Whiplash Movie Review

A terrifying but masterful symphony   -by Matthew Cooper

Whiplash opens with the steady pitter patter of a drum roll. It slowly crescendos and accelerates; piano, mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo...and then nothing. Silence. Just a single musical dynamic perfectly captures the tone of the film. Whiplash is increasingly unnerving yet constantly amazing. It's an unrelenting masterpiece that will leave audiences breathless from beginning to end.

In Whiplash, Miles Teller plays ambitious jazz drummer, Andrew Neyman - a freshman at the fictional Shaffer Music Conservatory in New York City. Despite not excelling at the drums and having a virtually nonexistent social life, Neyman aspires to be one of the best musicians in the world and catches the eye of infamous band teacher Terence Fletcher (played by the immaculate J.K. Simmons). Unbeknownst to Neyman, Fletcher is a vicious force to be dealt with and will do whatever it takes to help a student realize their full potential.

Neyman and Fletcher have an unparalleled intensity. Much of this is due to Teller and Simmons, who both give the best performances of their careers. Teller gives Neyman a likeable awkwardness and does an impressive job on the drums (Teller has played since he was 15 years old), especially in the film's breathtaking musical climax.

But as fantastic as Teller is, J.K. Simmons is a revelation. Fletcher is undoubtedly one of the most terrifying antagonists ever put to screen. Like all the greatest villains, his motivations are understandable in spite of his despicable actions. Simmons' Academy Award winning performance is one of the best parts of this masterpiece and will be remembered for decades.

Fletcher’s physically and verbally abusive teachings shine light on Whiplash’s main theme. Is success always worth it? Neyman goes through hell and back to please his foul-mouthed conductor, shedding blood, sweat, and tears in the process. At what point is it all too much? It’s a topic that Whiplash isn’t afraid to cover and a bold choice for writer and director Damien Chazelle’s first film.

Although Chazelle is new to the film industry, he shows no signs of inexperience. His screenplay is spectacular. It’s emotionally resonant, anxiety inducing, and very original. Chazelles directorial style is also stunning. Whiplash is filmed in a very unique way. Chazelle utilizes extreme closeups of drum sets, brass instruments, sheet music, and bloody hands, as well as sweeping shots of Shaffer’s studio band to make the movie feel alive.

Film editor Tom Cross also has a lot to do with Whiplash’s style. The film features quick cuts, often synced with the music, and feels consistently electric. Perhaps no other film uses editing so perfectly to capture its subject matter because Whiplash is jazz.

Throughout the 107 minute running time, Whiplash never slows down. It’s a movie that is always raising the stakes and rarely gives the audience time to breathe. Whiplash is an audacious tour de force that never misses a beat.