Very Good Acting and Energy, but ridiculously misplaced

Rating: 4/10 (17 February 2015)

Before I start, I'd like to say I am a musician and I do appreciate jazz. That being said, I do like the music in this film. But that's about the only thing I did like.
The story is very original, but ridiculously unrealistic and far-fetched. Honestly, if a college professor verbally, and even more importantly, PHYSICALLY abused students, they would be fired at the snap of a finger. Tenured or not, their career would be over.
The acting is extremely good. J.K. Simmons did a very good job. But the energy was badly misplaced. Terrence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) is a JAZZ TEACHER AND CONDUCTOR! NOT A MARINE DRILL SERGEANT! There is no need for that amount of intensity, no matter how prestigious the school may be.
And honestly, who would break up with a great, beautiful girl to focus on trying to impress an abusive teacher? I wouldn't. It's just dumb.
My biggest problem with this film is the car crash scene. He got t-boned by an 18 wheeler and overturned. He should have been concussed and bones should have been broken. Instead, he's fine and decides to go perform. Stupid.
At the end, Neimann is kicked out of school and Fletcher is out of a job, but for some reason, even with all that bad blood, they decided to get together and perform, which was just a setup by Fletcher to humiliate and embarrass Neimann. Highly unlikely. But then he kicks ass on drums and impresses Fletcher? That's stupid, too! IT VALIDATES ALL OF THE ABUSE FLETCHER PERPETRATED IN THE FIRST PLACE! It just ends with such a horrible message.
It's a good film, just not my taste. Well acted, but everything about it's intensity is badly misplaced.