My Favourite Damien Chazelle Films of All-Time

Few directors tell stories that are as engaging as Damien Chazelle. Since the 2000’s, Chazelle has become an icon. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, jazz drummers or astronauts facing dangers, Chazelle has created many characters. Chazelle’s strength as a director is his abilities to tell personal stories of artists facing adversities. Listed below are my picks for the greatest movies of a director that deserves to be celebrated.

1. La La Land

Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. We always got along well together. However, immigration became a barrier bringing bonds to a closure. When my family immigrated to Canada, I was forced to give up my romantic relationship with a girl that had shaped my persona. My family’s dreams of immigration forced me to sacrifice a romantic relationship I valued highly. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured sacrifices involved in accomplishing dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Ever since its release in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood the test of time as a musical masterpiece. With the greatest film of his career, Chazelle captured the heavy burden artists pursuing dreams in Los Angeles bear. Chazelle has always been one of those filmmakers with a flair for staging elaborate musical numbers, and his strengths are clearly evident in “La La Land”. For instance, the opening sequence in which individuals dance to a song on a Los Angeles highway on another day of sun is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who portray a pair of compelling artists pursuing dreams in L.A. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” Damien Chazelle’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the sacrifices involved in pursuing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 10 years following the release of an iconic film about star-crossed lovers pursuing their dreams on another day of sun n L.A., it’s a breathtaking reminder about a filmmaker whose timeless movies are worth celebrating today.

2. Whiplash

Strict school teachers shaped my identity. During 10th grade, I met a professor which left students afraid. Willing to yell, he rarely got along well with pupils whose lives he made a hell. He was a cruel teacher that would treat students with ridicule. Despite his short temper, my teacher motivated me to achieve academic success. As someone treasuring fond memories of a rash teacher, I adored “Whiplash”. Released in 2014, Damien Chazelle’s movie offered an engaging depiction of band instructors pushing jazz drummers to achieve dreams. With the most intense film of his career, Chazelle captured intimidating music teachers that evoke fear causing students to face despair. Drawing from his own personal experiences as a former jazz drummer that had a cruel instructor, Chazelle created a powerful portrait of music teachers. Chazelle has always excelled at using montages in his films to convey intense emotions of artists, and “Whiplash” showcased his strength as a director. For instance, the scene in which Andrew begins working hard practicing playing drums every day causing his fingers to bleed showcased the filmmaker at his best. At the centre of it all are a pair of amazing performances from Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, who create a strong teacher-student dynamic. Ultimately, what makes “Whiplash” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the importance of determination that would resonate with everyone. As powerful as Andrew’s desire to become a successful jazz drummer, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about a commemorated filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences treasure.

3. First Man

Neil Armstrong is an astronaut that has built a legacy that’s strong. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that loved Neil Armstrong. Neil Armstrong was a renowned historical figure that my grandfather would always treasure. He came to embrace the first man to walk on the moon that always left a glowing smile on his face. In 2018, Damien Chazelle did an extraordinary job of honouring the legacy of the first man to walk on the moon in his movie “First Man”. With the most technically accomplished film of his career, Chazelle captures the commitment of an astronaut that walked on the moon without fear. Chazelle has spent most of his career making musical movies about the lives of career-oriented artists. With “First Man”, however, the director took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first ever biopic. Chazelle showcased his strength for staging action sequences in space through practical effects. For instance, the scene in which Neil Armstrong crashes his plane facing destruction showcased the filmmaker’s strengths for staging spectacle through practical effects. Ultimately, what makes “First Man” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about perseverance which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after Neil Armstrong forever changed the world by becoming the first man to walk on the moon, it’s a strong reminder of a filmmaker whose movies won’t be forgotten soon.

4. Babylon

Drug addiction is a misunderstood issue that affects celebrities in Hollywood. During my childhood, I formed a friendship with a kid addicted to drugs. His addiction to weed put him on a path to fail rather than succeed. Nevertheless, I got along well with a student fascinated by drugs casting a magical spell. As someone treasuring fond memories of a companion with drug addiction, I loved “Babylon”. Released in 2022, Damien Chazelle’s movie captured celebrities that engaged in substance abuse during Hollywood’s Golden Age. With the most entertaining film of his career, Chazelle used commemorated cinematic techniques to capture celebrities engaging in substance abuse causing despair. Chazelle has spent most of his career focusing on the lives of musical artists. With “Babylon”, however, he ventured for the first time into the industry of Hollywood during the 1920’s. Chazelle showcased his strengths for capturing the glamorous parties of celebrities during the 1920’s through Art Deco set-design. For instance, the opening party scene set in a glamorous mansion is one of the most memorable moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Babylon” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about the dangers of drug addiction which would resonate with everyone. A heartbreaking depiction of devastating drug addiction that impacts celebrities in 1920’s Hollywood that lack direction, its a dazzling reminder about a commemorated filmmaker whose movies are definitely worthy of celebration.

5. Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench

Jazz music is a precious form of art that has always held a special place in my teacher’s heart. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a music teacher that loved jazz music. He would often love to record melodies composed by artists that shaped his identity. Through his lifelong love of jazz music, my teacher gave me an appreciation for an art-form that I have grown to value. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that loved listening to music that made his heart wrench, I appreciated “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench”. Released in 2009, Damien Chazelle’s directorial debut depicted hardships that jazz musicians go through. With the most personal film of his career, Chazelle honoured a form of musical art that he has always held dear. Chazelle showcased real promise for a first-time filmmaker staging thrilling jazz musical numbers. For instance, the final scene in the film in which Guy reunites with Madeline following several years of heartbreaking separation is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Although “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench” is undeniably well-made, it can’t quite reach the soaring heights of Chazelle’s greatest movies. It lacks the compelling character development of the filmmaker’s best work. As with any directorial debut, it is far from a perfect film. Nevertheless, it remains a worthy reminder of Chazelle’s commemorated legacy as a filmmaker. As strong as Guy’s love for jazz music, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary filmmaker that has built an iconic legacy whose commemorated movies I will forever treasure for motivating me to pursue dreams of becoming a film critic.