Whiplash (2014)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser

Running time: 106 minutes

Andrew Neiman is a first-year jazz student at the Shaffer Conservatory, in New York, who aspires to follow in the footsteps of the great drummers, like Buddy Rich. One night, famed conductor Terrence Fletcher hears Andrew practicing and he soon invites him to join the studio band as a substitute drummer. Fletcher’s methods are unorthodox, with use of fear, bullying and tyranny, and a love-hate relationship quickly develops between master and pupil.

J.K. Simmons is absolutely brilliant as the tyrant conductor. He brings such believability to Terrence Fletcher, he makes the character truly frightening. The conductor believes that his actions are the best way to get the best out of his musicians, which makes it all so much more intense. The guy is not acting out this way to be evil, he truly believes in his method.

Miles Teller is also very solid as Andrew Neiman, a young man determined to be one of the greats and willing to put it all on the line to please his teacher, until the breaking point comes.

The story of Whiplash is riveting. Its intensity resides not in the action but in the characters and in the interactions between them. Great story delivered by great actors and put together on-screen by a very talented young director, Damien Chazelle.  

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