Oh my god.
That is basically all I can think after watching Damien Chazelle’s jazz-centred wonderfully intense gem of a film. This film follows first-year music student Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) as he is inducted into a jazz band led by Terence Fletcher (JK Simmons) and is pushed to the absolute brink due to Fletcher’s violent and unforgiving teaching style.
I don’t think I’ve ever been as emotionally and physically exhausted after watching a film, albeit in the best possible way. That last scene (I won’t spoil it, I promise) had my heart beating way too fast, and it concluded in such a way that left me almost emotionally scarred. It was both beautifully tragic and incredibly satisfying, which will absolutely make sense when you watch it (please watch it!)
This Academy Award Best Picture contender was adapted from a short film and has a story that is both original and captivating. Unlike so many cliches that films slip into nowadays, Whiplash steered clear of the ‘good guys’ by twisting the characters in a way that made it almost impossible to root for anyone. Also, the intricately crafted ending (which some may class as ambiguous) was too complex to be the textbook ideal of a happy ending.
Miles Teller delved into his character, and portrayed Neiman with a scorching intensity that makes the movie what it is. He has volatile chemistry with Simmons almost immediately, and each scene featuring the two of them (so basically most of the film…) is a glory to watch. But, as his Best Supporting Actor nomination at this year’s Academy Awards suggests, this film rests on the more than capable shoulders of Simmons. With a Golden Globe in hand and the backing of a multitude of critics, Simmons is a the glaring favourite to win the Oscar. Rightly so, as he portrayed Fletcher with the tight precision of a genius, and the terrifying ferocity of a madman.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who can understand the depth and twisted morality of this film, or just someone who wants to get their heart pumping. Whilst I found it difficult to watch at certain moments, it was wonderful and a must-see. It gets four and a half popcorns out of a possible five.
(Photo courtesy of IMDb)
Girl with the Popcorn 