Whiplash: Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle, Starring: J.K. Simons,and Miles Teller11/28/2014 This film throughout most of it's runtime brought out one feeling. An anxiety that makes your chest tighten,and your adrenaline go. This is Whiplash's strength,and the fact that the actors keep it together throughout most of the film is impressive. I did say "most" though. Miles Teller plays Andrew a drummer who is trying to be the next great drummer. J.K. Simmons is an instructor that finds him one day practicing,and invites him to be part of the stageband. And then the film buckles down. This is a harsh film that is not afraid to mess with you. Miles Teller is not quite the best he's been (The Spectacular Now), but he hits all the right notes in his character going down in flames. Simmons is spot on as the instructor Fletcher,and is intimidating as hell. Throwing chairs,and yelling the word "F***" whenever he can. He's nice at first luring you in with his stories,and then he just blows up. His work does make him a great contender for Best Supporting Actor,and he doesn't miss a beat. You know I used the phrase "blow up" before,and that is just about the best word to describe this (or at least the first 2 acts). The film builds,and builds until in a moment that almost made my head explode Andrew explodes lashing out. It's a fantastic,and extremely satisfying scene full of tension in which you see the limit a young man wracked with anxiety can go. And then the title happens. The title as we know is Whiplash. This film as I've been saying is so intense,and fast that it's a rush. Well at this point suddenly the film slows down. And that's when we get some whiplash. The difference in tone at this point is so different from what we have come to expect from the film that it is a little jarring. Oh, but the film picks up,and there's a surprising twist concerning the actions of the characters. It's a slower burn,but it's not bad. I would like to mention that the drumming is fantastic. I have been hearing that Miles Teller did all of the drumming in the film,and I am wildly impressed. This is an incredibly exciting film that should not be missed. I give Whiplash a 9 out of 10.
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December 2017
CategoriesAuthorHello welcome to FilmAnalyst. My name is Stephen Tronicek, and I really like movies. This is a way to get my opinions out to people. Thank you for visiting. |