Whiplash - film review
Posted on: 2015-01-27
Our rating:
On paper, a film about a prodigy drumming student pushed to the very limits of his talent by a demanding teacher sounds somewhat cliched and predictable, but it's a masterclass in drama, characterisation and storytelling.
On paper, a film about a prodigy drumming student pushed to the very limits of his talent by a demanding teacher sounds somewhat cliched and predictable. In the hands of director Damien Chazelle and its two main leads, however, it's a masterclass in drama, characterisation and storytelling.
Sure, the premise is simple: Andrew (Miles Teller) is a precociously talented drummer who wants to be in the best band in the college. The hitch? He has to pass muster with coach and conductor Fletcher (JK Simmons), a man who takes skill and musicianship to new, exacting and painfully rigorous levels.
JK Simmons has always been a fantastic actor but he's never been given a role that truly shows off his acting mettle. Whiplash does - and then some. As taskmaster Fletcher he growls, barks, shouts, screams, punishes and reduces his students to a gibbering, emotional pulp in the name of excellence. He's not a particularly endearing character - short of temper, pugnacious, off-the-scale BS detector - but ironically that's precisely what makes him endearing. He's tough on himself and his pupils only because he wants to achieve the absolute best, the pinnacle of musical magnificence.
Teller is equally excellent - self assured, cocky and aware of his talent and pumped with an insatiable desire to prove himself and push his talents to the absolute edge, no matter what the personal, physical cost.
Whiplash is an adrenaline rush of a movie, a raging paean to the personal sacrifice and self-destructiveness art can push you to. Fuelled by sensational jazz, its beating, throbbing aural pulse, the camera whips and pans and cuts to Teller's drums and cymbals with a giddying, relentless energy. Perhaps the only downside in an otherwise faultless movie is the final, protracted five-or-so minutes in which all hell is unleashed as Teller pounds and thrashes the drums with an exhausting, bravura display of musical showmanship.
By that time, though, it doesn't matter. It's been such a thrilling, energising, intense ride, you'll feel so drained yet invigorated you'll want to leap to your feet for a much-deserved standing ovation.
5/5
Reviewed by Jamie Caddick for 365Bristol - the leading events and entertainment website for Bristol
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
