Whiplash
Genre:
psychological drama
With: Miles
Teller (Andrew Neimann), J.K. Simmons (Fletcher), Paul Reiser (Jim Neimann),
Melissa Benoist (Nicole), Austin Stowell (Ryan), Nate Lang (Carl Tanner), Chris
Mulkey (Uncle Frank), Damon Gupton (Mr. Kramer)
Director: Damien
Chazelle
Screenplay: Damien
Chazelle
Release: 2014
Studio: Bold
Films, Blumhouse Productions, Right of Way Films, Sierra/Affinity
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.2/10
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Story-line: for
Andrew Neimann, a drum student at the Shaffer Conservatory, working under teacher
Terence Fletcher would be a dream come true. To make it happen, however, he will
have to accept Fletcher as he is, warts and all.
Pluses: heavy-duty
acting by Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons (in a wide-ranging, Oscar-winning performance
as the mercurial Fletcher), able support from a good cast, first-rate
direction, an interesting screenplay dipped in acid and psychological stress,
attractive cinematography, a fine musical score, convincing production values, great
editing and sound (both rewarded with Oscars). Please note that the film was also nominated for Best Picture and
Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay.
Minuses: the language used − although indicative of a very competitive academic
environment – is excessively derogatory, cruel and
vulgar in a jazz context (does music really soothe the savage beast?). I subtracted
0.2 from my overall score because of the single-mindedness of the screenplay and its questionable, dog-eat-dog
moral message.
Comments: Vic Braden (1929-2014), a lovable tennis teacher and psychology graduate, once said that he tried to match sadists against masochists at his training camps so all his players would be happy. You could say as much about the relationship between Andrew and Fletcher in the dynamic and very demanding WHIPLASH: in some way, they need each other so much that they’ll make life miserable for each other and everybody else. I guess this is what musicians call ‟paying your dues”…
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