There Is Always One

Whiplash

I think if we all think back over our life we will all find that we had one person in our life that pushed us to do better. Of course sometimes, that person may not have been a ray of sunshine that we would have liked. There are some teachers/instructors out there that need to take the intensity down a few pegs. One person like this is among the characters in this year’s surprise Best Picture nominee, Whiplash.

Andrew (Miles Teller That Awkward Moment) is an inspiring drum student that has been admitted into one of the best music schools in the country, Shaffer Conservatory. Andrew’s road of becoming one of the best Jazz drummers has to go through the best Jazz teachers in Shaffer, Terrence Fletcher (J.K Simmons Spider-Man). To say that Fletcher is intense would be an understatement. For Andrew to become the best, he must overcome Fletcher’s abuse and prove to himself and the world that he has what it takes to be the best Jazz drummer of all time.

This film was incredible. I really had no expectations going into this film and I will sometimes my expectations get the better of me when I review films. With this film, I honestly only knew that Miles Teller plays a drummer. After watching the film I was blown away by every aspect of this film.

I only knew Miles Teller from the random comedies that he has done and wondered if this would be his breakout film. If this isn’t his breakout film then the sky isn’t blue. Teller brings a great amount of innocence and fire to this part. Teller sheds the lost looking new student layer by layer as the film goes and at the climax Teller shows us how passionate Andrew is about being a drummer. J.K. Simmons, on the other hand, is a complete jackass in this film. I mean this in the upmost respect to Mr. Simmons but after watching him for years play these otherwise bland characters I was amazed on how much more range Simmons has that we don’t know about. Simmons brings so much to this character and his abusiveness that it amazes me that he didn’t hurt someone on set. Simmons’ fire burns so brightly that he deserves any and every award that is given to him due to this performance.

Young director Damien Chazelle (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench) is also the scriptwriter for this film. Chazelle is going to be one director to watch move up the Hollywood ranks. Starting with his script, Chazelle does a magnificent job creating characters that on the surface different, but yet the same with how fervent they are when it comes to music. Chazelle does an equally great job with directing this film as well. Chazelle somehow brings suspense into this film with just the camera and the angles he uses. Chazelle also shows the tension between the two actors with just moving the camera from actor to actor. This is a great way for the audience to see natural reactions from the actors.

Side note really quick, this is a great film for Jazz fans. The movie drops some quick tributes to great Jazz musicians and Chazelle adds some great Jazz songs to the soundtrack.

Even if this film wasn’t nominated for Academy Awards, I would highly suggest this film. The power struggle between Andrew and Fletcher is amazing. The actors bring immense emotion to their respective parts and Damien Chazelle proves he is ready for Hollywood.

The Verdict: Very Much Worth Your Time