Sorry, Damien Chazelle Fans: This Fan Theory Connecting ‘La La Land’ and ‘Whiplash’ Doesn’t Hold Up

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As a follower, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary rise of Damien Chazelle in the film industry. His 2014 masterpiece, Whiplash, was an unexpected sensation at Sundance and ended up being a massive sleeper hit. It won three Oscars, with JK Simmons taking home the trophy for Best Supporting Actor. Following this success, his next project, La La Land, became one of the most successful movie musicals of the 2010s and made Chazelle the youngest person ever to win a Best Director Oscar.

However, his subsequent films, First Man and Babylon, didn’t garner the same level of success (Babylon particularly flopped at the box office). Despite this, both movies have matured better than anticipated and are now often overlooked gems in Chazelle’s filmography.

No matter where his career progresses, it’s challenging to ignore the electrifying impact of Whiplash and La La Land, which may very well be among the most thrilling pairings for any filmmaker in recent times. These films were masterfully made and acted, undoubtedly establishing Chazelle as a significant force in the industry. Given their enduring popularity among cinephiles, it’s almost predictable that someone might suspect there was a secret connection between the two. However, a prevalent Reddit theory proposes just that, suggesting La La Land is actually a covert sequel to Whiplash.

Do ‘Whiplash’ and ‘La La Land’ Secretly Connect?

2 years ago on the FanTheories subreddit, a user proposed a theory suggesting that the movies “Whiplash” and “La La Land” are set in the same universe. The key connection? Actor JK Simmons appeared in both films (though he had only an extended cameo in “La La Land”), and the theory proposes that his character in the latter, Bill, is actually secretly Terrence Fletcher, the antagonist from “Whiplash”.

The theory hints that following Fletcher’s dismissal towards the end of Whiplash, due to his harsh teaching techniques, he moves to Los Angeles and starts running a restaurant. It’s particularly significant that “Bill” shows similar temperament, unjustly terminating piano player Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) for disregarding his instruction to play only Christmas music for the customers. Although it’s not as extreme as Fletcher’s frequent verbal abuse, it still brings back memories of his saying, “not quite my tempo.

However, the speculation doesn’t end there. Because Sebastian performs jazz music at the diner, a fan theory also suggested that this reminded Bill/Fletcher too much of Andrew Neiman from Whiplash, portrayed by Miles Teller, who ended up causing him to lose his job from Shaffer. In the aftermath, he may have developed a resentment towards jazz music and specifically towards the possibility that Neiman would have thrived in his musical career while Bill’s own reputation was tarnished. Consequently, it is hypothesized that his decision to fire Sebastian stemmed more from his harbored resentment, rather than just for Sebastian’s insubordination.

Does the ‘Whiplash’-‘La La Land’ Theory Hold Water?

Apart from JK Simmons’ role in both films, is there a strong foundation for this theory? We believe it’s quite a reach. Simmons’ presence in both movies can mainly be explained by his successful collaboration with Chazelle on Whiplash, and the common practice among directors of favoring certain actors they enjoy working with (for instance, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan). Furthermore, while Whiplash and La La Land share similar thematic elements, such as the sacrifices involved in pursuing one’s dreams, the gritty, realistic setting of the former starkly contrasts with the dreamlike, fantastical portrayal of Los Angeles in the latter.

However, if we focus solely on the written content of both movies, there’s not much evidence to back up the idea that they are secretly linked. To start, this argument overlooks a significant amount of subtext that intensified the climax in Whiplash. The final concert occurs post Fletcher’s dismissal, and although he allows Neiman to perform with his professional group as a means of humiliation, it doesn’t go as planned. In fact, Neiman leads the band in playing “Caravan” against Fletcher’s wishes, and during an extended drum solo, Fletcher transitions from being furious to impressed instead.

As the one who spent the entire film yearning to find the next Charlie Parker, Fletcher comes to the realization that I’ve found him at last. With a nod of approval, I can’t help but feel my former resentment towards Neiman dissipate. After all, I see no reason now to turn against jazz as an art form. In fact, with my own band still thriving, I anticipate continued success in my career.

‘Whiplash’ and ‘La La Land’ Would Still Make a Great Double Feature

Despite their differences under the direction of Damien Chazelle, both Whiplash and La La Land share an impressive quality – they are exceptional films. In fact, given their contrasting perspectives on the world of music and artistic fervor, they could make a captivating double bill. While Whiplash delves into the darker, tragic aspects of obsession and its border with self-destruction, La La Land offers a more optimistic take, serving as a charming romance, though still tinged with bittersweet undertones. Both films underscore why Damien Chazelle rose to fame so swiftly, even though they don’t inhabit the same narrative world.

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2025-02-24 00:31