WHILE intense dramas and true life stories have dominated this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, a vibrant love story inspired by the golden age of Hollywood musicals has found a warm welcome.

    “La La Land,” a musical contemporary tale of star-crossed lovers chasing their dreams in Hollywood and starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, received a standing ovation at its premiere Tuesday night.

    “It’s a great story and they’re great engaging characters and the music kind of aids in that,” Gosling, who plays a tortured jazz pianist, told Reuters on the red carpet.

    “La La Land” is the second feature film from writer-director Damien Chazelle, 31. His first film “Whiplash,” an intense study of a jazz drummer’s quest to perfection, won three Oscars.

    “La La Land” has already been drumming up awards buzz. Critics have praised the performances and the intricate, colorful, love letter to a bygone era of movies. (SD-Agencies)