Frenchman Jacques has been obsessed with Hollywood since childhood. Now homeless in America but living the dream, he gets cast as an extra alongside struggling actress Peach, and the sparks immediately fly. Before long, Jacques crosses paths with a highly acclaimed but suicidal screenwriter. as well as a group of rejects who've given up all hope of breaking into the film industry. With exuberant enthusiasm, Jacques plays ringmaster and they quickly go to work making their own independent movie.
There are currently 117 other IMDb reviews, most of which suspiciously consist of about two lines and a perfect 10 rating. That sends up a red flag, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it's ACTUALLY a charming, feel-good movie. The characters are all lovable (or intentionally loathsome), there's a steady pace (despite its slightly overlong length), the acting is pretty solid across the board, and there are plenty of hilarious moments and a few unexpected twists. The only criticism I can muster is that if feels a tad cliched at times (particularly a montage), but given the nature of the La La Land setting and the story, that's probably unavoidable. Another reviewer griped about crude language, but it's set in Hollywood, after all (and I feel like I've been seeing WAY more f-bombs being dropped in reputable publications lately than I heard in this movie!).
The film rests squarely on the shoulders of Serge Ramelli (who also produced) and he is just delightful as Jacques. He's not your standard romantic lead, but he oozes charm and has a giddy enthusiasm which is perfect for the character. Leading lady Jessica Morris has been languishing in soap operas and b-movie horror for years, which is a shame because this movie showcases her star potential. In the hands of a lesser actress, the love story could have come across as really hokey, and I'm guessing her own experiences with the grueling casting process is what made her emotional vulnerability seem so real. Hari Williams is also a standout as Jacques's wisecracking homeless best friend, delivering his performance as the film's token black guy with absolute gusto.
If you're familiar with the behind-the-scenes insanity of the Hollywood scene, this quirky comedy is worth two hours of your time (including the scenes that play through and after the end credits!). And it just might give a glimmer of hope to some of those similarly hopeless individuals who've been struggling to make it.
