A perfectly timed film from Damien Chazelle.

Rating: 8/10 (9 March 2015)

Damien Chazelle's 'Whiplash' is the story of Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller), a promising young jazz drummer who is under the brutal tutelage of Terence Fletcher (J. K. Simmons) at New York's fictional Shaffer Conservatory.
'Whiplash' is essentially a battle of wills between Neyman and Fletcher, an unhealthy student/mentor relationship that frequently teeters on the brink of collapse. Fletcher uses harsh and disciplined teaching methods, and everyone is scared to death in his presence. His military-style methods work, as his school's concert band regularly wins competitions and breaks students into successful careers.
Fletcher justifies his behaviour with repeated references to a long-repeated anecdote about the young Jazz legend Charlie Parker, who was playing a solo at a jam session with professionals which included the great drummer Jo Jones. Parker played so badly that Jones threw a cymbal at his head, nearly decapitating him. After that humiliation and intimidation, Parker practiced so long and so hard that he came back a year later and made Jazz history with his solo.
'Whiplash' is a simplistic film about the Jazz world, Neyman plays a lot but you never see him in any other band such as his own, he doesn't jam with his fellow students, which seems odd when a drummer can't function in a jazz band without others. Chazelle is more interested in the lonely and singular ambition Neyman has, and the exposure he will get.
The abuse of power is central to this film, Fletcher wants to teach Neyman to take responsibility and to prove himself. But where is the line between motivation and abuse? Fletcher is looking for his own Charlie Parker, the question is whether Neyman will cut it.
For all its flaws, 'Whiplash' is a film worth watching. It's snappy pacing is as sharp as Neyman's drumming, and equally well executed. Both Fletcher and Neyman have questionable motives who are as bad as each other, and their relentless battle keeps you riveted and often amused. Teller and Simmons are both perfectly suited in their roles, and the latter steals most of the scenes with his barrage of verbal abuse at his students. A perfectly timed debut from Damien Chazelle.