"Here's to the fools who dream."
La La Land - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Here's to the ones who dream, foolish as they may seem.
— Mia Dolan
Context:
Mia sings this during her final, pivotal audition. Instead of reading lines, she is asked to simply tell a story. She sings about her aunt, an actress who inspired her, and this raw, personal performance is what finally lands her a major role, launching her career.
Meaning:
This lyric from the song "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" encapsulates the film's central message. It's a tribute to all the artists and dreamers who pursue their passions against all odds. It celebrates the courage and vulnerability required to chase a dream, even when society might dismiss it as foolish.
City of stars, are you shining just for me?
— Sebastian Wilder & Mia Dolan
Context:
The song appears multiple times. Sebastian first sings it alone on the Hermosa Beach pier at dusk. Later, he and Mia sing it as a duet in their apartment, symbolizing the merging of their dreams and their love story. It becomes their love theme, reappearing in the film's final moments at Seb's jazz club.
Meaning:
This iconic lyric from the main theme, "City of Stars," captures the sense of hope and loneliness felt by aspiring artists in Los Angeles. It questions whether the city's promise of fame and success is a personal destiny or just an impersonal, distant glimmer. The song explores the longing for connection and recognition in a vast, competitive world.
I'm always gonna love you.
— Mia Dolan & Sebastian Wilder
Context:
This exchange happens on the hill overlooking the city, near the Griffith Observatory, after Mia's successful audition. They both realize that her career will take her to Paris, and they make the mutual, heartbreaking decision not to follow each other, choosing instead to pursue their individual dreams while acknowledging their enduring love.
Meaning:
This simple declaration, exchanged before Mia leaves for Paris, is the emotional core of their separation. It acknowledges that while their paths are diverging and their romantic relationship is ending, the love and impact they had on each other's lives is permanent. It frames their ending not as a failure, but as a poignant, mature acceptance of their reality.
People love what other people are passionate about.
— Mia Dolan
Context:
Mia says this to Sebastian while they are discussing his dream of opening a jazz club. He is feeling cynical about the relevance of traditional jazz. Her encouragement is a key moment that reinforces his dream and deepens their connection.
Meaning:
This is Mia's advice to a discouraged Sebastian, who worries that no one cares about the kind of pure jazz he loves. It's a powerful statement about the infectious nature of genuine passion. Mia's belief is that if an artist's commitment is authentic and deeply felt, it will attract an audience, regardless of whether the art form is mainstream.