Whiplash

Watched: 21st October 2016

Top 250 Position: 45
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 (by 417,238 users)
Correct at 22nd October 2016

Who's in it:
Miles Teller
J.K. Simmons
Paul Reiser
Melissa Benoist
et al.

Directed and Written By: Damien Chazelle

Year: 2014

Duration: 1 hour 47 minutes

Accolades:
Won 3 Oscars-  Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (J.K Simmons), Best Achievement in Film Editing (Tom Cross) and Best Achievement in Sound Mixing (Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley).

Nominated for a further 2 Oscars, Best Motion Picture iof the Year anf Best Writing , Adapted Screenplay.

Plot:

Andrew (Teller) is a young drummer enrolled at prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York. One day while practising he is noticed by Fletcher (Simmons), a well know and demanding professor. Soon Andrew is invited to join Fletcher's Studio Band, even if it is as an alternate Andrew wants to make the most of this opportunity.
But how far is Andrew willing to push himself, and be pushed?

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• Part of the film is based on director/writer Damien Chazelle's experience as a band student in high school. In a Q&A after a screening, Chazelle stated he was intimidated by his band instructor's presence.
• J.K. Simmons has won 47 awards for his role as Fletcher.
• The film is one of the lowest grossing movies ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
• The film was shot in 19 days.
• Miles Teller During the more intense practice scenes, the director wouldn't yell, "cut!" so that would keep drumming until he exhausted himself.

Source IMDb.com

Review:

So this movie has been a long time waiting to be watched in the mountain of DVDs that I need to see. But instead of the dubiousness I have approached some of the movies I've watched with I was looking forward to this one.
I remember a lot of the hype around it when it was released and then won three awards at the Oscars.

It is rather intense in spots, but it has to be to show the demanding nature of Simmons' character. Without this you might just as well have a film about a lad who is good at drumming, and never has any challenges on this. That would be a pretty boring movie.

The movie shows the abusive nature of Simmons' character very well and he performs his part with expert ease. No wonder he won an Oscar. But then it begs the question as to why Miles Teller was never recognised in the same manner, his performance (including musical performances) as very well rounded, believable and performed well. His character sums up well what so many young people in music groups think, is he really good enough? What more does he need to do to be selected?
Trust me, as a person who spent a large majority of their teenage years in Orchestras I saw this in so many young people. I have to say I thought there were more important things in life, but this isn't the case for everyone. Andrew's character brings these thoughts and apprehensions to life.

The two main characters are polar opposites. Andrew is soft spoken yet talented at his chosen craft. Fletcher wanting to get the best out of his performers, with maybe not the most liked methods, but is he really deploying them for the wrong reasons? In his own words, 'there are no two words in the English language more harmful than "good job"'.

The final scene/performance is long, which I see a lot of people in reviews think is too long, but I think it needs it. It's a climax of the movie, like an overture building to something that will keep people on the edge of their seats wanting more of, or being unable to restrain themselves from a standing ovation when it finishes. It is the perfect way of showing where Andrew has come from and what he is and could be.

This movie isn't all doom and gloom and slapping and shouting. There are moments of subtle humour from all of then characters which helps to lighten this movie.

Overall I liked this movie. It begs the question; should you settle for not quite your best?

As for the position in the top 250? This is the only thing I might have some issues with. Yes it is a very good movie, but I'm not sure if I would include this in the top 50 of the 250. But then we all have our opinions.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/