Review of Whiplash (2014) by Andrew T — 17 Oct 2015

This movie is extraordinary. Going in to this movie I wasn't much of a jazz band fan, but it was one of the most intense and engaging movies I have ever seen. Which is quite obviously the point of the movie, Throughout the movie it is made apparent how the art of jazz has taken a back seat in a world dominated by sports.

You can really see the love and care the director, Damien Chazelle, has for the art of jazz. From the shot angles focusing of the instruments to the dull lighting of the picture it made you really focus on the music and the intensity of the performances of miles teller and J.

K. Simmons. I loved how the instruments were almost characters themselves. That's not to take away from how good both teller and Simmons were. From the way Simmons could go from the relaxed teacher to the fury filled eye demon he seemed to be.

As the picture progressed we learn why he has to be so seemingly cruel, and we see that he is not cruel but just a man who is holding on to the art of jazz and refuses to let it die. It is a gutsy call to action to not accept mediocrity, but to fight for what we love and to fulfill our full potential.

Whiplash seems like a simple jazz movie, but is actually one of the most important and really one of the best movies of a year filled with greats but one of the greatest ever and it is the best movie I have ever seen.