Thrust into the drumming world of young Andrew (Miles Teller) at the prestigious music academy he has just entered, Andrew dreams of one day, playing for the revered master of the Jazz Division of the school, Professor Fletcher (played by J.K. Simmons).
As luck would have it, Andrew does catch Prof. Fletcher’s eye and is invited into his classroom (a.k.a. the DEN OF TORTURE) to try out to become lead drummer of his jazz band. Prof. Fletcher seems to be held in high esteem by everyone, from staff to students, to parents who hope that he can bring out the best in their young adult, but does anyone really know what happens in his class?
Prof. Fletcher has had a few great students over the years excel to greatness…..problem is, his teaching methods consist of mental and physical abuse, as he pushes his students to achieve greatness at all costs. From yelling and screaming and verbal abuse, to throwing very large objects, Professor Fletcher will only accept perfection from his students, or you do not play FOR HIM.
Andrew is determined to win over Prof. Fletcher, so he practices, and practices, and practices trying to achieve what Prof. Fletcher calls his “perfect tempo”. Andrew is constantly competing for 1st chair behind the drums, which he eventually achieves by knocking out former 1st drummer Carl (Nate Lang). Feeling comfortable in his new seat, Andrew continues to practice long hours, sometimes playing until his hands bleed, striving to be THE BEST. It isn’t long before Prof. Fletcher finds another drumming protégé’ Ryan (Austin Stowell), which he brings in to audition, so now Andrew has to compete daily with two other drummers…..dear God please, make the madness stop!
Will Prof. Fletcher ever be happy with his musicians, or will he just continue to dowel out hate and cruelty in everyone’s direction until someone snaps? Will Andrew end up almost killing himself, just to keep his 1st chair spot in the band? Or will Prof. Fletcher’s “ABUSIVE TEACHING METHODS finally catch up with him?
I give WHIPLASH a B-: Not being a musician or raising one myself, I can only imagine the trials and tribulations that come with the hours of practice needed to perfect your craft. Along those lines, I am only guessing that there are many students out there that have been driven to perfection from having instructors that are forceful and demand perfection at all costs. But it is truly my hope that music instructors as mean, crass and down-right hateful as the character that J.K, Simmons plays in this movie, are truly non-existent, and just a figment of the imagination of writer & director Damien Chazelle – I know, putting on my rose-colored glasses about life once again like I always do…….
WHIPLASH for me became a very disturbing experience, as I found myself hoping that Chazelle did not write this film from his own life experience, as I wouldn’t subject my dogs to this cruelty displayed in this film. But, I also found myself too, beginning to understand the psychosis of what was happening on screen, and that we are each driven by different pressures and outside influences by individuals we come in contact with, as each of us strive for perfection in some aspect of our lives. I personally have never been driven by demeaning, overbearing individuals who seem to enjoy forcing their ill-will upon me in an attempt to push me to achieve anything, so my response to this film, and the “teaching methods” it displays, became nothing but a big turn off for me. So, I know you are now asking yourself, then how did I give it the rating I did…..well….the movie itself was rather enlightening to a world I personally have never experienced. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons gave incredible performances on screen, and I was even pleasantly surprised to see Paul Rieser on screen playing Andrew’s father Jim. All in all, WHIPLASH is a cinematic gem which deserves accolades for its storyline, cinematography and incredible acting – I won’t be surprised in J.K. Simmons gets a few nominations come award season for his portrayal in this film either. And even though I personally just couldn’t get into the CRAZINESS playing out on screen – whether I loved the premise or not – WHIPLASH is one masterfully made film that many viewers may find themselves relating to and even enjoying….
Kathy Kaiser
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 