La La Land - Broken Dreams 

Sometimes I interpret La La La’s finales as a dream bifurcation. If Sebastian was with Mia until the end, they would enter a club that is not Sebastian’s, which means at least one of them will not fulfill his/her dream. I thought it was a very cool idea for the ending

These semi-autobiographical video essays are almost always the most compelling, but maybe that's just the parasocial relationship talking. Great work

As a person who is pursuing art as a dream, I have this to say: Do it if you can't imagine living without it. Do it when you are sure you will do it even when you are poor and starving. Do it when the act of doing it is already a reward itself. Do it when learning and improving it is joyful. Even with all this criteria filled, you aren't guaranteed success. But you will survive the insurmountable suffering that is on your way.

"It's my life, but people in my life are with me regardless of their circumstances. They're just props in my one person show. That's ego. So humility is accepting reality." That line was deep What a insightful, beautiful and heartbreaking essay. Thanks for sharing your story.

Thanks for sharing your story, Jesse. Sadly, not everyone with goals and aspirations achieves them, and there should be more stories about those people.

The way you can connect your own personal un-success story with a movie review and combine it into a video essay reveals the dream that should have been.

This captivated me from start to finish. Really well made. As someone who wants to be a voice actor someday (but I live in Ireland and have almost nonexistent self confidence) it was kind of a cautionary tale. The way you seamlessly incorporate your own experiences was what made this analysis so special. Truly brilliant, thank you Jesse!

I've read through the 85+ comments to this video and I have to agree with everyone's genuine compliments. This is a wonderfully crafted message to anyone following what drives them in life, and you delivered it with perfect rhythm. I hope your mom was able to handle these same beats with the love and commiseration that must come from such an adventure!

I agree with a lot of your core arguments here -- success doesn't just happen because you want it, nor is going after your dream easy. Still -- as a person who got on the other side first as an an art director(TWD, Better Call Saul) then as a screenwriter(projects not out yet), there's something most people don't understand about success. You work hard, you show up, and the rest seems to be random. So in a way, the difference between what happens to Emma versus all the people who fail is kinda the same. Why do many artists or writers fail and I made progress? After a certain baseline of talent and hardwork, there is no reason. There is no paying your dues, no guidelines, and no rules. Many screenwriters write for decades and never get a shot. The first time I reached out to producer on a script, the script went into development at CBS studios, I got a manger at Circle of Confusion, and Robert Kirkman's lawyer. Why? Who knows? A year later, I was with different reps, a different lawyer, and that project ended. But a new project, I wrote blew up even bigger. Why? Who knows? To show someone struggle and fail, versus struggle and succeed, through random chance are both accurate. Unless you are counting by probability. But even then -- the statistical odds say you have roughly the same chance of being a pro writer or actor as being an Olympic athlete. So when approaching these fields and trying to make your path, there is no realism. Naïve self interest, talent, and blind luck are the only way forward. To make a movie that suggest that paying your dues, struggling with poverty, and having no romantic partner to support you might lead to success (the opposite story) would also not be realistic. No matter if your journey is easy or hard, practical or impractical, your chances of success are almost none, and totally random. There is no way to show a realistic version of rare success. Because its not a formula that can be repeated.

I always found La La Land's ending to be really melancholic, yeah they made it, but apart from the missed opportunity in their relationship, the glimpse into Mia's life made it feel so cold to me, like it was a part of her new celebrity image and not something genuine...

At the beginning, Jesse starts looking for the camera. At the end, he is just saying goodbye. I think that represents the mature that Jesse got about his passion through the years. Thanks for sharing this, you’re such an incredible writer

Phenomenal video. Thank you. Setting aside the flaws of Mia’s character and the storytelling, here’s my take on the ending. Mia puts everything on the line for her dream with the production of her play. The Fools who Dream song is a tribute to those who take risks, even unsuccessfully, and how there’s something intrinsically beautiful about the striving for things unattained. At the end, Mia doesn’t stay with Sebastian, and Sebastian must compromise on the ideal of his club by making it more accessible (by naming it “Seb’s” instead of “Chicken on a Stick,” for instance). This ending shows that dreams are attainable, but not without pragmatism. Like if you agree!

A throughline in all of Damien Chazelle's work is "The Price of Success." Whiplash was about how Miles Teller's character was good, but would it take extreme measures on JK Simmons' part to elevate him to GREATNESS? Is Greatness worth the torture? In La La Land, both Mia and Sebastian were good, but both had to sacrifice to achieve Greatness. In their case, it was their specific relationship. Most people would say, "I'd rather have the life shown in the Epilogue than the careers they pursued." But Mia and Sebastian were simultaneously the person each was being inspired by, but also held back by. Most people would want a family, and children as the byproduct of their lives, but for some people the act of creating a piece of art, or achieving a finished work of performance is just as fulfilling. In La La Land, both Mia and Sebastian recognized and understood that about each other. When it came down to it, both of them realized they were what was holding the other person back, not in a nagging way, but because pursuing that goal of Greatness meant the same to both of them. Their final scene before the five-year jump showed how they both understood the sacrifice that was being made (their relationship), but it was bigger than their relationship. Likewise, the Epilogue showed them (but mostly Sebastian) what their life could have been had they stayed together, but it would have meant him giving up his dream. So when it all came back around, they were both wistful about what could have been, but both were now fully at peace with the decisions they made and had a smile for each other, a genuine smile. For some people, the pursuit of greatness is all-consuming, and for some, it actually results in that. For most of us, we realize we aren't THAT committed. That's nothing to be ashamed of, just realizing that at the end of the day, there will be other things we care more about.

A framing of La La Land I never would have been able to arrive at independently or organically. Thanks for a new perspective on a piece of art I love.

Doing the math, Jesse's analysis of House as a series is even more impressive than you thought and this video is just as good. Thanks Jesse!

This is honestly now probably one of my favorite video essays. I loved your story about your broken dreams and thought you told it wonderfully. Thank you.

Loved your interpretation and it matches a lot of my thoughts when we talk about success stories for athletes that Hollywood loves to pop out. I'm an amateur athlete myself and know that less than 90% of us will ever become pros, a lot of us go through unimaginable pain trying to make it and end up in debt and permanent injury. Doesn't mean it isn't worth it, it definitely is, but we need more stories telling us that our dreams probably will fail and that's ok, we just shouldn't quit a steady job and career because we might hit it big someday.

I started watching your stuff before the “RU-vid video essay” became an overdone trope. I think the quality of your videos is what led me to be more receptive of the stuff with much less nuance behind it. I’ve since burned out of watching these essays, partly because so often it feels like they have nothing to say. I still watch yours though, and I still enjoy them. I think you found the perfect balance of insight and anecdote here, and my girlfriend and I are going to watch lalaland again tonight with a more critical eye. Thanks

interesting perspectives...i always imagined it was his regret fantasy, he is the one that sees her everyday on posters and media while it seems she hasn't really thought of him in a long time. i also thought the argument was very much her trying to remind him of what was once important in his life, since he did the same for her earlier in the movie. the recurring event they both "broke dates" because of prior obligations definitely felt intentional to me as a way of creating a breaking point to motivate the characters forward without spoon feeding you a direct response or blame on a particular character. seemed more genuine to life where we all have to make decisions in murky waters from time to time. nice story telling on your part. really enjoyed it

you are an absolutely terrific editor I hope you know that. Just amazing.

Thank you for putting out something I've felt wrong about cinema in general and making me feel something after so long.

I love how your personal story was integrated into the analysis to make for a unique interpretation! Really great work, I always look forward to your videos!

This video essay has so much heart, and I can tell you really tore part of yourself out to make it even better

this is soo beautiful i want to cry...i don't know what i was doing with my life before i discovered jesse trible...this is phenomenal storytelling...how you blend these two "stories" into one genuine emotional "narrative" just blows my mind...this is genius right here!!...now i can die after knowing you jesse...because you are the creme of God's true intentions...

As someone who had to re evaluate her entire life the last few years, this video essay hit home really fucking hard. Thank you very much for sharing

Like I said more than a year ago... this is my favorite RU-vid channel. Jesse please try to put stuff out more often? Maybe write short stories and screenplays. I love how you read human behavior.

This is a really powerful story, thank you so much for sharing it. Definitely one to take home and unpack for a while.

Crazy how this doesnt have more views. one of the best video essays I've seen and also how i found your channel.

To everyone who has been pushed aside to the sidelines. To everyone whose circumstances do not provide choices to follow their dreams. Cheers!

THIS VIDEO WAS BRUTAL! REAL SHIT MASTER CLASS OF REALITY!

A year and a half ago, I was ready to pursue my dreams as a musical theatre performer, dropping everything (I was graduating high school that year and preparing the tests to enter university) and going to college in the U.S. I auditioned in secret and got a scholarship for AMDA. By the time I was preparing to tell my parents about this, my niece died. It was a devastating blow for my entire family, myself included, and I gave up my dream school for my family. It was really hard, because in my country there isn't a stable musical theatre industry and I'm not interested in acting for camera. I'm now double majoring in History and Philosophy in my local university, working part-time, and auditioning for acting gigs in my free time. It's hard, but dreams come back to you one way or another. I want to become an actor because I'm a storyteller by heart. And that came back as writing, something I've done since ninth grade. I'm drafting my eighth novel. Giving up is part of the process.

So good! It's funny tho how many dreams in adulthood became "just enough to survive" maybe it's time to dream a little more but it's also impossible when you don't know anymore what to dream about.

Awesome video. You do a great job balancing your own life-experience with film analysis. I think your critique of Mia would also apply to another nostalgic throwback movie like The Artist. Ostensibly it's the story of a silent film actor sad to see his craft fall to the wayside, but in practice it's about a rich guy sad he can't be rich any more.

'Adaptation' (from this channel) is legitimately up there is one of my favourite video essays of all time, and this beautifully presented semi-autobiographical one managed to top it. Thank you for sharing your experience, and for doing it in such an interesting format ♡

A treasure of video, and even moreso of a story. It's going to make a lot of people question and appreciate their passions. Thank you.

Jesse, this was so beautiful! Halfway through the essay, I had made up my mind to dislike this because I thought you're a cynic. But you're not. Art matters to you. Thank you for making these essays. ❤❤❤

This video was amazing, loved every second. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, we need more like this out in the world.

This was so beautiful and touching. And so genuine, so refreshing. Thank you for sharing your story with us ❤

Incredible video. As a vocalist & considered La La Land as one of my favorite movies, this opened my eyes & made me reflect. Since I was little, I had let my ego drive me. As I had gotten older, real life began to knock my ego down more & more. I’ve changed my goals from becoming “worlds next pop star” to a much more realistic “as-long-as-I’m-performing-I’m-happy.” I’m lucky enough to pay my bills with my art, but wow I didn’t realize that fame & success were my driving factors for most of my life. LOVED this video. Thank you for making it 🤍

I've been following your channel for a while and your video essays are always thought provoking or capable of genuinely conveying your perspective. I feel like I get to experience your headspace for some time. This video, however, felt like I was able to watch La La Land having tried to make it as an actor in my early teens. You manages to add to the analysis with your experience so seamlessly that I don't think I'll be able to see this movie the same way again. Your videos are always masterful, but this one feels like a movie or a short story. About a guy who confronts his younger self through a movie and wishes him well at the end. About a man picking up the pieces of a broken dream who realizes they weren't all that pretty anyways.

Best audition. One man show. We came for La La Land and left knowing you. Hats off, sir!

This is one of the most interesting video essays I've seen. No small part to your personal story, which brings an interesting insight you rearly get: The failed Hollywood dream. It's certainly not depicted in movies. Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed how you criticized the movie while telling your story, but still I have a sudden urge to re-watch the movie.

That was very touching, thank you!

Always a treat to see another upload from you. This was a really touching video and a great analysis of the movie.

Fantastic Video! Loved La La Land and thanks for sharing your story!

Jesse, I am so glad to see another video. You are a talent.

From start to finish , Jesse you did a remarkable job , I was glued to my phone screen the way you put your story and La la Land and explained everything and if you ask me I think your very talented and who needs Hollywood and like you said if you want to be an actor for the wrong reason then your not an actor .Thank you for sharing your story .

As a kid on a third world country before I wanted to pursue acting too. But because I was there for most part of my life I never had a chance to try. Thank you for this video. Loved every second of it.

Glad to see you back love your vids

masterfully made video! this is incredibly well written and edited, and i cant imagine how hard this must've been to edit. Nothing but respect thank you for sharing your story!

i really like the choice to show yourself for such a large portion of the video unlike many of your previous videos, it gives your story more personality. also great video.

This is without a doubt one of my favourite videos on this platform, thank you.

Great video, you noted one aspect which I love about the movie is so much about self-contradiction and the importance of timing, this things are what makes this movie deeper and messy

This is such an intriguing and original perspective on one of my favorite films of all time, it's always refreshing to see it in another light, see another layer unpeeled. Thank you, your experience obviously will serve you throughout your life much more than you could think🌸🌸

The return of the king

Absolutely wonderful!

Thanks for sharing your personal journey as part of your critique and analysis of the film. This brought a whole unique angle and insight that most people do not have and would be unable to see without some knowledge of the actual industry. I especially liked your point that Mia is not taking thankless roles and work as an extra in order to pay her dues. That’s an EXCELLENT point that I hadn’t even given much thought even though I also have entertainment industry experience. I guess I thought it was just an idealized version of the actor life and that would have taken away from the drama to show her working bit parts. But you crystallized that it was all about keeping the classic hollywood idea of being “discovered”. I REALLY enjoyed this.

This was a wonderful thing to stumble on as the first work of yours I've seen. Kind of like walking into a random jazz club on a whim, finding this and getting wrapped up in it for an hour was transportive.

I loved this video so much. Thank you for this.

This is absolutely amazing, one of the best videos I've ever watched.

I really enjoy your content I'm glad you started to post again! Thank you

Thank you so much for sharing this to the world, Jesse. I learned a lot from you today.

Thank you for sharing your story.

What an amazing video. Can't really tell if I'm still drifting towards what you caution the viewers about, or if I'm moving towards the maturity you've achieved, only based in my own personal failures. Still, reflecting on dreams, success and failure has never been so pleasing such as when I watched this video. Thank you.

That's incredible video, full of jokes, best edits and hard core analysis. And true sincerity about creativity, passion and ego. Thank you for your openness, glad you made this video!

Great, heartwarming video! Congrats!

Im glad to see your still making videos man

Missed you a lot, good to have you back!

This hits hard. Thank you.

Thank you for being vulnerable, outstanding video essay.

Superb and uniquely insightful

Yesssss you're back!!!!

Hey great video. You put a lot of effort into this and it shows. I love how you intertwine your personal experience with the main point of the film. A nice fresh take on a film critique

This is a really good video. It's honest, and funny, and I have complicated thoughts about La La Land and you really sum it up

this video is absolutely incredible, and really mirrors a lot of my feelings towards la la land, and really reminds me what makes this movie so special, as well as beautifully illustrating it’s flaws.

wow this was brilliant. thank you for this synopsis of one of my favorites

top notch, thanks for the video

Amazing video Thanks for sharing your experience

Brilliant work

Genuily the best thing I have seen on RU-vid in months

it was amazing, I enjoyed editing and the narrative, please don't stop making those videos;)

This video essay is so brilliant. Touching and deep. I'm still in awe of this movie. More precisely, I love the time when I liked this movie. But now it seems like it's time to look at La la land differently. Thank you for your sincerity!

This was so well done, insightful, and a true delight to watch. Thank you for sharing your experiences

The epilogue of this movie crushed me in the best way. Sometimes 2 good people aren't always the best for each other. Shame when things don't work out, but they were chasing their dreams and not resenting each other. Excellent video easy, by the way.

Excellent essay - very interesting analysis, lens and presentation 💛🌙🌟✨

insightful. I enjoyed this very much.

Hey man, I've been a big fan of your work since watching your six videos covering House. Love your style. I had to comment as soon as I heard that you were born and raised in Warner Robins, GA, as I was also born and raised in Warner Robins, GA! The Air Force led my parents - my dad specifically, accompanied by my mom - there and I was born in 1990. I live in Atlanta, now, but man, what an awesome coincidence. Keep doing what you do, sir. Love your content.

One of the best videos on RU-vid. Bravo

I think my favorite and most realistic "showbiz" life story is in Harpo Marx's autobiography, "Harpo Speaks!" He and his brothers had a vaudeville actor mother, who raised him and his brothers from birth to continue working as entertainers, and was also their manager. While doing side jobs like sweeping for the town barber and misc things to put food on the table, the brothers would play the live background music for silent movies. They got into writing comedy routines, and they kept going until they got to travelling theatre, and from there progressed to movies. Harpo had been basically working in the industry his whole life, but he didn't get to be in a film until he was in his forties! (Side note: Harpo Speaks is also the funniest book I've ever read, I highly recommend it!!)

I had just watched all of your 4-5 last video this morning. What a surprise to get a new one !! Adaptation fucked me up pretty bad. Let's see how much this one will

One of the best video essays I have seen on RU-vid.

amazing video, did not expect to watch the whole thing

I have never watched this long of a video in so long It's so well made. Good job man

Every time Jesse uploads it's a masterpiece.

seriously great video

Such a good video man very impressive

yooo excited to watch this later

Great video man!

This was absolutely excellent, thank you so much for sharing. La La Land means a ton for me because it came out right when I was at a vulnerable point between life stages. I grew up outside LA and moved away for a career that seemed to have run its course, so this movie was like a nostalgic pull to bring me back to Southern California. But it was make believe. It’s what I thought I wanted but doing so would make me give up real benefits I made in my new life in a new place, and if I went back, that initial wave of nostalgia would be burned through quickly and reality would have set in that I didn’t have much going there either. The why didn’t really align with anything that made a ton of sense.

So underrated. Beautifully done