Whiplash - A Merciful Jazz Film

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2019)

In this psychological film about the rise of a new jazz drummer, the movie perfectly exhibits a dynamic between a wannabe jazz musician and the abusive music instructor. The clash between the two characters, Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) as the drummer, and Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) as the instructor, demonstrates some of the finest acting I've ever seen. Each showing off an emotionally driven performance that captures the reality of their characters and beautifully displaying their strong beliefs on screen. Whiplash has nailed every aspect of a spectacular film.
Set in New York City at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory, and based on real life experiences from director Damien Chazelle, we follow a young ambitious drummer whose looking to make it big with the studio band at Shaffer. He's discovered but is soon bullied by the bands director. Rage cursing and physically abusing, Fletcher is the harshest instructor Neyman has ever experienced but all because he "pushed people beyond what's expected of them."
Developing a character is no obstacle to the director Chazelle. Terence fletcher is the epitome of a nightmare. Derived from a past teacher of the directors, Fletcher crosses the line multiple times with physical and verbal abuse. Throwing chairs, using extensive explicit language and driven by delusion, he believes his actions to be justified by the fact that he just wants the best out of a performance.
The film is built on character development, tense interactions and beautiful musical demonstrations. We see much change in the main characters Neyman and Fletcher as they are pitted against each other for the majority of the film, motivated by their individual drive for greatness. Another major drive in Whiplash is its ability to create tense moments with the interactions between the two main characters. The cinematography is another side that carries this movie beyond expected. In many scenes, but the final performance to be specific, Chazelle demonstrates his incredible ability to capture live music and put it on to film to the deal most visually pleasing experience. The the the the th the the The the the the
Although Damien Chazelle is popular among the musical movie world, Whiplash is a complete 180 turn from his last success La La Land. With a different pace and tone from the movie La la land, Whiplash was "initially written out of frustration" which is clearly applicable to why the characters act the way they do. No jokes, no gags, whiplash fills a serious dramatic role in Chazelle's collection of films. Chazelle has struck a note with his capacity to convey music and film seamlessly.
The finale says it all. Whether you were satisfied with the ending or not, the final scene is the most impressive scene in my music history experience. Capturing amazing acting and great cinematography, Whiplash is not shy of a spectacular film.