Review of Whiplash (2014) by Jonathan D — 20 Aug 2016

A talented conservatory jazz drummer goes through a trial by fire attempting to live up to the standards of the tyrannical band director. While the efforts, successes and painful discouragements of the student are often felt personnally, JK Simmons's drill sergeant character is one-dimensional. The story attempts to add some scope by showing us elements of the student's personal life, but there really needs to be more in the story between the main two characters (prior to the third act reversal) to make this more than an object lesson in the destructive power of inflexible expectations.

Interesting that in reading some reviews I see different interpretations of what the band director is all about. I believe that events in the third act make it clear that he really is more of a tyrant than a mentor.