La La Land

La La Land

Year: 2016

Runtime: 128 min

Language: English

Director: Damien Chazelle

Budget: $30M

DramaComedyRomanceMusical

Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a dedicated jazz musician, meet and fall in love in Los Angeles while pursuing their dreams. Their passionate relationship is challenged as they each strive for professional success in the demanding world of Hollywood. As Mia and Sebastian navigate the complexities of ambition and artistry, they must confront the sacrifices required to achieve their goals and the potential cost to their love.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen La La Land yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – La La Land (2016)

Trace every key event in La La Land (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Mia and Sebastian's Road Rage Incident

On a busy Los Angeles highway, Mia, an aspiring actress, encounters Sebastian, a struggling jazz pianist, leading to an intense moment of road rage. This unexpected meeting sets the stage for their intertwined journeys in the city of dreams.

Los Angeles Highway
2

Mia's Disheartening Audition

Later that day, Mia goes for an audition that doesn't go well, leaving her feeling defeated and dispirited. This moment is a reflection of the challenges she faces as an aspiring actress in a competitive environment.

3

Hollywood Hills Party

To cheer Mia up, her roommates take her to an extravagant party in the Hollywood Hills, filled with glitz and glamour. Here, she experiences the allure of Hollywood but is struck by unexpected trouble when she discovers her car has been towed.

Hollywood Hills
4

Sebastian's Restaurant Performance

Simultaneously, Sebastian performs at a restaurant but deviates from the set-list, playing a soulful jazz piece that grabs Mia's attention. Despite the magic of the moment, he faces wrath from the owner, leading to a pivotal life change.

Restaurant
5

Reconnecting at the Band's Performance

Months later, fate brings Mia and Sebastian together again at a party where he performs with a pop cover band. They reconnect while reminiscing about their first encounter, sparking a playful yet meaningful conversation.

Party
6

Walking Under the Stars

As they stroll around the movie lot, Mia shares her passion for acting while Sebastian reveals his dream of owning a jazz club. Their candid conversation leads them to find common ground through their aspirations.

Movie Lot
7

A Date to Remember

Sebastian invites Mia to a screening of *Rebel Without a Cause*, and she eagerly agrees, forgetting her previous commitment. The excitement leads to a romantic encounter at Griffith Observatory, marking a significant moment in their budding relationship.

Griffith Observatory
8

Mia's Personal Play

Inspired by Sebastian, Mia decides to write a personal play to showcase her talents. As their relationship grows, they move in together, sharing hopes and dreams about their future amid the backdrop of Sebastian's jazz performances.

9

The Band's Tour Challenges

Sebastian's decision to join a successful jazz band puts a strain on their relationship, leading to Mia confronting him about his career choices. The tension between them escalates, putting their dreams at risk.

10

Mia's Play Opening Night

Mia's play opens without Sebastian's support, leading to a disappointing turnout and hurtful comments. Feeling disheartened and contemplating returning home, Mia grapples with the reality of her struggling career.

11

Sebastian's Journey to Support Mia

Upon hearing of Mia's performance from a casting director, Sebastian travels to persuade her to join an audition. This heartfelt gesture demonstrates his unwavering commitment to her dreams, despite their rocky relationship.

12

The Audition that Changes Everything

During her audition, Mia shares a touching story about her aunt, delivering a powerful song titled *Audition/The Fools Who Dream*. This performance reaffirms her passion and talent, renewing her hope for a successful career.

13

Five Years Later Success

Five years down the line, Mia has become a renowned actress married to another man and raising a child. As she visits a jazz bar, she is met with the joyous realization that Sebastian has finally opened his dream jazz club.

Jazz Bar
14

A Bittersweet Reunion at the Jazz Club

From a distance, Sebastian notices Mia at his jazz club and begins to play their love theme. This emotive moment leads to a vivid flashback of their shared memories, encapsulating the deep connection they still share despite their different paths.

Sebastian's Jazz Club
15

An Emotional Farewell

As Mia leaves with her husband, she exchanges a meaningful glance with Sebastian, reminiscing about their dreams and the life they could have had together. This poignant moment encapsulates both the joy and sorrow of their love story.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 15:44

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bittersweet Love Stories with Artistic Ambition like La La Land

Romantic tales where love and creative dreams pull partners in different directions.Find movies like La La Land that explore the delicate balance between romance and ambition. If you enjoyed the bittersweet conflict of love versus dreams in La La Land, this list features similar stories of artists, musicians, and dreamers navigating the costs of success.

bittersweetromanticmelancholichopefulnostalgicdreamyartistic

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows creative individuals who fall deeply in love, only to find their ambitions pose a threat to their relationship. The central conflict isn't an external villain but the internal drive for artistic fulfillment. The story often culminates in a choice or circumstance where professional success is achieved, but at the emotional expense of the partnership, resulting in a reflective, bittersweet conclusion.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core thematic focus on the sacrifices required by ambition. They blend high romance with a melancholic undertone, creating a specific emotional mix of joy and heartache. The pacing is often character-driven and steady, allowing the weight of the characters' choices to settle deeply.

Musicals Blending Reality with Fantasy like La La Land

Musicals that use song and dance to express inner emotions and idealized worlds.Discover musicals like La La Land that mix realistic stories with dreamlike fantasy sequences. If you loved the imaginative musical numbers in La La Land that expressed character emotions, this collection features similar films where song and dance elevate a grounded narrative.

dreamywhimsicalnostalgicromanticmelancholichopefulstylizedmusical

Narrative Summary

The narrative structure alternates between a straightforward, often romantic or aspirational plot and bursts of stylized musical fantasy. These fantasy sequences serve to externalize the characters' deepest desires and emotional states, providing contrast to their real-world struggles. The story uses this duality to create a unique tone that is both whimsically hopeful and emotionally resonant with the complexities of life.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique formal approach: using the musical genre to explore interiority. They share a specific vibe that balances heartfelt drama with visual and auditory splendor. The tone is often nostalgic or melancholic, as the fantasy elements highlight the gap between dreams and reality.

Unlock the Full Story of La La Land

Don't stop at just watching — explore La La Land in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what La La Land is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

La La Land Summary

Read a complete plot summary of La La Land, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

La La Land Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in La La Land

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape La La Land. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in La La Land

La La Land Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of La La Land? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

La La Land Ending Explained

La La Land Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of La La Land that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

La La Land Spoiler-Free Summary

More About La La Land

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about La La Land: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About La La Land

Similar Movies to La La Land

Discover movies like La La Land that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.