‘Whiplash’
A
It takes a truly massive amount of effort and talent to make a movie about jazz drumming one of the best films of the year.
Director and writer Damien Chazelle and his two leads, Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, have done just that with “Whiplash.”
The film tells the story of a collegiate drumming prodigy, Andrew, played by Teller in some of his best work ever, and his struggles with climbing the ladder of professional music under the tyrannical teacher, Fletcher, played nearly perfectly by Simmons.
It’s not just one thing that makes “Whiplash” shine — it’s a collection of several different aspects that each take a step into bold territory, making the whole film feel fresh and aggressively well-done.
Starting with the most basic needs of a good movie, the acting in “Whiplash” is superb, Oscar-quality work.
Teller usually annoys me in nearly every role he plays, but in “Whiplash,” I cheer for him, I feel the blood on his hands as he drums for countless hours, I feel his embarrassment with every one of Simmons’ screams at him.
Speaking of Simmons, he’s also absolutely incredible.
He has a way of gripping in the audience with his ferocious energy that is intoxicating.
Director Chazelle dances with an expert pacing that feels decades more experienced than his tender 29 years of age.
Chazelle’s writing is tight and fluid, with a plot that moves forward naturally and quickly.
But the real star of “Whiplash” is its cinematography.
Placed in the wrong hands, so many detail shots would feel nauseating, but in “Whiplash,” every time you get to ride atop a vibrating cymbal feels like a thrilling experience, and that’s a feeling you get to have often during the film’s brisk 107-minute running time.
The best part of “Whiplash,” though, is the movie’s epic finale — one of the best scenes of this year’s cinema.
I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s without a doubt a scene that alone makes the price of admission worth it.
Even if you know absolutely nothing about music, this is one movie you just can’t miss.
Ike Hajinazarian
