Review of Whiplash (2014) by Omar K — 17 Jul 2015

Precision can be defined as the quality of being exact and accurate. Instruments working together to create music depend on precision to even sound acceptable for musicians. Great music comes down to the finest strands of musical notes that actually makes a difference and separates the greats from the ordinary pack. These stories are not lacklustre musical romances, these are dramatic character determination tales that maintain the power to transfix and blow away because this style of music is an art in itself. Dramatic music films are rare nowadays and if made they are normally teenage musical competitions that are never going to be a consuming watch. But finally, one has been made, and seeing as it has been created by fan and former youth jazz drummer Damien Chazelle, the film is always going to thrive as a tenaciously riveting factual insight. Chazelleâ??s first love was filmmaking so he accomplished his life goal, but he at a teenage age tested himself out as a jazz drummer with an intense music teacher to guide him. It seems the profession required too much for Chazelle to make it in, therefore he resorted to making a film about jazz drumming, and he downright has made the right choice, as Whiplash is a thrilling investigation of a profession that requires dedication and a metal of ruthlessness to even last in.

Whiplash is pretty much a routine drama film that utilises the unique topic of jazz drumming to bolster its promise of delivering consuming drama. Whiplash concerns a 19-year old talented jazz drummer named Andrew Neiman who by chance auditions for the renowned conductor Terence Fletcher at Shaffer Conservatory, the best music school in the United States. Once he joins the class, he witnesses Fletcherâ??s ruthless teaching methods but is relaxed when Fletcher courteously asks about his family. Fletcher is in truth a master manipulator and when Neiman enters the room to play he experiences a fierce backlash to his drumming resulting in a chair being thrown at him, to continuous slapping until ultimately Neiman is reduced to tears. Neiman pushes himself after this event to his physical limit, and when Fletcher coldly pursues another drummer, the friction between the two builds to a climactic fracas. Nevertheless, both the protagonists meet for a final performance together on stage for all the world to see their friction and their talent. All other plotlines that donâ??t involve Neimanâ??s drumming determination and class abuse are rendered futile and unnecessary as they lack the visceral, aggressive entertainment that comes when one person is driven to bleed with his drumsticks in order to be the best and the other is ruthless and unrelenting in the way he trains his students. The film actually makes Neiman bluntly state to his girlfriend he canâ??t proceed with their relationship because of his drumming ambitions wanting nothing to get in the way, similarly to the manner in which Whiplashâ??s best scenes are its vicious drumming lessons and not the unexciting sub-plots. Who knew that jazz drumming would be so fascinating as literal blood, sweat and tears will have been shed by the end leaving you gaping at how hard jazz perfection really proves to be in attaining.

Miles Teller, star of teenage party films Project X and 21 & Over stars as the young aspiring drummer Andrew Neiman. He wants to be one of the greats of music, like Buddy Rich, who was billed as the worldâ??s greatest, but his arrival at Shaffer transforms his character into a determined young man that will go to anything to be the bestâ?¦ but only if his teacher lets him! Teller has never really broken out from the younger roles he receives, but Whiplash provides him with a stepping-stone to a more dramatic career. Teller embodies his characterâ??s inner determination and anger so well that he never gets overshadowed by Fletcherâ??s ruthlessness, making his ascent into a great drummer all the more believable because it appears as if Teller really has tested himself and come out the other side stronger. J. K. Simmons portrays the ferociously vicious Terence Fletcher, whose aggressive manner of teaching and improving his students takes Whiplash into shocking territories. Simmons ruthlessly demolishes the role and surprises you even further with a character that appears profoundly interesting beneath all the terrorising he does. This performance to me came as no surprise for in the original Tobey Maguire-Spiderman series, he portrayed the pompous editor of the newspaper Peter Parker works at, and in this role he gives a barbarously vocal performance. With Simmons it is not just anger though, as he is involved in a touching emotional moment that resonates with you giving his dark and unfriendly character a dimension of humanity. He is the favourite to win Best Supporting Actor at the upcoming Oscars and even though Duvall, Hawke, Norton and Ruffalo are all credible nominees, Simmons freakishly tramples over them with a performance that overwhelms and devastates everything in sight.

The power struggle between Neiman and Fletcher is undoubtedly the plot of the film that has made Whiplash a Best Picture nominee. Neiman begins Fletcherâ??s class subservient to his power and abuse, but as the methods of teaching develop into a psychological problem for Neiman, he begins to want to usurp Fletcherâ??s place in the hierarchy and end his bullying. Fletcher never breaks stride in his ferocious attitude as he constantly strips the resilient Neiman of his integrity by testing his technique, power, groove and speed repeatedly, even replacing him when he slacks. These moments of struggling that fluctuate towards the end of the film provide scenes of such impact that they easily become the moments that leave you fond of it. Especially the final scene between the protagonists in which both are on stage together ridiculing one another until they realise the music is about to make a legend. Their differences are put aside for both of their loves for jazz music and therefore when they merge, all the hierarchies and bitterness is just dissolved in the blink of an eye and what you see is a connection between two warring souls whose disparities has made this film one heck of a thrill ride. Whiplash like a piece of music crescendos when you want more as its characters are unified by the same personal ambition, but as it cuts, the polished film that is Whiplash fulfils its dramatically intense potential with such satisfaction.

Jazz reached its utmost in the 20â??s, as it came during a period where America was roaring. The feel of the 20â??s can only be characterised as jazzy; a shiny and polished atmosphere of classiness. Whiplash concerns itself with jazz drumming and therefore it required the appearance and feel of the 20â??s juxtaposed with a contemporary setting. Tom Crossâ?? editing deserves to be praised for it perfectly emanates a jazzy mood with a shiny, sleek, classy looking film. The atmosphere cleverly radiates the profession the film is investigating allowing you to immerse yourself in the songs used such as Hank Levyâ??s â??Whiplashâ?? which is used for the title of the film and the intense â??Caravanâ?? that is used to test the drummers to their limit. It is the best, serious film there has ever been about music that isnâ??t a teenage musical contest making Whiplash deserved of its Best Picture nomination, but even though it probably is not going to win, it should be remembered as one of the best of its year. With the musical genre that is jazz dying away, Whiplash has arrived at the perfect time to stimulate you to want to be the best; if J.K. Simmons as Terence Fletcher doesnâ??t make you want to test your limits, then I guess you were â??discouraged.â??

Whiplash is rich in musical prowess and bursting with dramatic intensity thanks to its focused screenplay, balance of shock and uplift and one very brutal performance from J.K. Simmons.

â??â??â??â??â??â??â??â??â??â?? 8/10.