FilmSnobReviews

Title: Whiplash
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Damian Chazelle
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

What It Is: Andrew Neiman is a brilliant drummer at one of the countries best performing arts colleges. When he is invited to be a part of the best band on campus Andrew run into it’s conductor/instructor Terence Fletcher. A nightmare of a man whose obsession with being pitch and tempo perfect fuels his rants at his band members. When Andrew is on the receiving end of one of these he becomes hellbent on being perfect at every song Fletcher throws at him. So much so that he decides he cannot be with a girl he truly fancies Natalie (Benoist). As he goes through this he begins to crack under the weight of his situation Fletcher starts to turn the fire up and Andrew can adapt or die.

What We Think: There’s so much to love here. From the awesome music which will stick with you until the final cut to the performances especially that of J.K. Simmons who will probably be winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Terence Fletcher. Miles Teller likewise shows he can play with the big boys and lead a film. Newcomer Benoist should be in more things as she’s really great in her very small role. I look forward to seeing more from her. Meanwhile Chazelle is going to be a guy to watch in the chair for years to come. He just gets the material and that’s apprent from the very first scene of the film.

Our Grade: A+, Whiplash is a film that everyone needs to see. Gripping, and engaging from the jump it never lets the foot off the gas pedal, and constantly takes turn you don’t expect. Right until the final frame this film turns into a fight with the tension, created by Chazelle’s brilliant vision behind the lense, combined with Teller and Simmons smoldering pseduo hatred/respect.