After tuning in to this year’s Academy Awards via Twitter and Buzzfeed, I noticed Damian Chazelle’s Whiplash (2014) garnered critical attention winning three out of its five Oscars nominations. Finally over spring break I was able to see the film and was thoroughly impressed. There were many aspects I loved about the film and some that just left me feeling kind of meh, especially the ending.
[WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!]
Concept:
At first, I expected this film to be a film about actual skill and performance, a documentary-esque concert-type film. I was completely wrong. Yes, it revolves around music, but character types and the hierarchy of the music school’s reputation represented common motifs. It was intense, as getting into the top music school in the country should be, and comes with incredibly and unusually high expectations from its students and faculty. As a university student or general student, I think most of us can relate to a time where the instructor singled out a student in front of everyone, creating an awkward atmosphere. It worked and I felt anxious myself watching. The film worked in a relatable manner to get us involved.
Going into the film, I felt I could relate a little bit to music performance. I was a drummer myself during my elementary and middle school years and played with a concert band. Sometimes the instructor went completely mad and downright told us we sucked. My brother also was apart of many concert bands and orchestras as a trombone player and still is today as a graduate student. Fletcher picking on the trombone section at one point of the film was, to me, a slight comic relief as I thought of my brother’s musical endeavors. It related to me on a personal level.
The film also revolved around a theme of perfection. There is no such thing as perfection in the human sense. We want to strive and be the best we can possibly be. There will be sacrifices to be made. And I can somewhat agree with what J.K. Simmons’ character Terrence Fletcher says to Andrew, “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job.’” Being complimented moreover than criticized, I think, leads to an inflated ego. We will think we are the best and know absolutely everything there is to know, but we must accept that we are still constantly learning.
J.K. Simmons’ Performance
Segueing into Simmons’ Oscar award winning performance as Terrence Fletcher, he completely fit the part inside and out. I have nothing negative about his performance; he was cast-typed perfectly. Simmons always had a pushy, extremely in-flexible “what I say goes” attitude about him (at least I thought that), which creates a very intimidating persona. Take a minute to remember his performance as Jonah Jameson in the first Spiderman film; he was an intimidating high status asshole. A somewhat muscular physique and smug looking features further contribute to the asshole personality of Terrence Fletcher, in which Simmons had down pat. Simmons played the part and received the “Best Supporting Actor” Oscar. No complaints.
Car Accident Scene
The film’s editing really sucked me into the story. I got it that Fletcher and Andrew had a feuding relationship but Fletcher promised to bring Andrew to the brink. When Andrew was driving to a performance after the bus he was riding on broke down, I both expected the car accident and not. I expected it in a manner to further make matters even worse and hinder the plotline slightly, leading to more conflict and visually did not expect it because it “all happened so fast.”
The Ending
I’ve heard much hubbub about the ending to this film. I appreciated the power switch between Andrew and Fletcher. As the conductor, he obviously controls the band. Fletcher intended to screw over Andrew since Andrew anonymously kicked him out of Shaffer. Fletcher made Andrew look bad, but Andrew reversed and cued the band in, making Fletcher look like an idiot. As the hero of the film, Andrew took charge and, for the most part, proved himself as being “one of the greats.”
I was blown away by the drum solo, no doubt. I felt that it could have been toned down a bit as it was way too long. I got it that it was a solo, but… again, it was really long and the point was drawn very quickly.
I was hoping to see something further after the final performance of the film. We learned over the phone that Nicole had a new boyfriend when Andrew invited her to his performance. It was Andrew’s hope that he could have his cake and eat it too, but that’s not the case here. I was hoping to see Andrew getting her back after his insane performance as a possible denouement. But I really appreciated the film for what it was.
What did you think about Whiplash? Tweet me on Twitter @MitchGFilms or comment down below!
Thanks for reading!