'Whiplash' Review

"There are no two words in the english dictionary more harmful than: 'good job'."

This statement by J.K Simmons' character in the new film 'Whiplash' directed by newcomer Damien Chazelle sums up the basic idea behind the film.

It's the story of a young jazz drummer, Andrew (played by Miles Teller) who will stop at nothing to be ranked with Buddy Rich as one of "the greats". After a brief sample of his playing, a conductor by the name of Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) invites him to join his band at one of the most prestigious programs for jazz musicians. Once Andrew arrives, he fails to impress Fletcher, causing the teacher to verbally, physically, and mentally abuse him over and over again. Andrew will stop at nothing to become the best drummer and to impress his tormenting mentor, no matter how much blood, sweat and tears he must endure. The end result of 'Whiplash' is a brilliant twist on traditional "Inspirational teacher" films, and made me want to stand up and cheer as the credits began to roll.

Miles Teller's performance as Andrew is heart-wrenching and brutal. He's a student with so much passion that he won't admit to the one's he loves when he's being horribly abused. As if seeing this guy get chewed out by his torturous teacher isn't painful enough, he inflicts harm on himself when practicing his instrument. We see Andrew beating the drums with increasing intensity, while he screams profanities, sweats profusely, and causes his hands to bleed. After he's had enough, he slams his bloody fist into a pitcher of ice, just to pull it back out and start the cycle all over again. Teller's tormenter, Fletcher, is brilliantly played by J.K. Simmons, who has rightfully earned an Oscar nomination for his frightening performance. Simmons infuses the character with a sense of menace every time he's on screen. His presence alone is the cause for some of the most nail-biting sequences I've ever seen in a film of this mold. The things Fletcher says to his students are so personal, so dehumanizing, so homophobic, so horribly offensive that you can't help but laugh at just how far he takes his brutality.

Aesthetically, 'Whiplash' is a marvel of editing. The way shots quickly switch back and forth, in a percussive (pardon the pun) manner is incredible. When the jazz band's perform, Chazelle allows his camera to sway back and forth with the beat of the music. Plus, the always-constant beat of this musical genre, fits in so well with the increasing intensity the movie revolves around.

'Whiplash' has garnered a lot of attention over the past few months, and I wasn't able to see it for its original run. I'm so glad they re-released this film in select theaters across the country, because I feel that this is a movie that  works tremendously well with an audience. No matter how dark and intense it gets, the overall path 'Whiplash' takes is similar to that of 'Rocky' and 'The Karate Kid'. Both of those films allow amazing audience participation, and 'Whiplash' succeeds in capturing that attribute. My audience gasped aloud, cheered, and clapped by the time the flick reached its climax.

Intense, violent, thought-provoking, frightening, stylish, human, tragic, brilliant.

'Whiplash' is one of those movies that gives me hope for the future of cinema.

Grade:A+

Review by Josh McCormack