A Powerfully Memorable Film

Rating: 9/10 (10 November 2018)

It's hard for me to stop thinking about "Whiplash," a stunning independent film ostensibly about a young drummer, but really about unyielding ambition and passion. Miles Teller plays a music student pushed to his limits by a sadistic coach, played by J.K Simmons. It's a film in which Teller and Simmons support each other with shared intensity and tension. That tension becomes the uncredited leading character, which in turn grips the audience through every minute. This tiny film builds and builds, then slides back and blows up with a final frenzied conflict in which both characters connect in shared achievement. Whiplash was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and J.K Simmons scored a a win for Best Supporting Actor, although his heel character was probably the easier one to bring to life. Teller shines too, just a bit more quietly, yet the film would have failed with any other actors in the lead roles. Ya gotta see this one.