Everyone loves a good movie musical whether they want to admit it or not. So I thought I would list my top 5 favourites that no can resist tapping their toes along too.
Number 5
La La Land
Released in 2016 starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is would be difficult to find someone who hadn’t heard of La La Land, especially since it made 447.4 million at the box office. The film follows Sebastian a struggling jazz musician and aspiring actress Mia as they both try to achieve their dreams, support each other and make their relationship work. We see them from their first meeting, which doesn’t initially go to well, watch them fall in love and even watch the relationship end. I like how they didn’t give them the happily ever after because in reality not all relationships end with the two main character riding off into the sunset and we get to see that they can still end up happy even if it isn’t with each other. The show has some brilliant songs that are severely underrated, like Audition (The fools who dream) and A Lovely Night. My favourite scene is when Sebastian and Mia are walking through the movie sets on the Warner Brothers lot and are just getting to know each other, they have great chemistry and we get to learn more about the characters.
Number 4
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages is another example of two people trying to achieve their dreams, this time both in music and pursuing a relationship while they’re at it. It is set in the 80’s and shows the rock scene at the time, with people who tried to pursue a career in it as well as protesters who were against it. The film has an incredibly star studded case with people like Julianne Hough, Diego Bonetta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russel Brand, Mary J. Blige, Cathrine Zeta-Jones and the list goes on. Unfortunately it didn’t do well at the box office, which I find hard to believe as it was quickly one of my favourites. They use a range of rock songs that fit in very well with the story line and are classics that people know such as Jukebox hero, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Every Rose Has its Thorns and Don’t Stop Believin’. My favourite scene is one that takes place in the record store, we get to hear about their hopes and dreams, as well as get a song and get to see the start of Sherrie and Drew’s relationship.
Number 3
Walking on Sunshine
Next on the list in somewhat a hidden gem in my opinion. Released in 2014, the movie follows Taylor as she goes to visit her sister in Italy after she recommended she go there on holiday after her recent breakup. When Taylor returns this is the first time she had been back since she had spend a summer there before beginning university and is hoping to run into a holiday romance she had all those years before. When she arrives however she is shocked when her sister tells her she is getting married and even more surprised when the man she is marrying turns out to be her holiday romance from all those years before. Although this story line was at risk of being cheesy, it was actually done very well and was just a feel good, easy to watch movie. They used songs predominantly from the 80’s. These are classics that everyone knows such as Holiday, Wake me up before you go-go, Power of Love and of course Walking on Sunshine. My favourite scene is actually the Walking on Sunshine scene, as we finally get to see Taylor having fun since she found out the news and we get to see her and Raf acting like they used to and how much chemistry they have.
Number 2
The Greatest Showman
In at number 2 is a film that everyone will have heard at least one of the songs. The Greatest Showman was released in 2017 and went on to make over $400 million at the worldwide box office as well as earning a platinum record for the album. The film follows the story of the invention of the circus and the life of PT Barnum. The movie stars Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Keale Seattle. The songs are original but soon became classics all over the world. The storyline is very good and very fast pace which makes it easy to watch. My favourite scene at the end of the film where PT gives the ringleaders hat to Philip and he runs in taking over the show, I love it fits in with the scene and just makes the audience smile. It also shows PT is now prioritising his family more and cares less about his image.
Number 1
Sunshine on Leith
In at number 1 is Sunshine on Leith. The storyline follows Ally and Davey having just come back from serving in the army. We see Davy pursuing a new relationship with Yvonne and Ally reunite with his girlfriend (also Davey’s sister) Liz. We see them try to readjust to life and figure out where life will take them next. Another relationship we follow is Davey and Liz’s parents who are about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, when it is discovered that Rab has a child to a woman he was with at the start of his relationship with Jean. This brings a big riff to the family. The film is set to the music by The Proclaimers including songs such as I’m on my Way, Letter to America, Sunshine on Leith and 500 Miles. My favourite scene is the “Lets Get Married” scene as it shows Ally and Davey just having fun and living a normal live and thinking more about the future.
There you have it, I would highly recommend giving these a watch if you haven’t and let me know your opinions.
Thanks for Reading!
Cinema & Chapters by Peggy 