Audition: An Ode to the Fools who Dream

An Ode to the Fools who Dream

It has been quite some time since the release of 2016 Hollywood musical La La Land, yet its music never gets old! Hollywood musicals are generally popular among young masses because of their dreamy narratives, although they are commonly interpreted to be out of touch from reality. However, in case of La La Land, the fantasy is consolidated with strong doses of reality through lyrical rendering. No wonder the movie received multiple nominations due to the superimposed themes of reality and fantasy melding the storyline. The most profound lines in the film can be found in the song “The Fools Who Dream” rendered by Emma Stone who plays the role of Mia.

Towards the end of the film, Mia – who has failed in her acting aspirations as well as personal relationship – sings the song as a part of auditioning for one last acting role. At this point in the story, Mia will be tired of giving failed auditions repeatedly and is in the verge of letting go of her aspirations. She narrates this song to the filmmaker. Although this song is the story of her aunt who was an artist in Paris, these lines appeal to all the dreamers who pursue their dreams despite facing hurdles.

The song begins with Mia narrating an episode of her Aunt jumping into the river:

She smiled

The very words “she smiled” suggests her aunt told this story to Mia with a smile – implying she never regretted her actions.

Leapt, without looking

And tumbled into the Seine

On a direct level, these lines narrate the adventurous nature of her aunt, who jumped into River Seine – the lifeline of Paris. However, these lines can be interpreted metaphorically as chasing one’s dream with blind faith. Paris is the city of dreams for artists, poets, writers, lovers, actors etc. Hence, the phrase ‘leaping into the Seine without looking’ means following one’s dreams in Paris with uncertainty. An artist’s life is uncertain. He or she needs to make decisions despite not knowing the outcome. The story continues –

The water was freezing

She spent a month sneezing

But said she would do it again

The direct interpretation could again mean the adventurous nature of her aunt. She was thrilled by this experience and wanted to leap into the river again, despite catching cold from the freezing waters. This hints at her ‘craziness’. However in a metaphorical sense, these lines convey that despite feeling discouraged from the cold rejections, she never lost courage to keep chasing dreams. The song continues –

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

This is the perfect toast to all the dreamers. These lines express the moral of the episode of Mia’s aunt leaping into the river. These lines offer salutations to the dreamers, who follow what they believe in– despite feeling ‘foolish’ at times. Mediocre people not only perceive dreamers to be foolish, but also find it a privilege to mock their actions. Although if dreamers remain unshaken by criticism, yet during the worst of worst times of despair, they may doubt themselves and question, “Am I heading on the right path?” So these lines encourage them by acting as a hopeful reminder. While the phrase ‘aching of the heart’ suggests the pain generated because of uncertain life; the line ‘here’s to the mess we make’ means embracing their lives in spite of ups and downs. One’s life is never a mess until being convinced by others that it is so. The song continues with her aunt’s story –

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

‘Sky with no ceiling’ means scope for limitless exploration of one’s dream. The sunset is a metaphor for ‘happy ending’. Hence, the line ‘she captured a feeling’ indicates that her aunt gained infinite joy in pursuing her dreams. The phrase ‘living in liquor’ can be interpreted in two ways: ‘liquor’ as a metaphor for being intoxicated with dreams, or ‘liquor’ used by people to forget their state of ‘misery’. In this context, ‘died with a flicker’ means that she died without achieving fame. However, ‘flicker’ is still a light, even if it has sparked momentarily. Mia says that she will ‘always remember the flame’. This means, even though that flicker was of short span, the ‘flame’ (i.e. boundless courage to pursue one’s dream) shall be remembered.  The song continues –

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"

The lesson learnt from the flicker is that a bit of madness is the key ingredient to keep the passion alive. Craziness and creativity coexists. The conceptualization of any innovation begins with a crazy thought. Without deviating from the mundane, one cannot create anything new. Hence, Mia’s aunt believed that a bit of madness i.e. defamiliarized perspective provides a fresh outlook to art. A little madness makes one’s life interesting. Breaking away from the recurring patterns is the only way to bring about a change. The irony here is although society views dreamers as fools, it still needs them for its betterment. People may not appreciate artists, but their life is incomplete without art. This is why dreamers believe in what they do. To them art matters the most, not the criticism or dejection. Hence the singer says –

So bring on the rebels

The ripples from pebbles

The painters, and poets, and plays

Mia believes, the world needs dreamers even if it does not acknowledge their efforts. Henri Matisse once said, “creativity takes courage”. All the dreamers are in fact rebels, as they have the courage and potential to revolutionize the world around them. They are like pebbles that have the ability to create ripples with their dreams. These lines recognize the importance of all the rebels, painters, poets, artists, writers, musicians and the like for inspiring the world and bringing beauty and meaning to many lives.

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

These lines salute the dreamers who pursue their dreams even if it may seem crazy at times. As dreams are generally attributed to fame, not all dreams may fulfill in reality. At this juncture, the sight of their efforts failing may break their heart -shattering their hope. The line “Here's to the hearts that break” attributes to those dreamers, who are on the verge of experiencing such heartbreaks. At this low point, a dreamer may feel that everything is “messed up”. However, these lines remind the dreamers to accept and embrace their wonderful journey. Dreams must be pursued irrespective of circumstances and consequences. The pursuit of dreams is the process of self-healing.  The song concludes with these following lines –

I trace it all back to then

Her, and the snow, and the Seine

Smiling through it

She said she'd do it 

Again

In the movie, it is learnt that Mia aspires to follow her dreams after being inspired by her aunt. Thus, at the most lowest time of her life – like this one – she reflects her journey that was influenced by her aunt’s episode in Paris. Despite being is distress, she decides not to give up. On a general note, these lines address the dreamers at large, reminding them of their purpose by exemplifying this story.

Fools who dream is a momentous reminder for every dreamer. At times of doubt, this song acts as a revelation of one’s grand purpose. At times of dejection, it encourages the dreamer to keep moving. And at times of misery, it acts as an elixir of strength and determination.


End Notes:

Fools Who Dream is the best song in the entire La La Land soundtrack because of minimal background instruments, yet powerful lyrics and music. Its composer, Justin Hurwitz proudly admits this track to be his favourite song in the movie. As a simple listener, one cannot escape the haunting melody of this track. In terms of visuals too, this is a beautiful composition. The entire song was shot is one take. Perhaps, this song too has contributed immensely in delivering Emma Stone with an Academy Award in Best Actress category. It is almost impossible for anyone to not notice the soul-penetrating eyes of Emma Stone in this song.

Image Source: Internet


Song Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL_YMm9C6tw