La La Land & The Art of Subverting Genre: A Valentine’s Day Special

Author: Srishti Chhabria & Amber Payne
Published: Wed 12 Feb 2025
Episode Link: https://cinematic-alchemy.captivate.fm

La La Land is one of those films that looks like a classic romance on the surface-but then flips everything you expect on its head.

In this episode, Amber is back and we’re unpacking what makes this movie so visually stunning, emotionally charged, and genre-bending. From its vibrant old-Hollywood aesthetics to that bittersweet ending that left audiences torn, we’re breaking down how La La Land plays with cinematic conventions to create something fresh.

We’re also talking about why the film’s subversion of romance tropes works so well (or doesn’t, depending on who you ask), how the colour grading shapes character arcs, and what we can learn from its use of music and movement.

If you love film analysis with a side of fun debate, you won’t want to miss this one.

Here are the highlights:

(1:30) Analysis of La La Land's Genre and Production Value

(3:12) Film's Unconventional Ending

(5:57) Character Development and Romantic Conflict

(12:54) Visual and Technical Elements

(15:12) Influence of Old Hollywood

(25:39) Musical Elements and Genre Subversion

Links:

La La Land (2016)

Singing in the Rain (1952)

The Notebook (2004)