Whiplash - A Movie Review

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Whiplash is a 2014 film about a promising young drummer, Andrew Neiman, who joins a cutthroat music conservatory. His demanding and abusive music teacher stops at nothing to make his students realize their potential at a dangerous cost.

Whiplash is an intense and well-directed film about the dangers of passion and pressure. I can’t believe I haven’t seen this film until now. In this intricate, impressive, and psychological drama, Whiplash is a cinematic masterpiece.

Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons commend sensational performances. Both took additional music lessons to freshen past musical experiences. Andrew and Fletcher are at constant battle of wills. Student-Teacher relationships are a high-regard, but most don’t know what happens behind close doors.

Teller digs deep into this character, delivering a career-defining performance as Andrew Neiman. Teller has been playing the drums since he was fifteen. Like his character, he also drummed to the point of exhaustion. Andrew commits to an obsession (originally his passion) to be the best drummer with unrelenting practice, sleepless nights, and bloodied drumsticks.

I have always been a fan of J.K. Simmons, but now I hold new acting respect for him. Fletcher holds unruly power for his craft as a music teacher. He is a despicable being who shouts the most vile insults at his students.

As awful and intense as he is, Simmons makes this character fascinating. You despise Fletcher, and yet Simmons is so engrossing in how he plays the role. Every expression is studied closely. He won 47 well-deserved awards for his role.

Credits also include Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Chris Mulkey, and Damon Gupton. Most characters in the band scenes were played by real musicians. Every actor studied the weight of their motivation.

The storyline was based on director Damien Chazelle’s own band experience. Whiplash originated as a short film at the Sundance Film Festival where it won an award and director Damien Chazelle got funds to make this feature. Chazelle filmed Whiplash in 19 days in a rather vigorous production.

Whiplash incorporates fantastic filmmaking. The film’s visual style is striking, with cinematographer Sharone Meir capturing the harsh and almost claustrophobic environment of Fletcher’s rehearsal room. Editors frame Whiplash precisely, enforcing quick shots. Every shot has purpose. Sound also plays a notable role, incorporating music in each scene.

Like its name, Whiplash pounds anxiety into viewers. It’s not easy watching some scenes depicted in the film. Fletcher is so manic about perfection that he makes his drummers play a tune for five straight hours until one of them proves themselves. Andrew’s incessant drum playing leads to sweat, blood, and a near-fatal accident. Some of that blood is real from the actor. My hands hurt from watching the character’s skin rip open.

This is an extreme example of how ‘being the best’ ruins your mind. How far would you go to be the best? The film explores the price of greatness and asks difficult questions about the sacrifices required to achieve it. You never realize what missed opportunities you’ll face.

This film held my attention from the very first scene until the end. The ending of Whiplash is 10 minutes of insane and magnificent drum-playing. No dialogue is in this scene. Can you believe it was almost cut from the final film? It’s an amazing sequence that leaves an impression on you long after the credits end.

I watched Whiplash a week ago and it’s stayed on my mind. I can’t stop looking up clips. Whiplash is a must-watch. Find it on Netflix.