moonlight” is a very good film, there’s simply no comparison to the overall cinematic achievements of the masterpiece that is “La La Land”.
This could be my longest spell without having seen it. Perhaps 3 months.
You are right about it literally ‘robbed’ haha.
Thanks for your kind feedback. Your adoration for the film reflects as well as mine, millions of others I suspect lol
I read your article which just oozes so such appreciation for it. I also remarked how I wasn’t a big fan of the musical genre until I saw La La Land. Cheers.
I’m at a loss how I hadn’t heard of Babylon. I need to see it based on the subject matter. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Your review was marvellous.