Whiplash (2014)

Whiplash Review

Director and screenwriter Damien Chazelle’s 2014 “Whiplash” uses an immensely strong cast and to great effect. The relatively untested Miles Teller stars as an aspiring Jazz legend, Andrew, He is supported by the award winning JK Simmons’. The stellar cast is supported by cutting and deep narrative that questions at which point does practice become an obsession and also how far will and individual go to achieve their goals.

The film focuses on the both the destructive nature of a man and his developing obsession with his pursuit of greatness. It also explores the dangerous relationship that develops between mentor and student, as they push themselves to the limit of their abilities. The film follows Miles Teller’s Andrew through his time at the “Shaffer Conservatory” as he evolves not only as a musician but as a person. We see how his obsession with becoming a jazz legend affects his relationships. His skill puts him directly in the sights of J.K Simmons’ Mr Fletcher, who is looking for a new member of his studio band. What initially seems to be a great opportunity for Andrew develops into a dark game of psychological cat and mouse, as Fletcher pushes Andrew to his physical and mental limits.

The acting from both Miles Teller and JK Simmons is impeccable, and both subvert the deeply ingrained preconceptions of the audience. Teller looks the part of a teen romance star however his portrayal of his characters obsessions and emotional and physical anguish is impeccable. It can, however, be argued that J.K Simmons’ Mr Fletcher is the true star of the piece, he dominates every scene he's in with a bullish and aggressive presence. Seeing as he is a primarily comedic actor it is remarkable that he allows the audience to believe in Fletcher's brand of psychotic ideology. The Film sounds incredible, using fast-paced and unapologetic Jazz music not only to outline the inherent skill of the musicians shown but also serves to reinforce the sense of urgency created by Andrew’s plight. A sense of weight is placed on the audience from the start as the dingy oppressive look and feel of the film, which removes the inherent romance of jazz music, revealing the darker side of music.

Whiplash’s predominant use of diegetic sound reinforce the gritty sense of realism throughout the film, for instance the clamour of the band setting up is used throughout the film as a way to build tension as it associated with Fetcher’s many diatribes. The authentic jazz soundtrack is used to great effect as its manic and unpredictable rhythm reflect the narrative and temperament of the characters. The dingy and subdued lighting that permeates the scenes within Fletcher’s studio add to his oppressive presence on screen. While the brighter light when Andrew interacts with Nicole implicates that their relationship offers more happiness than the band ever could. Sharone Meir’s expert cinematography conveys the twisted narrative in an extremely effective way. She focuses more on the instruments than those who hold them throughout the musical moments, highlighting the skill needed to play to such a level. The theme of obsession is present throughout Whiplash and is key to the understanding of the film. It presents the characters actions as ambiguous and makes the audience as individuals question how far they would go to achieve the best they possibly can be.

In contrast to Fletcher's statement “there is no word more dangerous in the English language than “Good Job”” I can only commend this film as a brilliant and well-rounded piece that allows the viewing audience to question the concept of greatness. To be short, see it.