Damien Chazelle's Whiplash has established itself a reputation as an anti-inspirational teacher film, with emphasis on J.K. Simmons scalding and sizzling performance as jazz teacher Terence Fletcher. However, this emphasis in wrong, while Simmons is brilliant, but the focus is on Miles Teller's Andrew Neyman and his work behind the drum kit, this much is established clearly in the opening scene. And while the focus on the inspirational teacher-trope is relevant, it is besides the point of the film, this is a film about dedication, drive, passion, perfection and ambition. Neyman wants to be one of the greats, and so what will he allow to stop him? At New York City's Schaffer Conservatory, Neyman is headhunted into the brutal totalitarian regime of Fletchers Studio Band, and swept in his desire to be in its core competitive band, often putting him at odds with others that he already feels segregated from.
Writer-director Chazelle, with few credits to his name, developed this film from his own 85-page draft and off of the back of a positive response to a related short film that he premiered at Sundance, as well as one of his previous writing efforts, Grand Piano. A single-setting thriller centred around a traumatised pianist (Elijah Wood) playing a concert while being held at gunpoint by a Machiavellian sniper. Whiplash exists in a similar vein to Grand Piano, Neyman is a talented musician held under the thumb of his mentor, and both films have a keen sense of style and direction. Whereas Grand Piano loses itself in it's genre and concept, Whiplash engrosses itself within its own characters passion, dedication and the consequences. And through personal drama, Fletcher's brutal perfectionism, and his own ambition, Neyman grows, challenges, falters and succeeds in equal measure.
Whiplash has a keen directorial style that emphasises the minute details in performance and occasionally life. The short inhale in that one moment of silence before a performance begins, the blood, sweat and tears of dedication, or even the subtle signals of the woman you're on a date with. This film literally emphasises the sweaty passion of these perfectionist musicians and their cutthroat existence at the top, a position rarely earning them any recognition from those outside of the world. Each performance is incredible, and the focus on the drumming, something so naturally bombastic, technically challenging and cinema-friendly, makes for engrossing viewing. The very first performance of the eponymous song is simply incredible, full stop. Each performance is filled with energy and emotion, each struggle with meaning, each moment is therefore life-changing. The focus on solely one character and his experiences actually suits the film, as putting an entire band through the same paces would deny the film of the most vital result of its themes and subject matter, it's undeniable intensity.
And of course I have to post some of my favourite drumming and drummers, sorry, jazz isn't often my thing....,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PATEO4Uomk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG8IioX1dHk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hreNWY3Isf8
Well, sorta......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWKCqn1ExmQ
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