The journey begins at the end of the silent film era and sees the studio system all-powerful. Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) is the reigning king of tinsel town, Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) is the crazy wannabe who will do anything to get her foot in the door and Manny Torres (Diego Calva) is the more than capable gopher who just loves film. Add Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo), an earnest jazzman and you have four interesting individuals to build a narrative around.

The film’s first few reels are so packed with kinetic energy and outrageous events that when the film slows down to develop its characters you have to adjust to the more leisurely cadence. The transition from silent movies to the talkies was traumatic for some and fatal for others and when things reach their conclusion you are left sad at many of the outcomes.

In many ways, you can see the lessons learned in Chazelle’s past films reaching full fruition in Babylon. It is so brimming with ideas and visuals it will take more than a single viewing to consume completely. It’s a work that regardless of its theatrical box office will be great at home. You can watch it over and over and get something new from it every time. Who would have thought a film so chaotic in nature would end up having such a big heart?
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU/

From Damien Chazelle, BABYLON is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart.

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU/

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Babylon will be relased in Aussie cinemas January 19!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU/

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Babylon will be released in Australian cinemas January 19!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU/

The casting pays real dividends as Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are perfectly cast and their on-screen chemistry is palpable. The film is also quite clever in its sometimes non-linear structure and the what ifs? provide the audience with more than one view of the on-screen proceedings. It’s clever in a way that doesn’t draw attention to itself in that look at me kind of way.

The story involves living in Los Angeles, being so close to grabbing the brass ring of success and what actually constitutes that success. That the film is satisfying on so many levels is down to a great script, assured direction and a structure that sells people breaking into song without pages of provocation. The songs are also a engaging example of what can be done with song and dance.

La La Land is a wonderful date flick (with tears flowing from some members of the audience) and provides a comforting sense of escape, if only for a few hours. With all the horrors of the year still fresh in one’s mind, what could be a better way to spend the time?

Rob Hudson
www.lalaland.movie