Straight Up Whiplash

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2015)

What does it take to be great? There is only one word to describe Whiplash-INTENSE. It's the story of a young drummer who wants to be great, and an explosive instructor who demands perfection. Today, if you gave me a film fest time machine, I'm going to Sundance 2014. Why, you ask? To watch the tour de force that is Whiplash snag the Grand Jury Prize for Damien Chazelle.
In this picture, Chazelle provides a vision for the future. From beginning to end, it's easy to appreciate his camera and the story it's telling through its lens. Teller and Simmons are masterful, but it's because their action and dialogue is so robust that they're able to pass along overtones of passion and intensity.
Despite a limited release, it's safe to say Whiplash will turn enough heads with its recent Academy Award noms. If you're looking for what I call a perfect storm, you'll find it in this movie. The script is an A, the acting is A, the directing is an A. Whiplash won't just leave you speechless, it will leave you with a healthy dose of adrenaline all day long.