Review of Whiplash (2014) by Russell Q — 06 Oct 2015

If there is a movie that definitely earns a spot as one of the year's very best, Whiplash would be one of them. I usually don't like Sony Pictures Classics movies, but this turns out to be one of the studio's finest .Whiplash is great, intense, exhilarating, astounding, and gripping. Written and Directed wonderfully by Damien Chazelle, this film is shockingly one of the greatest movies of 2014.

When a young man named Andrew Neyman, (played by an excellent Miles Teller), wants to be one of the greatest drummers ever, he is determined to rise to the top of his game as a first-year student at Shaffer Conservatory in New York City. But things then start to change for Andrew's hard work when his instructor Terrence Fletcher (played by a revolutionary J.K. Simmons), is bullying him like he does with his other students. Fletcher says that he always pushes people to work harder by doing this. Andrew is now working very hard exhaustingly, taking up almost all of his time every day to try to impress Fletcher and be one of the greats.

The film is packed with fantastic acting, especially by Teller and Simmons. Miles Teller, (Divergent, Footloose 2011 Remake), finally makes a film that will make him recognizable. J.K. Simmons (the caring dad in Juno and Peter Parker's angry boss in the Spider-Man Trilogy), is incredible, and gives not just a tour de force performance, but also the best of his life and one of the year's greatest. Simmons is mind-blowing when he yells at students if they are rushing, dragging, or out of tempo. Chazelle has crafted one of the greatest movies about music and passion.

The sound editing, sound mixing, and film editing are also wonderful. J.K. Simmons gives an Oscar-worthy performance. Damien Chazelle proves great directing. Whiplash is a must-see! It really is that great and unique!