Whiplash [Blu-ray] [2015] [Region Free]

One of my favourite films! 😁

...and an enjoyable movie into the bargain!

Brilliant film but the casing got damaged on delivery

This is one of those films that once you suspend your disbelief a very enjoyable few hours is guaranteed. "Whiplash" is the tale of a young drummer 'Andrew Neyman" who is played in a solid fashion by Miles Teller. He comes to study the drums in New York City and develops the obsessive mindset of wanting to be one of the "greats", like a new Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa. Enter stage left the tyrannical teacher and jazz musician "Terence Fletcher" played with such demonic verve and screen presence by the great J K Simmons that everything else in the film is a sideshow. It was lucky that the Oscars gave Simmons the Best Supporting Actor role otherwise he could have sued them under the Trade Descriptions Act. When the two main protagonists come together the story essentially becomes a cross between "Fame" and Full Metal Jacket". It is the tale of a bullying, almost fascistic teacher driving his pupil to brilliance.The problem with the film is that once you set aside the force of nature that is Simmons performance its plot is completely far-fetched. Questions: do drummers bleed all over their kit? Isn't it a sign of bad technique if your hands become so cut up that you can't play? Are teachers in New York allowed to repeatedly hit their pupils, hurl expletives at them and generally behave like Mussolini with a hangover? It is this part of the film that creates all the drama, yet it is also this part of the film that makes it slightly hollow. It begs the question should learning beautiful and towering music be quite so miserable and oppressive?. The fact that this approach resonates with the boot camp ordeals of films like "Full Metal Jacket" and "GI Jane" makes it more than a music film, but it is for you the viewer to determine plausibility.Nonetheless, let us not get po-faced about this. Once you recognise the film's limitations it is a thrilling way to spend a couple of hours especially if you wish to understand the art of the jazz drummer. The film captures the skill, technique, ear, feel, improvisational skills, subtlety and power of jazz drumming and with Simmons providing an acting master class "Whiplash" is a memorable piece of cinema.

Whiplash is a modern day masterpiece. I don't say that often, in fact...never. There aren't enough superlatives to describe the amazingness of Whiplash. Damien Chazelle crafted not just a tense dramatic piece of cinema, but a thematic experience with layered subtext. Andrew is a college student who simply wants to be the best drummer. Terence Fletcher, a renowned teacher at said college, sees potential in Andrew and chooses him to be the drummer in his band, at the expense of emotional distress. This is a brutal character study, absolutely savage. This is about Fletcher as much as it is about Andrew. The psychological battle and the consequential emotional turmoil that follows. I've never been so compelled in a drama ever (and this is my 5th viewing). The strive for perfection amidst the continuous passion that elevates Andrew as a person and how Fletcher uses his passion in attempt to obtain the perfect musician that Andrew hopes to be. The struggle for perfection is difficult in any profession, there is no right or wrong way to achieve this; the question is: "is there a line between gently pushing someone towards a goal or inflicting emotional torture upon them?". Fletcher leans towards the latter, so much so that he actually imposes physical damage to Andrew to test whether he will be discouraged from the harsh reality of perfection or not. The internal struggle in Andrew is excellently conveyed, you can see his passion seeping through the blood, sweat and tears and yet mentally unable to cope with Fletcher's methods. A simple story, but executed with such ferocity and intelligence that it just feels fresh. Damien Chazelle directed the heck out of this. Quick cuts between the musical instruments and nice long takes of Miles Teller and J.K Simmons duelling in anger. Speaking on Simmons, the best performance I've seen in years. Both complicated and terrifying simultaneously, he deserved every award. Teller was near perfect as well, conveying innocence and vulnerability. Look, I can talk about Whiplash forever. It's a masterpiece. End of review.

It's very rare I rate things 5 out of 5 but this movie was perfect in ever way. The right cast for the right story, the right run time, the right setting, it goes on!JK Simmons puts in a career defining performance as a music teacher with extreme teaching techniques who refuses to accept adequacy as part of his orchestra.Miles Teller (also in a career best) is the student striving for greatness as a drummer trying to do all he can to gain the approval of his legendary music teacher.A story about ambition and dedication, this movie really is perfect in telling this story. One of the best I've truly ever seen.

It's a pity i'm not allowed to rate this film higher, but anyway here's my review; it's a true masterpiece of any genre, you don't have to appreciate jazz or be a jazz nut to be engrossed in the way the two leads relationship builds, their respect for each other's position in the pecking order of the music school and how their very different personalities entwine but clash throughout captivate even the staunchist non-music fan, the film reveals to the viewer delightfully how Andrews' appreciation for Fletcher and his sorrow for his ultimate blab, manifests in his character growth, earning his high regard for how his teacher has brought out the talent in him and he seems to hold no malice for Fletcher's teaching methods, no matter how extreme they appear, even Andrew's dedication instill's in him the need to put his personal life on hold to be taught everything Fletcher can give. Both actor's deserve huge praise in the way they portray their character's. Not just the film of last year but many a year, a character study of immense depth and feeling needs to watched repeatably for full appreciation. double that star rating !!