A compelling film. A feast for the viewer.

Rating: 9/10 (22 February 2015)

One of the most compelling films of the last few months. 2015 just ceases to amaze cinematically.
Andrew (Miles Teller) is a talented drummer at a New York music school driven to perfection by a domineering music teacher Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). Fletcher's at times unconventional methods of improving his pupils ability can be construed as bullying.
Andrew ditches his girlfriend and concentrates fully on his drumming in order to satisfy the 'bully' and gain entry into an elite class/jazz band and become one of the main players.
Teller comes across a bit nerdy and boring. I think it is Fletcher who is the star of the film. Part psycho? His put downs of some of his 'failing' musical students are classic .
J.K. Simmons is unknown (to me anyway!) but he steals the movie and deserves recognition. A battle of musical wits that quite literally draws sweat and blood is set between the two central characters.
Not a blockbuster by any means but one if not the best film of recent times for its original screenplay and performances.