Not a Love Letter to Hollywood. One to Reality

Rating: 10/10 (30 January 2017)

I guess I should say I didn't like "Whiplash" at all. Or, to be more precise, it was a pretty interesting watch for anyone who's into music in general and jazz in particular. But, on the whole, in my view - a really thin piece of cinema. But this one
Didn't expect it from Chazelle, but it's  simply  beautiful. Not only is it a virtually perfect movie, which carries you along all the way through while surprising at every turn to totally carry away at the end, it's the most beautiful, moving and genuine work I've seen in some really "serious" while. And, as far as I'm concerned, somewhat misunderstood on the both sides of the barricade. That is it has little to do with writing a love letter to Hollywood – for which Hollywood seems to like it so much and so many other people seem to just as seriously hate it (or to modern Hollywood, at any rate – while old Hollywood here should rather be read as a metaphor) . Nor is it supplemented with a forced or 'artsy' finale – another reason for this hate – because it's not just a romantic story. As far as I can see this movie is about so many other things as well. It's about chance and fate, personal happiness and personal integrity, following signs and making your own choices, freedom and responsibility. It's about cause and effect, dreams and reality. About whether this reality is "benignly indifferent" or can be 'on your side'. About what it ultimately is. And what it takes to find and walk your own path through it.
It's impeccably written, immaculately executed and perfectly structured in dramatic terms. The intonation is flawless, no wrong notes. Always organically dramatic, never melodramatic. Good performances (especially Stone). Don't quite remember the last time I saw such meaningful cuts – Eisenstein would be proud. And the last note does last – when the show was through I somehow couldn't get away from the theater and roamed for hours in circles in the vicinity. Then got back for no reason and just sat there in the lobby until they had to drive me out at night. So the stuff stays with you  to say the least -:).
Anyways, if you haven't yet, go and see it. It's there. It's cinema. Not sure about Fellini's "aerodromes" but it looks like some of his random "planes" are still in the air. Hooah!
And a piece of advice – watch the credits up to the very end.