Whiplash (2014)
Cast includes: Miles Teller (The Spectacular Now), JK Simmons (The Closer), Paul Reiser (Mad About You), Melissa Benoist (Glee)
Writer/Director: Damien Chazelle (The Last Exorcism Part II)
Genre: Drama | Music | Jazz (107 minutes)
A steady beat gradually becomes faster and faster and more complex, but it stops when Fletcher enters the room. “You know I’m looking for players,” says Fletcher. “Yes sir,” says first-year student Andrew Neimann. “So why did you stop?” When Andrew starts playing again, Fletcher likens him to a wind-up monkey. “Give me a double-time swing.” As soon as Andrew starts, Fletcher walks out. When Andrew later meets his dad, he says Fletcher wasn’t very impressed. Dad thinks Andrew worries too much. But Andrew’s at Shaffer Conservatory of Music because he wants to be a great jazz musician… not just great, but “A great”… like Charlie Parker. So when he finally gets an invitation to try out for the Studio Band, he knows this is where his career will begin. He even feels good enough to ask out Nicole… “I think you’re really pretty. Would you like to go out with me? Ever?”
Band practice starts at 9AM sharp. Fletcher introduces Andrew… “We’ve got a squeaker today. Neimann’s 19 years old. Isn’t he cute!” No one answers. The music they’re playing today is “Whiplash,” and Andrew’s assignment is to turn pages for the core drummer. A few bars into the piece, Fletcher wants to know who’s off key. Before the episode is over, he reduces a band member to tears. “Why are you still sitting there? Get the fuck out.” After the break, Andrew is going to get a chance to play. But before then, Fletcher gets chatty… maybe Fletcher really does like Andrew… “The key is to relax. You’re here for a reason. Have fun. Relax,” says Fletcher. Then, as soon as Andrew starts, Fletcher stops him. “Not quite my tempo.” The next time, “You’re dragging just a hair… Wait for my cue… You’re rushing… You’re dragging… rushing… dragging.” Fletcher finally hurls a chair at Andrew and yells “Are you rushing or fucking dragging?”
Eventually, Andrew gets a chance to be the core drummer because he knows “Whiplash” by heart and the other guy doesn’t. It turns out that no one is ever good enough to escape the wrath of Fletcher. He’s not just tough… he’s sadistic… seriously sadistic. He sets players up to fail and humiliates them when they do. But Andrew wants to be pushed because he thinks it’s a path to becoming a great drummer. The question is whether Fletcher is pushing students so they’ll be better or is he just a sadistic prick. Whiplash is a whiplash experience for the audience, too. It’s an intense psychological drama with a constant sense of menace. The acting, directing and cinematography are all excellent. In case you wonder if Miles Teller is actually doing the fabulous drumming… mostly, he is. He had some drumming experience previously and then spent 2 months in intense drumming boot camp to learn the kind of drumming needed for the part. The long drumming segments were filmed in segments and beautifully edited together. Anyway, the drumming and the jazz are amazing. Fletcher tells Andrew he wants to “push people beyond what’s expected.” He points out that it’s a standard that’s no longer valued these days. [He has a point.] In his view, “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job.’”
4 popped kernels
A determined jazz drummer and a sadistic teacher
Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Language, Violence)
Audience: Grown-ups
Gender Style: Bold
Distribution: Art House
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises Comfortably
Visual Style: Nicely Varnished Realism
Nutshell: Jazz and psychodrama
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Thought Provoking
