Whiplash (2014) directed by Damien Chazelle

Whiplash is one of those rare films that you physically need to take a break from about halfway through. Especially watching with someone else, the pressure that builds up is too much and I've ended up sweating and needing water because it can be a bit much. But nonetheless, this film is an absolute masterpiece and, in my opinion, deserved the Oscar for "Best Film" in 2015. It is an anxiety-inducing thrill ride that will leave you begging for more while also being thankful that it's over.

This film is outstanding from start to finish, diving right into the world of Andrew Neiman, Terrence Fletcher, and the insane world of jazz drumming that surrounds them. J.K. Simmons portrays Fletcher, who is a physically and emotionally abusive music teacher that pushes Neiman, played by Miles Teller, to his limit. The greatest performance in the film was by Simmons, and his character was so absolutely terrifying and manipulative that it was difficult to watch at times. While it was crucial for his character, it was so scary to watch Simmons, who usually plays a hardass, reach this level. I sympathize with Andrew so much because I was also in a jazz band and can understand how rigorous but rewarding it can be. Watching this film gave me a horrifying feeling that my band teacher Mrs. Britton would throw a chair at my face. So I guess this film did its job. I enjoyed the performance by Miles Teller as well, because his progression into madness was so compelling to watch. The characters in this film were done very well, and it even earned J.K. Simmons a "Best Supporting Actor" Oscar in 2015.

My favorite part of this film, however, would have to be the editing. I have such a passion for editing, and seeing this film earn the "Best Editing" Oscar made me very happy because of how much it deserved it. The suspenseful editing patterns seen throughout the film utilized the timing of the storytelling very well. The first act two acts of Whiplash take place in the fall semester at the Shaffer Conservatory of Music in New York. The third act, however, occurs at a much later date: in the summer of the following year. This editing decision from Tom Cross, the lead editor, is very important because he chose not to use alternative methods of showing time passage, such as a montage. While a montage tends to be the accepted standard for many other films, Cross chose to show Teller’s character’s defeat and forfeit from the prestigious school that he attended. It was not until the summer that his character took up drumming once again for a final performance with Fletcher, who had been fired. This type of editing is rarely seen in film, as it can appear to be confusing to the audience and make them question why the ending was so unfulfilling. In this film, however, Cross decides to cut to the next summer and present one of the most iconic musical scenes in modern-day cinema to satisfy the audience.

Whiplash is such a fantastic film that I would recommend to not only fans of music, but fans of having a life-changing experience simply watching a film. The performances, editing, and plot are all executed so intricately and beautifully that it would be nearly impossible to not enjoy yourself watching this film. However anxiety-inducing it may be, this film is definitely worth watching.

My Review: ★★★★★