"Not Quite My Tempo!"

 From the start of this movie I expected it to be like any other music drama , but the intensity brought by Damien Chazelle is nothing like I would have ever expected in a movie about a music major.Having such a strong message it has numerous scenes to back up that message, so much that it was hard to choose which would be the best to describe it. “Not Quite My Tempo!” This quote from the movie sets the tone of Mr.Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons.

This is considerably a proving grounds scene Andrew is auditioning for a part on Fletchers' jazz band as the main drummer. Fletcher doesn't make this easy as he wants Andrew to go faster and push past his limits, and he demonstrates his frustration with Andrew by throwing a chair at his head.

   Another portrayal of Andrews determination to be the best he can be is in one of the many scenes where he is practicing in his room. You see him becoming overwhelmingly frustrated,and he's playing so fast that his hands start bleeding from the constant friction from the drumsticks on his fingers. As well as you see him become so angry he punches straight through the snare drum head. After Fletcher and Andrew have gone their separate ways ending their relationship on not so good of terms. It seems as if Andrew has finally just gave up on his career as a Jazz band drummer. He is walking the streets of New York City eating a slice of pizza when he comes upon a Jazz club with a sign saying, tonights special guest is Terrance Fletcher, so out of curiosity he walks into the club. 

Seeing Fletcher play the end of his set at the club he makes eye contact with his old instructor this being awkward he starts to leave the club. Right before he is able to make his escape Fletcher ask him to sit down for a drink. He begins his conversation by explaining why he was the way he was.Fletcher says,"I don't think people understood what it was I was doing at Shaffer..." as he continues he says,"I was there to push people beyond what's expected of them. I believe that is... an absolute necessity." These lines give you an idea of why Fletcher did the things he did through out the movie.  The most prominent line in his explanation of his teaching method, and why he is the way he is was,"There are no two words in the English language more harmful then Good Job!"

He sees a talent in Andrew that he believes he can bring out by pushing him pst his limits and he compares it to the story he tells about Charlie Parker. Making the message of this movie apparent that to be truly great one must go through true hardship, and push past ones limits.