Whiplash: Movie Review
I find it hard to believe that the same person who wrote the screenplay for 2013’s “The Last Exorcism Part II” is the same one who wrote this year’s “Whiplash”. It is not because one is horror and the other is drama. It is because the horror sequel was complete trash in every way and the latter is absolutely brilliant. Damien Chazelle makes his feature film directorial debut with “Whiplash” which is based on the short film of the same name.
Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is a passionate and talented jazz-drummer, attending one of the most elite music schools in the country. His only dream is to become the greatest jazz drummer possible. When conductor/teacher Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) discovers Andrew, he transfers the young drummer to his band. From there, Andrew’s life will forever be altered.
Although Andrew enters the band as an “alternate”, he soon becomes a core member after the main drummer can’t perform at a competition. At first the advancement goes to his head, but the emotionally brutal Fletcher does not let Andrew celebrate it. In fact, Fletcher’s terrifying teaching methods get even more drastic the further along his new student comes. Andrew is pushed so hard emotionally, that he practices all night on his drum kit until his drumsticks and drums are stained with blood and sweat. Andrew is pushed so hard that at one point, he gets into a car accident, crawls out of the turned-over vehicle and limps to a competition in order to not lose his spot in the band.
The performances from Teller and Simmons are electrifying. I feel comfortable in saying that this could be Simmons best performance to date. Those of you who are familiar with the actor’s vast body of work, know that those are not small words. Teller is at his best here as well and the scenes between the two are absolutely raw. We also get to see other sides of Teller’s character when Andrew is interacting with his father (Paul Reiser) and short-term girlfriend (Melissa Benoist). It is however when Andrew is sitting behind his drum set with sticks in hand being assaulted by his teacher where “Whiplash” is at its best.
Chazelle has easily delivered one of the best films of 2014 so far and I have no doubt that this will make in on my list for one of the ten best movies of the year. The cast is fantastic and that drum solo in the final act nearly made my heart stop. “Whiplash” should not be missed.
By: Marc Ferman