Dickens & Rumi
Cover of La La Land

film

La La Land

2016

Mia, an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian, a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? The PG-13 film includes romantic intimacy, adult relationship conflict, career pressures, drinking-related backstory, and emotionally bittersweet themes. It is generally suitable for teens but may be complex for younger children. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Romance5/5
  • Alcohol or drugs2/5
  • Death of a character2/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Features real-world brands such as Warner Bros. backlot and references to historical films.

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

One character mentions an aunt who died from alcoholism as part of a backstory song.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Features mild language and occasional usage of words like 'hell' or 'damn'.

Romance5/5
Why this rating?

Romance drives the story: Mia and Seb date, kiss, live together, break up, and remain emotionally connected despite choosing different futures.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

There are no frightening or scary elements.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains some light romantic innuendo, but no explicit sexual scenes or nudity.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Alcoholism is part of Mia's aunt's backstory, and adult social settings may involve drinking; substance use is not the main focus.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Brief non-graphic aggression includes road rage and a rough shoulder-bump; conflict is mainly verbal and emotional.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Both protagonists repeatedly risk rejection and financial uncertainty to pursue creative goals, with courage framed as persistence rather than recklessness.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

Music, dance, acting, writing, visual storytelling, and imaginative musical sequences are central to the film's identity and appeal.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Includes a diverse supporting cast, though the core leads are white.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

The film offers incidental insight into jazz, musical performance, auditions, filmmaking, and the pressures of creative careers.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

The couple encourage each other's ambitions and show empathy, though their relationship also includes resentment, criticism, and hurt.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strongly explores perseverance, artistic ambition, compromise, sacrifice, and pursuing meaningful dreams while acknowledging difficult consequences.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Mia and Sebastian show dedication, creativity, and support, but also make selfish choices and handle conflict imperfectly.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in La La Land would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in La La Land, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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