OMG Rewind: How La La Land Gave Ryan Gosling His Ultimate Oscar Glory
Okay people lets talk about a moment that is literally etched in Hollywood history. Cast your minds back to 2017 a time when the entire world was humming City of Stars and dreaming of dancing through the Griffith Observatory. We are talking of course about the cinematic masterpiece La La Land. And at the heart of that dazzling starlit fantasy was Ryan Gosling delivering a performance that was so much more than just acting. It was a full blown transformation that earned him his peak Oscar moment and seriously we are still not over it.
This was not just another role for the Hollywood heartthrob we all fell for in The Notebook. This was Ryan Gosling levelling up in a way that left everyone from critics to his own costars totally shook. His 2017 Best Actor nomination for playing the brooding jazz pianist Sebastian was the culmination of insane dedication talent and a little bit of that old Hollywood magic.
The Six Month Challenge That Changed Everything
So how did he do it? How did Ryan Gosling become Sebastian Wilder? Forget smoke and mirrors or sneaky camera tricks. Our guy put in the work. For six long months before filming even began Gosling dedicated himself to one thing and one thing only learning jazz piano. We are not talking about learning a few simple chords to fake it for a close up. He was practicing for hours every single day immersing himself in the complex world of jazz to the point where every single piano scene you see in the film is one hundred percent him. No hand doubles no CGI just pure Gosling.
Director Damien Chazelle was adamant about authenticity wanting to shoot long unbroken takes of the musical performances. Ryan took that challenge and absolutely ran with it. His commitment was so legendary that even his costar John Legend a Grammy winning musician himself was stunned. Legend famously said he was jealous of how quickly Gosling mastered the instrument. When John Legend is impressed you know you have done something major. This behind the scenes dedication is what separated his performance from the pack it was true method acting meets musical mastery.
From Piano Keys to Red Carpet Gold
And honey the industry noticed. Big time. As La La Land swept through awards season it was clear that Ryan Gosling's performance was a critical darling. The first major sign of what was to come was his incredible win at the Critics Choice Awards for Best Actor. It was a massive victory that put him squarely at the front of the Oscar race.
Then came the big one the nomination from the Academy Awards. Being nominated for Best Actor is the pinnacle for any performer and this nod felt particularly special. It was recognition not just for his emotional portrayal of a struggling artist but for the incredible physical skill he brought to the screen. He was in a stacked category that year going up against heavyweights like Denzel Washington and eventual winner Casey Affleck but his spot in that lineup was so deeply deserved. This La La Land Oscar nod truly marked Gosling's musical peak a moment where his talent and hard work aligned perfectly.
A Blockbuster Hit With Heart and Soul
Lets not forget that while the critics were falling in love so was the entire world. La La Land was not some small indie flick it was a global phenomenon. The movie raked in an astonishing 471 million dollars worldwide proving that audiences were desperate for a beautiful heartfelt original story.
The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone was electric a throwback to the golden age of Hollywood pairings. But it was Gosling's soulful performance as the man at the piano that grounded the film's fantastical elements. He made Sebastian's passion for jazz feel real and his sacrifice feel heartbreaking. He was the soulful artist whose dream you desperately wanted to see come true making the film's bittersweet ending all the more powerful.
The Evolution of a Musical Icon
While La La Land was undoubtedly his serious musical peak it is amazing to see how Ryan has continued to embrace his musical side. We all remember his early days in the Mickey Mouse Club and his indie rock band Dead Man's Bones. But who could have predicted that years after mastering jazz piano he would deliver another iconic musical moment with I'm Just Ken in the blockbuster Barbie movie?
His journey from the moody jazz clubs of La La Land to the pink drenched stage of the Oscars with Ken shows his incredible range. Yet it is his role as Sebastian that remains his masterclass. It was the moment he proved he was more than just a handsome leading man he was a true artist willing to disappear completely into a role.
That 2017 Oscar nomination was more than just an award it was a validation of months of unseen effort. It cemented Ryan Gosling's status as one of the most dedicated actors of his generation and gave us a performance that will be studied and swooned over for years to come. City of Stars? More like City of Gosling because he was shining brighter than anyone.
By: koalafriend
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