No room for imperfection

Rating: Null/10 (12 March 2015)

I watched this movie last week and Im still thinking about it. Unrelenting, overbearing, narcissistic- for both characters, the student drummer and his insecure , driven instructor. It reminds me of the days I spent at boarding school, where some of the masters there were just as unforgiving for any mistake and took you down as far as you could go. As far as the story carries, it is also a supremely done allegory. The protégé, in this case a young man, gaining experience in the face of continual criticism by the teacher.The teacher, though, is way beyond normal- he seeks to destroy any confidence that he may have- even if the student knows he's good enough. But its not enough to be just good enough. The young student, knowing that he can outperform if given the chance while his unbalanced instructor is determined to somehow bring out the excellence demanded by the medium of music- in this case-Jazz. There are no words of encouragement- only extreme criticism, and denigration. What purpose it serves to do that kind of instruction can only make you or break you to the point of self despising.
The movie is very well played, well acted and will keep you thinking about it for a long time.