Whiplash Review

School Of Rock

Released : January 16th 2015

Certificate : 15

Director : Damien Chazelle

Cast : Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist

Plot : Andrew (Teller) is a student at the best music school in the country and instrument of choice is the drums. He dreams of being one of the greats, and when he meets conductor Fletcher (Simmons) and become a part of his jazz, Andrew takes a step towards that dream. But Fletcher’s violently aggressive teaching methods test Andrew to both metal and physical limits.

If the film was to be judge simple on its storyline, which is written by director Damien Chazelle, its unique already. As no films worth mentioning come to mind that are about drummers, pianos are the instrument choice of the successful motion picture. Secondly, the few films that do touch on drumming are not famous from attempting to be dramas, or in anyway thought provoking. But the fact that this film focuses around drumming is a fairly irrelevant part of the film, as this storyline can be (and has been) put into any formate. The young student who dreams of achieving perfection in the chosen filed, and the mentor that attempts to take him there, and the friction that occurs.

This particular structure for the pursuit of success with teacher and student, focuses on Andrew (Teller). Andrew’s not your typical student, he lacks in friends, and connects with few people except his father. He’s a drummer at what is called the best music school in the country, and he want to perfect his skills in order to be remember as one of the great drummers. One day he is chosen by the leading conductor present at the school (Fletcher, played by Simmons) to be a part of a jazz band which competes at a national level. Thus giving Andrew the time to shine he’s always wanted, but the only issue that remains is Fletcher’s teaching methods. These methods include verbal abuse, (which ranges from degrading remakes about appearance, family issues and sexual orientation) promoting savage competition between students, violence and physical torture.

Now if one was to read the basic storyline of the film, it would sound unoriginal, the only attraction that the film would get is that the set is a drummer, a profession that hasn’t been explored in many motion pictures. But what maybe makes the film stand out against other such movies about achieving greatness, is the truly poetic screen-writing of Damien Chazelle which provides for an brilliantly layering of themes. His previous experience of writing is Grand Piano, which few will have heard of, and even fewer will have enjoyed watching. But Chazelle has managed to create a film which beautifully tackles an montage of thought provoking topics that surround success. Touching on a range of issue including, teaching methods, the pursuit of greatness, what is greatness, and how far should we be prepared to go. Thus making for a film which is surprisingly soul searching as you observe Andrew unreasonably push himself to his limits, and being pushed over the edge by Fletcher, in order to be the best. So to set aside the entertainment of the teacher / student relationship, the film provides brilliantly refreshing drama about success, unlike many other films where the main character just simple try’s really hard to get good at something, without any exploration of why and how people go about being there own vision of success. Thus making the film stunningly poetic and rich, then there’s the added delight of the show down between between the student and the master. On top of that the film manages to touch on romantic relationships, and how we appreciate them.

So the film is masterful as far as storyline and structure in concerned, proving Damien Chazelle worth as a writer, but could he perform similarly as a director. The question is best answered by the fact that he is able to make scenes in which a boy is smacking a drum set to make a funky beat, more thrilling than almost all action car chases that come to mind. Chazelle has been able to make jazz performances more enthralling and tense than many action films struggle to get close to, regardless of the amount of explosions featured. His remarkable array of movements and incredible attention to detail is truly impressive and makes for riveting view, he’s a better conductor than the musical conducts he film features. His ability to create tension made the scenes when then teacher and student went head to head all the more enjoyable to watch. Not many directors can make a film about jazz so stunningly dramatic.

Encase that the drama provided by Chazelle wasn’t impressive or scary enough, we have the main actors to push the film to the limits that the characters are pushed to. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons scenes together are spectacularly good, both actors not being renowned for giving particularly impressive emotive performance, or portraying complex characters. With Teller coming forma supporting roles in Project X not too long ago, a film that does register on a many critical agenda nor containing notable acting, of any kind. And Simmons, who unfortunately until this point in he’s careerer is most famous for his roles in the first Spider Man series as J. Jonah Jameson, head of the Daily Bugle, in which he performed as a delightfully funny comic relief, but nothing serious. Well both actors have given the performance of their careers (for now). To see Simmons authoritarian music instructor and Tellers striking passionate drummer play it out was magical cinema and acting, making for one of the best double acts of recent years. J.K Simmons performance is electrifying to watch as he pushes his students as he says “beyond what is expected of them”. The character is almost as brilliant as Simmons visceral portrayal of the thought provoking character. Teller might be over looked as Simmons performance is so loud and energetic, but Tellers performance is touching and heartfelt. His short scenes with Melissa Benoist, who plays the Andrews grilfriend, were particularity absorbing to watch, in what is subtle but very interesting romantic sub-plot to the story.

All participants of this film have never done better before in there career by many a mile, or in many other peoples careers. Whiplash is stunning enthralling in is ability to have you on the edge of your seat to the peaceful sound of jazz, which has never been done before, enough to make the film stand out. As well as this the emotional diversity of the film makes for riveting viewing. The core story is dealt with in an inspired way, in many causes leaving audiences with something to think about for possibly a long time after the film has finished. Then on the face of Chazelles masterpieces, are two very stunningly memorable performance. Extra merit for the fact that Teller is a self taught drummer.

Verdict : It seems that Simmons, Teller and Chazelle were as aspired to achieve greatness just at much as the characters of the story, providing an incredible motion picture. Executed just as well as the music featured.

Verdict : 5/5

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