When "Good Job" fails to inspire...

Rating: 9/10 (7 March 2017)

Rarely does a movie hit so close to "home' that you don't know if your assessment is based upon the movie or your own experience. Whiplash pertains atop many facets of life; the definition of success, the outer perception of achievement, the dedication of those who follow a path out passion as well as a personal and pointed view of survival of the fittest (as determined by Herr Direktor). One could say that the simple lesson of whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but that would be too much of an arc. Whatever doesn't kill you can still put you through social and passion crushing hell. That's what I can relate to in our drummer and Conductor, brilliantly portrayed. having personally been embarrassed by my HS musical director in class and on stage, I can tell you that "soul searching" is a perfect phrase for such events, whether they are caused by you (in class) or by the conductor himself (on stage). You don't have to be a Charlie Parker, or have a teacher in search for him to end up with self doubt. Todd Rundgren wrote "They say pain can bring out the artists best" but why is self doubt so necessary to achieve greatness? I bet we really don't know what greatness is...