Powerful, Original, Gut-Wrenching

Rating: 9/10 (5 April 2015)

Where to begin... I saw the preview of this film but went into it without really knowing what to expect. I didn't even know it had been nominated and won Academy Awards, but now I certainly understand why. The acting of both leads was phenomenal which is really what drove the movie, as it was their relationship that it was primarily about. I read only a few other reviews; one of them called Whiplash a study about ambition. I agree with that, and then some. Excellence, perfection, reputation... the main character(s) cared more about these than romance and/or friendships. Given this, I found it very interesting, too, that while there was no overt sexuality in this film, the suggestion of it was there often. Certainly in the use of sexual language, usually in a derogatory fashion by JK Simmons, and also in the intimations of gayness in his character and how he related to the men he taught. (I couldn't help but wonder, are women so absent from the world of jazz musicians?) In fact, I believe part of what was so powerful about the ending is the nonverbal communication that took place between the two main characters and the sexual nature of it (the physicality, the pacing, intensifying, sweating, panting, climaxing). Two people making music together... love of yet another kind? Very powerful.