Familiar storyline, elevated by high production values and excellent performances

Rating: 8/10 (28 April 2015)

J.K. Simmons plays Fletcher, a task master from hell in charge of a jazz band at an exclusive school. As told, students of Fletcher's frequently go on to successful careers, but Fletcher admits that he never mentored a Charlie Parker.
Andrew, an ambitious young drummer comes to Fletcher's band with the idea of becoming the best drummer of all time, setting up a classic conflict of arrogant young student versus an instructor who borders on the sadistic. Fletcher recognizes Andrew's talent, but his philosophy is that people have to be pushed hard (an understatement) if they are going to reach the maximum height that their talent will take them. His method of pushing comes by way of trying to intimidate by the force of his menacing personality and telling students they are never quite up to his standards. Fletcher's idea is that unless a student can stand up to his regimen, then they do not have the drive to excel at the highest levels. In order to put up with Fletcher Andrew must have figured that getting his imprimatur would rate highly for future success.
There was not much back-story given for either Fletcher or Andrew and I was left having to fill in a lot of that. For example, why did Fletcher command such respect that Andrew would put up with him? Fletcher could have been a strong father figure for Andrew, since Andrew indicated that his father was somewhat of a failed writer, a writer who maybe had not pushed himself.
I appreciate that Fletcher's abusive style was exaggerated for dramatic effect (at one point he actually slaps Andrew on the face several times), but his military style of instruction is not rare. Only once in my life did an instructor ever get from me something beyond which I never thought I was capable. There was honest criticism, but mainly this instructor was so inspiring that I wanted to please him; I think his approach is to be preferred to that of Fletcher, but almost every day we see sports coaches who have adopted the Fletcher style.
I have no great fondness for jazz and tend to view drum solos mainly as noise, but that did not keep me from enjoying this movie which touches on some broad themes. The arc of the story is familiar and it is mainly the high production values and excellent performances that carry the day.
I wish there had been *some* indication that the people in Fletcher's band were there because they enjoyed making music, rather than primarily being driven there by an ambition to compete.
I came away from this with mixed emotions. It is over the top, but I can't dismiss it.