Whiplash

Being a music lover and seeing the film summary, the movie Whiplash was a must see. It turned out to be a phenomenal movie about a first year student at the top music school in the United States who is willing to do whatever it takes to be the best. What really gives this movie its beauty isn’t so much the story, but it’s the actors, the message, and the score.

The Cast

Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons seem to be the perfect opposite for each other. Miles teller being a genuinely young actor just starting to make his name in the industry plays a role in this movie not like his others. Such as his performances in 21 & Over, and That Awkward Moment you see a different more serious side of him here. You see a portrayal of passion for jazz drumming from Andre in such a way you can’t even tell it is acting. The rich dialogue used through out the movie brings a feel of determination and heart. For example, in a scene where Andrew is at dinner with his Dad, played by Paul Riser, he is arguing with him about his future.

Jim: Dying broke and drunk and full of heroin at the age of 34 is not exactly my idea of success.

Andrew: I'd rather die drunk, broke at 34 and have people at a dinner table talk about me than live to be rich and sober at 90 and nobody remembered who I was.

Uncle Frank: Ah, but your friends will remember you, that's the point.

Andrew: None of us were friends with Charlie Parker. *That's* the point.

Chazelle relates this to us as people in the sense that we all want to leave this world and either make a significant impact or be remembered

"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.

“Bob Ellis on the drums!”

The score behind this movie is what brings the life and intensity to the story. The opening scene you here a faint rolling snare drum building up when suddenly "Bam!". Out of black, you see Andrew drumming in the practice hall of Shaffer. The reason this is a very effective scene is because the drum helps set the intensity of the entire movie with the build up from a slow heartbeat, to he speed of a machine gun going off during a war. Justin Hurwitzz, composed the majority of the score for the movie, but the best composition he had was in one particular scene.Fletcher comes into the band room, and he tells everyone to set down their instruments and listen up. He puts in a CD while telling a story about a former student who has recently died. 

This scene is the first time you really see Fletcher as at least a small portion of a regular human being. The song playing on the CD was the student,Sean Casey, performing at his last concert he did. You actually start to feel bad for Fletcher as you here the smooth jazz playing while he tells this heartfelt story.

Nothing in this movie will compare to the closing scene. The drums, band, and drama it has it all.It starts off as Andrew is coming to play for Fletcher after reconciling with him. Fletcher gave Andrew the wrong sheet music for the performance. After humiliating Andrew seeing him leave the stage two seconds later you see Andrew come back with a fire in him to prove himself worthy to play in this band. The closing drum off is beautiful in tying the story to a close, because you see Andrew Finally get the approval he wanted so bad.