What makes a movie great to me? Well of course, there has to be the standard stuff: great writing, great acting, great production, good music/sound effects and more. But what truly makes a movie great for me is its impact on my life-even days later.

I have to tell you that “La La Land” fits into that category. Each year, when I don’t catch the ones nominated for awards when they are released to the theaters, I try and see them after nomination. (The year I became a mother was the year that I suddenly realized that I hadn’t watched them all by the time that they were nominated-and for some weird reason that continues to this day). So, I am currently working my way through the list, trying to determine what is worth seeing in the theater (for money) vs waiting for months to see at home (for free…well, limited money). I am certainly glad that I chose to see “La La Land” in the theater as it was well worth the time and cost.

I laughed, smiled, cried and reminisced. It elicited most every emotion possible in my spirit. Although I did not pay to watch it three times in 24 hours, as my brother Rick did (honestly, I was a little concerned when he said that, but now understand!), I would pay to see it again this weekend, and only saw it for the first time three days ago. That is pretty unusual for me.

In a particularly emotional part of the film (for me- and several others I suspect as I heard sniffles throughout the auditorium), there is an amazing song sung by Emma Stone when she is asked to audition for a movie and to “tell them a story”. She starts to sing, and it is a song about her aunt from Paris, who was an actress.

As I was humming the song to myself today, I realized that the song is hauntingly reminiscent of another song that I also loved when I was a youngster. That was the song, “The Rainbow Connection” that Kermit the Frog sang in the Muppet Movie, so many years ago.  And it’s not just the “dream theme” of the song, there is also something within the melody of (some) similar strains.  I encourage you to listen to both the songs, and to see if you agree. Pay special attention to the part of “Rainbow Connection” that says, “Someday you’ll find it-the Rainbow Connection…”

Here are the lyrics of both songs (truly the only thing in common, lyric-wise, is finding your dream, but there are places in the melody that echo each other):

Audition (The Fools Who Dream), La La Land

My aunt used to live in Paris. I remember, she used to come home and tell us these stories about being abroad. And I remember she told us that she jumped into the river once, barefoot. She smiled….(spoken)

Song:

Leapt, without looking
And tumbled into the Seine
The water was freezing
She spent a month sneezing
But said she would do it again

Here’s to the ones who dream
Foolish as they may seem
Here’s to the hearts that ache
Here’s to the mess we make

She captured a feeling
Sky with no ceiling
The sunset inside a frame

She lived in her liquor
And died with a flicker
I’ll always remember the flame

Here’s to the ones who dream
Foolish as they may seem
Here’s to the hearts that ache
Here’s to the mess we make

She told me
“A bit of madness is key
To give us new colors to see
Who knows where it will lead us?
And that’s why they need us”

So bring on the rebels,
The ripples from pebbles
The painters, and poets, and plays

And here’s to the fools who dream
Crazy as they may seem
Here’s to the hearts that break
Here’s to the mess we make

I trace it all back to then
Her, and the snow, and the Seine
Smiling through it
She said she’d do it again

(Written by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, Justin Noble Paul • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc)

The Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what’s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they’re wrong wait and see.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that wishes would be heard and answered when wished on the morningstar?
Someone thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it’s done so far.
What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing and what do we think we might see?
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell.
We know that it’s probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I’ve heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it.
It’s something that I’m supposed to be.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me.

La-da-da, de-da-da-do
La-da-da-da-da-de-da-do

(Written by Paul Williams • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group)