WHIPLASH (2014)

Directed by Damien Chazelle

"Alternate, wipe the blood off my drums."

Who knew being in a school band could be so intense? Well that’s the experience freshman Andrew (played by Miles Teller) has when taken in by band instructor Fletchor (played almost villain-esque by J.K. Simmons); a character you hate yet for some strange and sick reason, you respect. 

Andrew is your average school outsider; no real friends, goes to the movies with his father (played by Paul Reiser, you know, from that show in the 90’s?), and not the best with girls... come to think of it, this is starting to sound like my story, but it isn’t. This story is about Andrew, he’s a promising jazz drummer at a music conservatory with dreams of becoming the next Buddy Rich.

Whiplash is to drumming, as Black Swan is to ballet, or Requiem for a Dream is to drug addiction, or Shame is to sex addiction, but Whiplash doesn’t go that far deep into the rabbit hole as those films do. Whiplash is an intense film and I’m sure anyone who’s been in a cutthroat music school as such would know that. It’s just the right amount of intensity in this film that it doesn’t turn anyone off, except for the literal blood, sweat, and tears that Andrew ensues when playing. There were moments I felt if it ended at a certain point, it would bring the film down a notch, but without giving any spoilers, it ends on a perfect note (pun intended, because this film deals with music and music has notes... never mind!). 

Miles Teller’s performance is a realistic one. I’ve only known him for his teen comedies but after his performance here, there’s a bright future ahead. He and J.K. Simmons' back-and-forth in every scene keeps you glued in and never knowing who's going to explode first.  Now let’s talk about J.K. Simmons, probably one of the best character actors in the last decade. He has worked in everything from blockbusters to indies, television, and commercials. His now Golden Globe nominated (and a shoe-in for Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination) performance here is nothing but remarkable, over the top at times but in the realistic sense when playing an instructor. He’s foul mouth, verbally (and sometimes physically) abusive to his students, especially Andrew. But then there’s a side of him you like, you understand where he’s coming from, but then a quick switch he’s the scariest and meanest (even more so than his Aryan brother leader role in the HBO’s ‘Oz’) son of a bitch you’ve ever met, who will throw a chair at you if you play the wrong tempo. 

Based off his short film of the same title, director Damien Chazelle has directed, in my opinion, one of the better films of 2014. In ways, it feels almost David Fincher-esque in the use of lighting, close-ups, and sharp and frantic editing to every beat of a drum and horn section. There are more suspenseful moments in Whiplash than any thriller of the last few years. 

Whiplash is a film for jazz lovers, musicians, or film lovers in general. If you’re any of the aforementioned, I would catch this film at a theater near you.