Review by Eric Trent
“Whiplash”
I don’t think any movie ever has, or ever will again rival the sheer stress, tension and anxiety that Whiplash caused me. I was literally drenched in sweat at the end. I was, and still am, completely blown away by this film. This is the epitome of intensity.
The plot is simple. Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) is an aspiring jazz drummer at the most prestigious and cutthroat jazz school in the country. He is hand picked by the school’s top conductor, Terrence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), to join his competition band comprised of the schools best musicians at each instrument. The film focuses on the relationship between Neyman and his teacher, a relationship which grows more volatile by the second. It tells a story of a person who wants to be the best and a person who wants to get the best out of people. If you have ever wanted to be really, really good at something this movie will show you just how far you may have to go.
This film possesses one of the best character dynamics I have ever seen. Teller and Simmons combine to give the highlights of their careers. These two have such an electrifying presence together. Teller is remarkable. He completely sells Neyman’s struggle to become the greatest drummer the world has ever seen. He is passionate, dedicated and driven. But Teller is to Simmons, what Pacino was to Brando in the Godfather: a fantastic performance taking a backseat to a phenomenal one.
Simmons is a force of nature, delivering a powerhouse performance. He reminds me of the drill instructor, played by R. Lee Ermey, in “Full Metal Jacket”. Call this Full Metal Jazz-it. Simmons, nominated for this year’s best supporting actor, delivers the performance of the year He dresses in all black, his face is stone cold, and the boom of his voice is thunderous. Not even the most miniscule musical mistake makes it past his ears and if any of his students don’t fix it on the next try they find themselves in a whirlwind of emotional and psychological torment.
The films writer/director, Damien Chazelle, knocked it out of the park. It’s truly unpredictable and avoids all clichés. The story paints itself into a corner and somehow proceeds to paint itself out. Just when you think you’ve got a bead on what’s happening, everything gets flipped upside down. The film is a master class in editing, sound mixing and acting. The dialogue and story are engrossing. The script is uplifting, scary and ambitious. There was symbolism in the cymbalism. Everything has been crafted to bring the maximum amount of tension to the audience. It’s always a good sign when as soon as the credits roll, you want to watch it all over again.
There just isn’t enough to say about this brilliant piece of work. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t let up from the starting drum roll to the final curtain. I was captivated from start to finish. The final 20 minutes is a tornado of emotions and it ends at the peak of the climax. The ending twist is simply astonishing. The whole film is on another level. Watch it, feel it. I already can’t wait to experience it again.
Whiplash is playing, daily, until February 19th, at the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend.