“There are no two words in the English language more
harmful than "good job".”

Whiplash
is a musical masterpiece which revolves around a music student who wants to
become a top-notch drummer - ‘One of the greats’ and his authoritative and
cut-throat music mentor. Director Damien Chazelle,who has also written the
script, has done a fantastic job in his very debut at directing a motion
picture. Lead actors, Miles Teller and JK Simmons, give brilliant performances
and steal the show by giving a tremendous justice to the script. The film is
filled with edge of the seat moments complemented with tightly edited scenes.
Ingrained in the movie is a deeply personal message which tells us what goes in
mending of an artist.

Whiplash
is a strictly character and acting oriented movie, and is strong, inspiring and
electric despite being a low budget production. Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller)
studies music in a fictional Shafer Music Conservatory and drives inspiration
from Buddy Rich, one of the most influential Jazz drummers of all time. Movie
begins when Terrence Fletcher (JK Simmons), a respected teacher at Shafer, who
also has his own studio band, stumbles upon Andrew while he is practising his
drums. Andrew’s talent and passion falls in the gaze of Terrence Fletcher who
is looking for players for his own well-respected band.
We
get a peek into Andrew’s life, his family and his dedication towards drumming.
The movie has got some of the toughest drumming pieces and Miles Teller, a
drummer himself, executes them brilliantly. Sources tell he used to practise
drumming for Whiplash 4 hours each day for 3 days a week. Needless to say, the
amount of precision while playing the pieces required in movies like these is
paramount and Miles has performed most of the drumming pieces in the movie
rather beautifully. However, JK Simmons is the one who steals the show. His
fearsome, abusive and merciless character has a underlying depth which
ironically makes a viewer drawn to his character. Simmons won an Academy award
for Best Acting In a Supporting Role.

Fletcher
likes to tell this story about how Jo Jones threw a Cymbal at Charlie Parker
when he had messed up which ultimately led him to his breaking point at which
he became The Bird. His philosophy is justified by his own dialogue, “There are
no two words in English Language more harmful than ‘good job’. And so he makes
no hesitation abusing and discouraging Andrew, even after seeing a vital
improvement in his performance. JK Simmons gives a jaw-dropping performance
handling the role this commanding and brutal.
We
understand about Fletcher’s giant thirst for perfection in the infamous ‘Are
you rushing or are you dragging’ scene. “Not quite my tempo”, exclaims Fletcher
as he cues Andrew to play a particular piece multiple times and all of a sudden
hurls a chair at Andrew’s head for playing the note wrong. “Are you rushing or
are you dragging” he screams at Andrew’s face as he slaps him demonstrating if
he was rushing or dragging.
Speaking
about one of the best element in the movie, the editing and sound mixing razor
sharp. The cuts of pages turning, instruments playing and Fletcher’s finger
tips cuing his band are splendidly clean and in a perfect sync with the notes
played in backgrounds.
“Whiplash”
speaks about absolute dedication and sacrifices that must be made in forging a
great artist. The scenes in which Andrew is shown practising till his face is
drenched with sweat and blood trickles from his hands, will send shivers down
your spine. Andrew’s passion for drumming borderlines obsession and he is ready
to go to any limit to fulfil his dream of being “one of the greats”.
The
conversation between Andrew and Fletcher in the bar where Fletcher is invited
to play the piano, reveals a softer and empathized side of Fletcher. He
explains his side to Andrew and justifies his behaviour. Fletcher adopts the
“push harder” teaching style as he aims to make his students achieve beyond
they had ever expected; to push them to reach greatness. The single most
important thing for his character is perfection in what he does and rest all
has no meaning.
Photo Credits :
https://archive.nyafuu.org/vp/thread/35142023/
Another
powerful scene unfurls itself in the final few minutes of the movie. Andrew is
devastated as he has been tricked by Fletcher and his drumming career is over
even before it began. He walks out of the stage mid-performance. He meets his
father backstage and hugs him and his father says “Let’s go home”. Suddenly
something inside Andrew moves and boils. He turns back and returns to the
stage, takes his seat on the drums and starts playing them, cutting off
Fletcher announcing his next performance. Fletcher barks at him for stealing
his show but Andrew just keeps playing. Eventually, Andrew’s performance
becomes so appealing to Fletcher that he cues him to the right notes. In rapid
and elevating notes, where Andrew hits all the notes with utter grace, both
student and his mentor seem to find the right groove and put their hearts in
the performance.
According
to some people, especially musicians and other jazz-savvy folks, the Jazz that
Chazzelle has used in the film is mediocre. Some say, the idea of Jazz in
Whiplash is absurd while some say that Fletcher’s justification of not saying
“good job” to an artist is ridiculous. Personally, even I think the “good job’
philosophy lies rather in a grey area. Appreciation and positive motivation are
crucial in the making of an artist.
How
far must one push oneself to succeed? How far can you push someone else to
excel? What goes in the creation of the ‘great’? Are the important questions
that Whiplash raises. Miles Teller and JK Simmons giving probably the best
performances of their careers, make this musical, sharp and intense. Damien
Chazzelle had said he wants the movie to be a “editor’s showcase” and it
absolutely is. Whiplash makes a strong commentary on tremendous effort and
dedication required to achieve your dreams.