Greetings on this Saturday morning (or afternoon, or…well, whatever time it is where you are). As my time out in SoCal is coming to an end, it wouldn’t have been right at all if I hadn’t at least found a way ONCE to get to a local theater and catch a film. So, of course, I found a way to make it happen this past Thursday evening. Taking a trip to the Arclight in Sherman Oaks, I finally was able to catch an indie I’ve really wanted to see. And suffice it to say, I was NOT disappointed! So…I give to you…”Whiplash”.
SEE THE TRAILER HERE
Brought to us by writer/director Damien Chazelle, the film brings us to the ever-popular location of New York City and into the world of a young, aspiring, and talented jazz drumming fanatic Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller), living with his father (Paul Reiser), and who has recently gotten accepted to become part of the preeminent music school in the country, The Shaffer Conservatory. Starting out in one of the smaller class jazz bands at the school, Andrew’s talent comes to the attention of the school’s most infamous instructor, Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). Initially taken into Fletcher’s band as a “second” (basically an assistant to the core drummer, Carl (Nate Lang)), and sees firsthand that Fletcher is NOT your normal teacher, as his methods of “encouragement” are less than orthodox and his drive for perfection is borderline maniacal in the preparations for the band competitions of which the school’s AND Fletcher’s reputations are based so heavily upon. Once a circumstance occurs that puts Andrew in the core drumming position, it would seem the goals he has are coming into place. In the midst of this, Andrew also begins to form a relationship with a girl, Nicole (Melissa Benoist) whom he has seen many times at the movie theater concession stand where he and his father come to see films. Also, Andrew initially witnesses several moments that would seem to indicate that Fletcher actually HAS a heart, and that he IS able to show amiable character. But, at the next band practice, Andrew quickly finds out the level of intensity that Fletcher is capable of, and suffers a serious emotional and physical encounter that shakes him terribly. Unwilling to let it stop him and prove to Fletcher he has what it takes to be one of “the Greats”, Andrew’s drive for success isolates and pushes away Nicole and puts him on a path of training and focus unlike any effort he’s previously placed on himself. But Fletcher’s tactics throw another wrench into this newly found drive, much less in the form of a former classmate in Andrew’s previous band, Ryan (Austin Stowell). Broken, truly resenting the treatment Fletcher is bombarding him with, plus with pressures of acceptance and identity even being a struggle with his own family, a series of events unfold that drive Andrew’s path initially from hopelessness and lashing out, to a defining moment that will change his future and open doors to his dreams. Per usual, any of the more specific details would be spoilers, and I will not divulge those…as that is my rule and I’m sticking to it.
Folks, THIS is one incredibly well-done work of indie art as far as I am concerned. The level of acting from Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons in this film was just amazing. When you watch the transformation that Teller’s character goes through from beginning to end, it’s nothing short of magical. Andrew is such a normal kid, with a big dream and a good heart, that gets put through such a mind-blowingly hard trial by fire, it’s a wonder he ISN’T a BIGGER mental case way before he initially breaks. But to see the character pull through, ultimately refusing to let Fletcher win, and having a chance to throw all the anger BACK at Fletcher, was simply genius. And J.K. Simmons delivers arguably the most INTENSE performance I’ve personally ever seen him in. Fletcher is nothing short of a COMPLETE, ABSOLUTE tyrant. And while there ARE moments when we get to see him as something OTHER than that, his initial penchant for making people’s lives miserable in order to find the perfection he’s seeking just cannot stop coming out. What he puts Andrew through the WHOLE film is this calculated humiliation and targeted abuse that was sometimes hard to take in, as you really could not picture ANY teacher being able to get away with it for as long as Fletcher has. BUT, it is this dynamic that allows us to witness some truly nerve-wracking interactions between the two characters, but also culminate in one WHOPPER of a finale. I had read that Teller had some initial drumming background already, but he still practiced at least 3 days/week for 4+ hours to get this role down. And let me tell you folks….IT SHOWS!! There is NO denying that work paid off in spades! The rest of the supporting cast was solid in this, but let’s be honest, this movie WAS for Teller and Simmons. Visually arresting in the rawness of the encounters between the two, the film hurls along at rapid, unrelenting pace, and takes us on its HIGHLY volatile and emotional journey with eagerness and passion. Now, a viewers warning, there is a LOT of language in this, as you can imagine Fletcher’s beratings are NOT full of roses, so simply be prepared. I don’t usually like to sit through this much profanity, but for the sake of story being told, I hate to say it, but it fit and brought the intended point across, albeit, VERY bluntly. In conclusion, “Whiplash” IS a masterfully done piece of indie film work and it deserves the accolades and praise critically that it’s getting. And it most certainly illustrates both the pros and cons of having the kind of drive to see dreams come about, what it costs, and being able to ask oneself if that cost is WORTH the final outcome.
As always, this is all for YOUR consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
