Review of Whiplash (2014) by Bobby K — 25 Jul 2016
Damien Chazelle has not only delivered on the promise of his interesting yet frustrating debut, but transcended it by crafting one of the most intense dramas of the past five years. The editing by Tom Cross is some of the best I've ever seen, reminiscent of Alan Heim's work with Bob Fosse.
During sequences of musicians performing, you feel ever note they play as their muscles strain and the weight of their art hits them. The acting, most notably from Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons, is impeccably done.
Simmons and Teller act off of each other with impressive power, creating a haunting and harrowing portrayal of an abusive teacher/student style relationship. Further it is interested in the dehumanization of artists in pursuit of perfection, and confronts the myth of "great art requires trauma" and takes it to it's darkest place.
One of the finest performing arts movies I've seen in years, Whiplash is going to be one for the history books.
This review of Whiplash (2014) was written by Bobby K on 25 Jul 2016.
Whiplash has generally received very positive reviews.
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