Writer/Director: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons and Paul Reiser
‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’
Teachers are powerful figures that play a role shaping students’ futures. Everyone can recall fond memories of teachers that shaped their identity. It’s hard to forget professors paving the way for our success by inspiring us to seize the day. From a personal point-of-view, teachers inspired me to make my dreams come true. Throughout my life, teachers are role models that have motivated me to achieve dreams I am passionate about. For instance, in high school I remember forming a bond with my math teacher. He was a cruel teacher that would treat students with ridicule. Always in a foul mood, he would often take out his frustrations by bullying students. Despite his short temper, my teacher motivated me to achieve academic success. Through his valuable words of wisdom, I achieved my goal of graduation. Years later, I am often drawn towards movies which portray the lives of teachers reminding me of high school professors I treasure.
Few movies I’ve seen have captured roles teachers play changing students’ lives in a flash as powerfully as “Whiplash”. Released in 2014, Damien Chazelle’s Oscar-winning movie captured the lives of jazz music teachers that shape students’ destinies. Chazelle painted a powerful portrait of jazz music teachers that motivate students to achieve goals. Boasting breathtaking musical sequences, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a magnificent masterpiece. At the centre of it all are a pair of powerful performances from Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, creating a compelling student-teacher relationship. Ultimately, it delivers a powerful message impacting everyone that has formed strong bonds with teachers at an early age. Like breathtaking melodies composed by jazz drummers, it’s a powerful tribute to inspiring teachers. A mesmerizing masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why it’s a movie that’s worth watching.
Set in New York, “Whiplash” tells the story of a jazz drummer developing a complicated relationship with his band instructor. Miles Teller embodies Andrew Neiman, an aspiring drummer seeking success in a music school. Andrew is thrilled when he’s given the opportunity to be taught by the band instructor Terrence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). However, Andrew’s dreams of becoming a successful jazz drummer are destroyed when he’s abused by his teacher. Adopting an abusive teaching style, Fletcher pushes Andrew in unethical ways that are hostile. Forced to work harder than ever, Andrew struggles to please his demanding teacher. Under extreme pressure, Andrew questions whether it’s possible to become a successful drummer.
Damien Chazelle is fascinated with jazz musicians. Before directing “Whiplash”, Chazelle once had dreams of becoming a jazz drummer. He sought to make his dreams come true by attending a renowned music school taught by demanding teachers. With “Whiplash”, Chazelle drew from his personal experience to create a powerful portrait of jazz instructors. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of jazz music teachers, but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, Chazelle captures a jazz drummer’s journey to achieve success in a musical conservatory. Chazelle effectively uses camera angles to capture a cruel band teacher abusing his authority. Low camera angles capture Fletcher’s intimidating nature as a music teacher in a position of power. In stark contrast, high camera angles emphasize Andrew’s helpless nature as a music student that’s treated poorly. Camera angles elevate the tempo scene. During this memorable scene, Andrew’s life hits a crushing low when he’s bullied by Fletcher for not reaching a tempo. It brought back memories of my high school math teacher that often abused authority by treating students poorly. Through breathtaking visuals, Chazelle creates a teacher-student relationship that’s engaging.
Another admirable aspect of “Whiplash” that contributes to its success is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well-made. Chazelle stages exhilarating musical concert scenes using live drumming. In most movies, actors don’t actually learn how to play instruments. However, “Whiplash” is an exception. Miles Teller actually learned how to play drums for the movie, and this pays off tremendously. For instance, live drumming elevates the final concert sequence. During this exhilarating scene, Andrew performs an entertaining drum solo in a concert to impress his band teacher that’s demanding. One appreciates live drumming bringing to life a musical concert that’s exhilarating. The result is one of the greatest endings to a movie I have honestly ever seen. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Justin Hurwitz’s music is integral to the film’s success. It’s a beautiful celebration of jazz music that enhances the film to another level. Through awe-inspiring production-design, Chazelle celebrates jazz musicians that shine.
Amidst thrilling jazz drumming scenes, “Whiplash” finds plenty of time for telling a story that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses symbolism to capture strong bonds between a student and his band teacher. Chazelle’s screenwriting strength is using symbolism to capture the positive roles teachers play in shaping lives of students. Throughout the movie, Andrew’s drum set becomes a strong symbol of his relationship with his instructor Fletcher. The drum set represents Andrew’s desire to be accepted by his demanding teacher. The symbolic role of the drum set is clearly evident in the jazz bar scene. In this unforgettable scene, Fletcher and Andrew have a candid discussion bonding by discussing their love for jazz drumming. It reminded me of my powerful bond with a celebrated teacher giving me a love for subjects I appreciated. Through this strong symbolism, Chazelle captures positive roles teachers play in making students’ dreams come true. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. Stephen King’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested symbolism elevates literary adaptations. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Through a spectacular screenplay, Chazelle captures roles teachers play in lives of students today.
One admires astonishing performances. The film offers a stunning showcase for its two stars, who create a believable teacher-student relationship.
Miles Teller delivers one of his best performances as Andrew Neiman. Teller achieved appreciation for playing heroes in romantic comedies. With “Whiplash”, however, Teller took on his most demanding role. It isn’t easy to embody a jazz drummer seeking success, but he succeeds. Not only did Teller learn how to play drums for the role, but he uses expressions to capture a drummer facing an emotional toll. With meaningful expressions, Teller captures angst, determination and perseverance of a jazz drummer seeking to become successful. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest young actors working in Hollywood today.
J.K. Simmons is spectacular as a cruel band teacher whose abusive behaviour puts jazz drummers in danger. In an Oscar-winning role, Simmons pours his soul into an abusive teacher driven to achieve his goal. As Terrence Fletcher, Simmons expertly uses his commanding voice to capture the demanding nature of an uncompromising music teacher. Whether he’s loudly screaming insults at Andrew for missing a tempo or silently grieving loss of a student, Simmons uses his authoritative voice to create a teacher that’s frightening. It’s a powerful performance that captures the role teachers play in shaping students today.
Finally, “Whiplash” composes memorable jazz melodies that everyone would enjoy listening to. Unlike most movies about jazz music, it’s one of those rare films everyone would relate to. The movie tackles relatable themes including ambition, career and mental health. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of jazz music to appreciate the movie. Despite focusing on a jazz instructor, everyone would identify with the film’s message about teaching. It delivers a universal message which would engage everyone guided by teachers at an early age. Therefore, “Whiplash” is one of those rare movies about music everyone would adore.
Fans of musical dramas will definitely appreciate “Whiplash” and so will movie-goers giving acknowledgements to teachers. A mesmerizing musical masterpiece, it captures strong roles teachers play in ensuring students’ well-being.
As strong as Andrew’s desire to become a successful jazz drummer, it has motivated me to move on years after relationships with a beloved teacher that would engage in cruel behaviour taking out his temper on students ended in disaster by celebrating heartwarming memories of a professor that changed my life by playing a significant role in securing my prosperous future whose larger-than-life presence I’ll forever treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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