La La Land's Oscar Triumph: Breaking an 86-Year-Old Record!
Damien Chazelle: The Youngest Best Director Ever!
Damien Chazelle's La La Land (2017), starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, is a cinematic masterpiece! It's one of those movies that completely defined the careers of many involved and was critically adored (91% on Rotten Tomatoes!), winning six Oscars (including Stone's first Best Actress win and Chazelle's Best Director). However, there's a massive side story we need to discuss: That night was truly iconic and one everyone remembers for that infamous Best Picture mix-up— Moonlight actually won that award— but even this amazing night holds more than that Best Picture scandal alone! Chazelle totally broke a record.
Before this, those things defining Hollywood's history often weren't simply individual cinematic achievement alone: There was much more involved! What Chazelle achieved was remarkable; but what made it extremely remarkable and legendary remains within this aspect itself; his young age!
Norman Taurog: Holding the Record for 86 Years!
Norman Taurog held the title of youngest Best Director winner for a mind-boggling 86 years. He won for Skippy (1931) at 32 years, 260 days old! That was at the fourth-ever Academy Awards (November 10, 1931)! Taurog's Skippy earned nominations in many other categories, even including Best Picture and Best Actor (Jackie Cooper, then just 9 years, 20 days old– making him the youngest ever Best Actor nominee!).
The longevity of that record illustrates how hard it was to improve those incredible early feats; and only showcases just how great and unlikely Taurog's win and overall achievements truly were during those periods in Hollywood, an era full of very great names and an almost unbreakable status! Only by a miracle, some incredible timing and events is a record from that time beaten!
Chazelle's Record-Breaking Win
Chazelle smashed that record; becoming even younger, at 32 years, 38 days when he won for La La Land! He remains that youngest Best Director. Ever. To this day, only further solidifying La La Land’s importance as one of the most critically lauded achievements during modern times; the sheer age contrast alone completely distinguishes Chazelle and the record. While his other efforts haven't led to other Oscar wins – First Man and Babylon earned nominations. He shows potential to become a legend.
Even though Chazelle can't surpass his own legendary record (the age and overall position and achievement), he still has huge opportunities. Could this potentially amazing individual even become a two-time winner, joining those ranks already occupied by legends such as Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, Elia Kazan, and Clint Eastwood?
Why Taurog's Record Lasted So Long
Breaking Taurog's record wasn't easy! Many came close: John Singleton was nominated (for Boyz n the Hood, in 1991, when he was just 24), even becoming the first Black man to achieve that nomination and this impressive effort was sadly impossible to best in that time period. Others like Francis Ford Coppola, Delbert Mann, William Friedkin, and Kevin Costner all came surprisingly close. This highlights exactly why such incredible moments became significant – and legendary!
Conclusion: Celebrating La La Land and its Historic Triumph!
La La Land is more than simply a beloved musical— Chazelle's Best Director win, exceeding such an almost unbreakable record; a legendary milestone shows just how impressive these specific victories, this unprecedented feat truly is, cementing La La Land as that historically amazing night for many, a moment made significantly even more impactful because of its specific impact upon Hollywood. That Best Picture blunder aside, there were other impressive milestones on that incredible evening!
