Painfully Inspiring Masterpiece, Whiplash will leave its mark on you.

Rating: 9/10 (26 January 2015)

In Whiplash, Miles Teller plays Andrew, a freshman at a very prestigious and exclusive music program in New York. His talent and work ethic gets him noticed by Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) who invites him to be part of the schools award winning jazz band. Although once a part of the band Andrew learns how extreme Fletcher's teaching methods are in getting the great performances he demands. Don't call it a comeback J.K Simmons has been here for years. J.K. Simmons has been the unsung hero of movies for years. It's great to see the man get his day in the sun. From Juno (2007), Extract (2009), Up in the Air (2009) to the Spiderman franchise J.K. never disappoints. He plays grumpy sarcastic to an art form. In Whiplash we get the J.K. we love at fever pitch. He is the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket (1987) and a little of Gene Wilder's Willie Wonka (1971) without the whimsy and all the sadism. J.K.s is a phenomenal stand out performance that transcends the movie and creates this force of nature character that is unforgettable. Not to take anything away from Miles Teller. His drive and determination are similar to Rocky (1976) or Rudy (1993). This film is inspirational on par with them. Relative new comer director Damien Chazelle nails this film. His tempo is right on key, this film does not drag or lead. It is air tight storytelling at its finest. It's also great to see Paul Reiser getting some work. He is great as Andrew's father Jim. I also think that after watching this movie, I have a new found respect for drumming. Gone are the days of me using the drum solo at concerts to go use the restroom. This film really inspired me. Have you ever had a boss, mentor, coach or teacher who pushed you to the edge? Someone you grew to despise because of how hard they were on you. If so, you must see this movie. There is a line in the film where J.K. Simmons says, the worst thing you can tell a person is "that's good." We live in a society that gives way too much credit to mediocrity. This film is a harsh commentary on America's, everyone gets a trophy policy. To sharpen a knife you need a hard surface to sharpen it against. Some may say J.K. Simmons character Fletcher is a bully in this film. I say we need more positive bullies. Now I'm not taking about jerks who pick on the handicapped or beat up small kids for their lunch money. We need mentors who will push people to their limit to get greatness. To steal and alter a quote from Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglas) in Wall Street (1987) "The point is, ladies and gentleman, that Bullying, for lack of a better word, is good. Bullying is right, bullying works. Bullying clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.And bullying, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA." Now it's amusing to transpose bulling and greed for the sake of a point here, but that is the overall message of this film. The minute we think we have it all we come complacent, that can be linked to the decline of all greatness in the world. You have to stay hungry and competitive. Another great quote comes from Orson Wells in The Third Man (1949) that I think illustrates this point perfectly. "Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock." Push hard to greatness dear friends. Our great country desperately needs more of it.
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