Three Classic Musical Scenes Evoked by ‘La La Land’
One moment in a “La La Land” fantasy sequence features a Parisian setting with hand-drawn background objects
and has a touch of surrealism, which give it a similar look to the long ballet sequence near the end of “An American in Paris.” The riverside location in the “La La Land” number is closer, however, to the location for Kelly and Caron’s duet during the song, “Our Love is Here to Stay.” (Rent “An American in Paris” on Google Play or add it to your Watchlist.)
There are many references in “La La Land” to some of Kelly’s best-known movies, like “Singin’ in the Rain”
and especially “An American in Paris,” a musical about an American G. I.
turned painter (Kelly) who falls for a local girl (Leslie Caron).
Gosling and Stone are quick on their feet, but not as fast as Astaire
and Rogers are in the famous waltz from their 1936 collaboration, “Swing Time.” A second waltz routine in “La La Land” appears briefly during a montage.
Although the dance styles featured in “La La Land” (jazz, contemporary, tap
and a few steps from ballroom among them) are as varied as its influences, several moments in the film evoke American cinema’s most famous dancing couple.
You’ll notice the black vinyl floors and twinkling background look similar to the setting for
the waltz in “Swing Time.” (Rent “Swing Time” on Google Play or add it to your Watchlist.)