Film Review: Whiplash

What does it take to be the greatest? What would you sacrifice for greatness? Whiplash held me firmly in its tight grip from the start and it never let go.

I hadn't heard much of this film, I only knew it was about drumming. And in a general way, that's right but it in a more accurate way I was wrong, ignorant and wrong some more. Andrew (Miles Teller) is a freshman student at a prestigious Music Academy who is given the chance to learn from the best and most terrifying music teacher you will EVER meet.

The film revolves around J.K. Simmons' performance as the intimidating teacher Mr Fletcher who believes being hard on his students brings out their best. When Andrew plays for Fletcher, Simmons manages to transform into that teacher everyone had who scared the pants off you at school. If you don't live up to his expectations you are crushed by his acerbic put downs or he throws instruments at your head.

Andrew must withstand Fletcher's insanely high expectations where he impresses and disappoints him on a whim. The relationship between the ambitiously masochistic Andrew and the relentlessly abusive Fletcher is one the most engaging dynamics I have seen on the screen in a while.

This will have you tense throughout the film, which an incredible feat for a film about jazz. It makes for a thrilling watch as you're always wary of what Fletcher will do next to poor Andrew. As the audience you're cheering for Andrew but at the same time wondering why he's putting himself through this torture. Is being the greatest really worth it? The end is a triumph that will have you gripped to the last crescendo. This is a must see for anyone over the age of fifteen. I guarantee!

-Ricardo

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