What place does art have in our lives?
That is the question that plagues us throughout “Whiplash” and “La La Land.” We are presented with worlds that look down upon this art form. Jazz isn’t considered a major achievement; musical talent is commercialized throughout California. In these excruciating circumstances, we have to ask our main cast of characters: “Why are they still involved?”
And in that question, there are two routes that are explored: The idea of comfort, and the idea of prestige.
This idea is set up at the beginning of “Whiplash,” where we see Andrew Neiman practicing the drums, in a room with cool-tinted light. Andrew is just another drummer. That is until Terrance Fletcher, in a warm-coded hallway, highlighted in an opposing color scheme to Andrew’s bluish tones. Terrance is a test to see whether Andrew is fit to be an outstanding musician. At this point, Andrew is in a completely different mindset than Terrance. He’s a casual player who plays out of interest. Fletcher leaves the room; they do not share the same goals. This sparks conflicting motives within Andrew. Scenes where Andrew has human connection are lighter in color-tone compared to scenes of pressure for his performance.
Both of these lives are feasible, as we see so clearly in “La La Land,” which has two leads, weaving together the lives of Mia (an actor) and Sebastin (a jazz musician). Sebastin is meant to be a remix of Andrew’s character; it’s no coincidence that both share the same profession. In Sebastin’s first major scene, we see him playing at a restaurant that starts with minimal warm lights, and ends with a golden spotlight illuminating his rebellious piano performance. It’s a representation of what Sebastin wants: to hone his skills as a jazz performer, to perfect them. It’s no coincidence that J.K. Simmons (Fletcher’s actor) is here acting as an obstacle; not for perfection, but for comfort, which another character embodies more strongly.
Mia interacts with Sebastin in the aftermath of a party, which is where they have their first big musical number. Up to this point, Mia has experienced a modest career pathway. It’s uncertain, but she has some hope, which can’t be said for Sebastin, who is barely making his way by. Sebastin struggles because he is intent on becoming a jazz player that could live up to Fletcher’s expectations, leading to a poorly maintained home life. These two worlds collide in “The Lovely Night” musical number, where there’s interaction between warm and cool colors similar to “Whiplash.” On Sebastin’s side (the left), the sky has a more orange tone, while Mia’s side (the right) embodies blue. But as this musical number continues, the sky doesn’t remain the central landmark of the song; they soon dance amidst a pale blue light. And though this song still ends with the split sky, that idea of sinking into comfort is planted for Sebastian.
Mia’s dreams of rising in Hollywood are pushed heavily in contrast to Sebastian. As comfort enters Sebastian’s life, he becomes willing to participate in commercial opportunities, specifically with his friend’s music group. Meanwhile, Mia gambles in a reckless project, akin to how Andrew directs his entire attention to preparing for Fletcher’s concerts. While Andrew’s ambition is matched with increased warmer tones, Mia is fairly consistent in her cooler tones.
This difference in Mia’s and Andrew’s perceptions on ambition is highlighted in the argument with Sebastin. The curtains of light color are present, but there is now warmth illuminated onto their faces. The candle’s infiltration is prominent when Sebastian actively belittles Mia’s perception in the world, her occupation of a comfortable world in spite of pursuing great ambition. Sebastian has reduced himself to a world of easy money for the sake of human connection, yet Mia is not doing the same. Now, Mia is forced to decide between comfort and perfection, just as Andrew had to do at the beginning of “Whiplash.”
As Andrew changes while practicing with Fletcher, so does Mia after her play. When the lights come back on at the end of Mia’s play, we see a small audience applauding under a pale blue light. This is Mia’s first realization that success does not come easily, shattering her preexisting lens. From the retreat backstage, Mia is surrounded by warmer colors. The warmer tones persist in Mia’s journey, most obvious when visiting her parents in an orange toned setting. Even when Mia has her grand audition, the lights are gold instead of cold. This song marks a shift of acceptance in Mia, where she recognizes the world’s harshness by choosing to sing about her struggling aunt.
The conclusions of each film show the chosen outlooks of their casts. Future Mia has a stable job and a husband. They enjoy the night, bountiful in sharp sapphire color, and it seems that Mia is content. That is, until she sees Sebastian again.
At the final concert, there’s a moment where Andrew leaves the stage after Fletcher’s humiliation. When he unites with his father, it seems this is the end of Andrew’s strife. But, in spite of escaping the pressure, that gold light still shines alluringly, and Andrew is tempted. He breaks from his father, and marches towards an excruciating experience.
Each film makes its concluding statement with the final shots, four faces to be exact.
There’s the face of Terrance Fletcher, as hot as it’s always been. Perhaps he’s more radiant, with his victory in proving his craft. Even this is fleeting, as he returns to imprisoning discipline. Andrew Neiman relishes the gold light he resides in, a flash of a joy for earning recognition, before being dragged back into madness. This is one of the few times he smiles, only because he decides joy can only come in this brief spout within a desert.
While it seems as if the cast of “Whiplash” has achieved joy, it is toxic because of the strain that precedes and follows.
We know that Mia Dolan yearns for that joy as she gazes upon her previous lover. But her face remains a rich blue hue. She achieved her original dream, but begins wondering if a life of pressure would’ve been happier. But, there is more to her final shot, for the background is slightly reddish, warm. It’s because someone paved the way for Mia to smile at the end.
Sebastian Wilder. His face is held within warm lighting, given his successful career. But, the background does not match this tone; it is blue. A pleasant blue that parallels Mia. In spite of giving everything to live a life different from Mia, she was still able to leave an impact. Sebastian exists in this full form because he is connected with a different world. Unlike “Whiplash,” where Fletcher and Andrew resume a crazed exhibition of music, Sebastian returns to his music in peace. Gently playing the final notes of “La La Land.”
Art is a powerful medium because it is meant to connect to our lives.
“Whiplash” explores characters that solely exist to perform. It doesn’t matter what we see beyond the ending, Andrew will continue as an obsessive as long as Terrance is unsatisfied. There’s a deliberate decision never to show Terrance’s home life, almost implying he doesn’t have one.
“La La Land” showcases what happens when we are diverse, and expand our worldview. While both Mia and Sebastian live in the worlds they strive for, their perspectives are diverse. Mia is able to achieve comfort because Sebastian highlights the importance of hard work, and Sebastian is able to achieve prestige because Mia highlights the importance of being receptive to a flexible life. The two work together to produce richer individual melodies.
There are those who forget why they pursue an interest, who follow it solely because they are told it brings joy. But to understand our place in life, we must allow our view to broaden. We must mix lifestyles, we must mix ideas, we must mix passions. Art takes experiences from all walks of life to produce something beautiful in its sprawling ideas and messages.
Don’t ever give up on creating or exploring. There is an inherent value of experiencing, because that is what living is for.