An Alternate View on the Whiplash Ending

Rating: 9/10 (14 June 2015)

Firstly, can I just say, what an unbelievable film. Every aspect of this film is incredible. The acting, the cinematography, the editing, the choice of shots. Every single part of this film is on another level to practically every other film of recent years. There are so many memorable moments as well, the fast panning between Fletcher and Neyman in an incredibly intense scene towards the end. When Neyman puts his phone down whilst driving his car, and looks up and suddenly gets smashed into by a lorry, and of course who could forget the look on Fletcher's face in that final shot.
Anyway, I first watched this film just after it had been released, and it blew me away. So it's criminal really that I've only just got round to watching it for a second time. But this time, I had a thought about the ending and whether there could be more to it than actually meets the eye.
Just to recap, Fletcher offers Andrew the chance to perform in his new band at a festival concert, and when Andrew gets there Fletcher is explaining to the group how certain members of the audience only have to make 1 phone call, and suddenly you could find yourself at one of the top music collages in the country if you perform well on stage. However, he also states that a bad performance could end their career, and that these people 'never forget'. Andrew walks onto the stage and sits at his drum set, before Fletcher explains that he knew it was him who testified against him, which consequently lead to Fletcher losing his job. As revenge, Fletcher leads the band in a new piece, which Andrew has never played before, and doesn't have a music sheet for, and therefore Fletcher looks to have ended any chance Andrew may have of becoming one of the 'greats'. However after originally walking off stage, Andrew returns, and plays "Caravan", a tune that he knows well, before ending with an incredible drum solo. Fletcher is soon won round by Andrew's superb ability, giving him a nod of approval, and proud smile before the film ends.
One interpretation though that crossed my mind, is whether all of this was actually planned by Fletcher all along.
Fletcher himself admitted that he pushes people to their limits. And even though he despises Andrew for testifying against him, he realises that Andrew is his best chance of finding a 'Charlie Parker'. So he purposely sabotages Andrew initially, but knows full well that Andrew will not discouraged, and will instead be even more fired up to give the performance of his life. Andrew then goes out and does that, believing that he is not only getting back at Fletcher for in his mind trying to ruin him, but also knowing that there are influential people in the room, and that this will be his only chance to get into Lincoln Centre, which he is so desperate to do. But Fletcher had planned this all along, and the nod that the 2 share towards the end, is a nod of recognition from Andrew to Fletcher of way of thanking him for the motivation he needed to give the performance of his life, and Fletcher's nod is in acknowledgement that Andrew has managed to become the pupil that he has desperately been searching for all these years.
Just a thought really, I don't actually believe that alternate ending myself, I just thought I would share it as it is an interesting prospect.