La La Land - Characters & Cast

Mia is driven by a deep love for classic Hollywood and a desire to create meaningful art. She wants to be a storyteller and is inspired by her aunt who introduced her to the magic of movies. Her primary motivation is to achieve her dream of becoming a successful actress and to prove to herself that she is good enough, despite constant rejection.

Mia begins as an idealistic but frequently rejected aspiring actress, working a mundane job while dreaming of stardom. Her relationship with Sebastian inspires her to take control of her career by writing her own one-woman play. Though the play initially seems like a failure, it demonstrates her growth from a passive auditioner to an active creator. This act of courage ultimately lands her the life-changing role that makes her a star. Five years later, she has achieved her dream but at the cost of her relationship with Sebastian. Her final, knowing smile to him signifies a mature acceptance of their shared past and separate futures.

Sebastian is motivated by a passionate, almost religious devotion to traditional jazz. He fears the art form is dying and feels a personal responsibility to save it. His dream is not just to be a musician, but to create a sanctuary for "pure jazz" by opening his own club, educating a new generation of listeners about its beauty and importance.

Sebastian starts as a stubborn and uncompromising jazz purist, struggling financially because he refuses to play music he doesn't respect. His love for Mia initially reinforces his dreams, but practical pressures lead him to join a commercially successful band, a significant compromise of his artistic integrity. This decision creates a rift between him and Mia. After their breakup, he is re-inspired by Mia's encouragement and finally opens his own jazz club, "Seb's." He succeeds on his own terms, preserving the art form he loves. His arc is about learning to balance his traditionalist ideals with the necessity of moving forward, ultimately achieving his dream while honoring the memory of the love that helped him get there.

Keith is motivated by a desire to make jazz relevant and popular for a modern audience. He believes in adapting and evolving the genre, rather than preserving it as a museum piece. He argues, "How are you going to be a revolutionary if you're such a traditionalist? You're holding on to the past, but jazz is about the future."

Keith is a successful musician and an old acquaintance of Sebastian's. He offers Sebastian a stable, well-paying job in his jazz-fusion band. He represents a different philosophy of art—one that embraces evolution and commercial appeal. He serves as a narrative foil to Sebastian, challenging his rigid traditionalism and forcing him to confront the reality of making a living as a musician. His character does not undergo a significant arc but acts as a catalyst for Sebastian's central conflict.