Movie Review: Whiplash

How far would you go to achieve greatness?

By Cheah Wenqi

PHOTO: Sony Pictures Classics

Whiplash

Drama [NC16]
Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons
106 min

A drive to succeed and the desire for greatness can make, break, or even leave you stranded in solitude. In Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash, achieving greatness means walking through lows and coming out even stronger. With a gripping story supported by stellar performances, Whiplash’s take on a music feature film hits all the right notes.

Whiplash follows the story of 19-year-old Andrew Neiman, a talented drummer willing to go to hell and back to see himself standing among the ranks of jazz legends like Buddy Rich and Jo Jones. Enrolled in the fictitious Shaffer Conservatory — one of the best music schools in the world — Neiman is personally chosen by esteemed band head Terence Fletcher to start as an alternate drummer in the school’s elite studio band.

The story, however, is not quite as rosy as it seems. A terror of an instructor, Fletcher rules and teaches by fear, claiming that the ends justify the means when his students are stretched far beyond their limits. Under his tough and regimental methods, Neiman yearns for Fletcher’s approval and is constantly pushed to the breaking point.

Drumming is the driving motivation behind most, if not all of Neiman’s actions — illustrated by the sound of fast-paced drumming in almost every scene, whether during rehearsals, in Neiman’s free time and even on the bus. Despite his passion that borders on obsession, however, Whiplash is less about music and more about ambition, desire and perseverance.

While Neiman’s obvious talent is hard to ignore, Whiplash emphasises the tears, blood and sweat he sacrifices in order to achieve success. The film gives little attention to romantic love, and instead focuses on his intense relationship with Fletcher that blurs the line between upholding high standards and abusing of authority.

Challenging traditional notions of student-mentor relationships in the film, Whiplash injects a visceral realism that moves it away from conventional music prodigy films. It does not sugar coat the sacrifices Neiman has to make in order to reach greatness. Instead, it sheds light on the necessary pains greatness will require.

As the closest thing to an antagonist Whiplash might have, J.K Simmons delivers an award-winning performance as Fletcher, commanding your attention whenever he steps on- screen. His spine-chilling glares and hurls of verbal abuse are reminiscent of Gordon Ramsay, and his morally ambiguous code of ethics forces audiences to question if hardship is the only way to greatness.

In an early scene, Fletcher displays his mastery of manipulating emotions as he demands to know which member of his band played out of tune. The tension that he effortlessly creates during his search is cemented for the remainder of the film’s 106-minute duration.

With such high intensity, there were multiple times where the dripping blood and twisted looks of pain were almost too much to bear, but Miles Teller’s stunning portrayal as Neiman will be sure to touch and inspire audiences. With grit burning in his eyes and determination carved deep in his thoughts, Teller perfectly encapsulates the dedicated yet tortured drummer.

Well paced, well timed and topped with a well thought-out script, Whiplash builds itself up to be a great screenplay that ends on its highest note. With scenes strung tightly together emphasising its clear direction and smart focus, Whiplash redefines what a music feature film is and pushes it to a whole new level of intensity.