Plus, emotionally draining interactions between the main characters might weigh heavy on your heart and soul. Still, you will be moved. This is a movie you cannot forget. It deserves a poem, so here goes:
This drummer boy strives to be the best.
His goal? To play above the rest.
Will he survive a teacher who
makes students cringe for things they do?
This teacher man shames students all.
He boosts them up then sees them fall.
Both actors here held me enthralled.
Acting, I think their art is called.
Whiplash deserved an Oscar shot.
INTENSITY is what it’s got!
No wonder the 2014 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated the film for Oscars in five categories (Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Mixing).
Ane Oscar went to Simmons for Best Supporting Actor, and I knew he would win. I am glad his dramatic pyro-techniques as a fearless instructor who stops at nothing to push students toward greatness come across as both disturbing and exciting to watch -- or maybe even a bit funny, especially his “not my tempo” tantrums. (Full disclosure: in days of yore I had a debate coach who used similar motivational methods but executed them with a more humane touch.)
Teller puts so much incredible energy into his drum playing that I could almost see his blood, sweat and tears soak through the screen. I had trouble deciding whether to pity his character or to cheer him on – or to do both.
This excellent motion picture deals with the age-old theme of greatness and how far one should go to achieve it. Other movies (sports flicks, I’m talking about you) have explored that issue before – but none with more ferocity than writer/director Damien Chazelle’s impressive Whiplash.
(Although released ed by Sony Pictures Classics in 2014, Netflix will be offering this movie starting on November 1, 2023. The rating is ”R” for strong language including some sexual references.)
