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Film, TV and Streaming

Review: Whiplash

The film movie lovers everywhere are talking about right not is Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash” – and for good reason.

The basic plot of a drummer trying to succeed at a music conservatory might sound pretty pedestrian. But on screen, “Whiplash” holds some of the most brutal, unexpected tension of 2014. Casting indie actors and setting the characters around jazz, Chazelle’s pet project is the definition of a sleeper hit and then some.

During his first semester at the best music conservatory in the country, Andrew (Miles Teller) has his mind set on being the next great jazz drummer since Buddy Rich. Very quickly he becomes the alternate drummer in the class of the strictest professor in the school, Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons).

Pushing everything else in life aside, Andrew practices as hard as possible to be the core drummer in class. But no matter how much he drums, nothing seems to please Fletcher, to a scary degree.

“Glee’s” Melissa Benoist appears as Andrew’s girlfriend and Paul Reiser plays his dad. Based on a short film with the same title by Chazelle, which also features Simmons, the longer and newer version of “Whiplash” is up there with “Opening Night” (1977) and “Black Swan” (2010) as one of the most stress-ridden films about the entertainment world.

The merciless intensity of Chazelle’s direction and over-the-top scrutiny from Simmons makes you cringe and even wonder at certain points if this is reality, or a sick nightmare Andrew is experiencing. Simmons’ Fletcher joins Karl Malden in “Fear Strikes Out” and R. Lee Ermey in “Full Metal Jacket” as the one of the biggest hard-asses in movies. The performance has won the actor Best Supporting Actor from the Golden Globes and critics associations so far.

Teller is a young actor who has already received critical notice for “Rabbit Hole” and last year’s “The Spectacular Now.” Here he really comes into his own as a musician who isn’t sure if he resents his mentor or wants his approval.

Actually trained in drumming, Teller ups both his music and acting range here on an equally physical and emotional level.

Even with all its award nominations, it’s a shame Teller has been pushed aside in the lead actor categories this Oscar season. The viewer is constantly tempted to look away from Andrew’s very obvious struggle and pain.

If Chazelle and Simmons are lucky enough, they should get Oscar nominations next February for their direction and performance. “Whiplash” is one of the essential independent films of 2014.



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