I just watched that opening scene again 'cause youtube has it and I hate that main dude's face even more. I don't think I was ever convinced that this kid actually enjoys music or has experienced any amount of pain (I also just realized that it's painfully obvious Ryan Gosling doesn't love jazz music either). I think this dude would've been much more interesting as a black character by the way - just based on what the script calls for - name is Baby, lives in a bad Atlanta neighborhood, dad/ grandpa's black, mom sings soul music...etc.
actors who successfully portray their love of something in a movie:
Tom Cruise (jazz, Collateral)
Virginia Madsen and Giamatti (vino, Sideways)
Peter Dinklage (trains, The Station Agent)
Jeffrey Wright (Basquiat)
Patton Oswalt (cooking, Ratatouille)
actors who did not pull it off:
Ryan Gosling (La La Land)
EVERYONE FROM WHIPLASH
Robert Redford (comic books, three days of condor)
I dunno I feel like there might be others