Push It To The Limit

Rating: 9/10 (17 October 2017)

Whiplash is unrelenting and single-minded in its focus, and all the better for it. This could've easily backfire with other films if there are certain elements of the movie that feel undeveloped. Yet, this movie purposely sidesteps this by using it in service of the movie's narrowing conflict and its intensity. Consider how the movie's romance between the main character and his love interest seems tacked on and ends in a giant halt. From the main character's perspective, it's the ambition, the obsession, the sacrifices to make in achieving the all-conquering "success". But at what cost? Yes, the movie at the surface centers around Jazz and drumming. These are depicted through sublime film editing with rhythmic-like cuts and transitions in synchronizing with the music being played and the musician's performance themselves.
But it's not the subject. It's a supplier for these themes which is executed with ferocious passion through scenes with J.K Simmons role as Fletcher. He has a screen presence that commands attention; always ready with his coiled up brutality inside of him that's waiting to be unleashed at any moment to his.
Fletcher is entertaining just as he's frightening. We are not supposed to laugh at these caustic verbal abuse by Fletcher to everyone. But the brilliance of J.K Simmons performance can be summed up where he throws and hurls his insults with such biting creativity that even Gordon Ramsay might send some flowers. I guess this is the film's way in making him redeemable alongside his harsh, cold yet BELIEVABLE (key word) intentions that keep him from making the character completely insufferable.
We already know Andrew is ambitious himself such as his response to lack of social interest as an obstacle, his subtle smirks in his expression whenever his drumming rivals fails and his condescending remarks in the dinner scene. And yet, the main relationship of the movie is between the main character, Andrew and Fletcher which is clearly abusive and toxic. It's curious to see how over the course of the movie, the main character, Andrew, slowly becomes a reflection (or product) of Fletcher in matching his menacingly perfectionist ideal.
It's bewildering that with Whiplash's premise, it can generate such intensity and ferocity where every musicians are performing as if their life is on the line; camera close-up shots continually focus on their hands trembling, sweats all over them. Even most action movies that's more advantageous in generating these emotions, don't match Whiplash's emotional impact.