Whiplash: A Symphony of Ambition and Obsession
A vibrant, poignant, and powerful cinematic battle between a granite block and a sculptor, all set against the backdrop of incredible jazz rhythms.
Andrew, a young conservatory student, relentlessly hones his drumming skills day and night. His goal is to join the most prestigious, successful, and promising jazz orchestra, led by the irascible Terence Fletcher. When luck finally smiles upon him and Andrew gains entry into the world of high-stakes music, he finds himself unable to meet his new teacher’s demanding expectations. These demands are extreme, exhausting, and utterly draining. But according to Fletcher, this is the only way to transform a promising artist into a true star.
The Genesis of Whiplash
After Chazelle’s script made the “Black List” in 2012, the director filmed an 18-minute short film, “Whiplash,” which he presented at the Sundance Film Festival. Its success there allowed Chazelle to make a full-length feature film based on the script.
Hollywood loves movies about overcoming adversity. The protagonist’s clash with an obstacle, the initial doubt about their ability to persevere, the preparation for tackling the challenge, and the ultimate triumph – these are elements found in almost every American film. Sometimes this narrative thread is deeply buried, hidden beneath layers of computer-generated effects or, conversely, within the raw emotions of an indie comedy. Sometimes, directors take the most straightforward approach, presenting the “obstacle-overcoming-victory” arc in a sports film. It seems like there’s nothing new to discover here, but innovators still emerge on this well-trodden path, as is the case with “Whiplash.” It’s especially gratifying that this innovator is a young director, practically a debutant, whose bright future one can’t help but believe in.
Miles Teller has been playing drums since he was 15, using an unusually energetic stick technique. On set, he actually bled on the drums more than once.
Challenging Conventions
What makes “Whiplash” so special that it’s being praised by everyone who’s seen it, included on countless “best of the year” lists, and guaranteeing awards for its lead actors? Perhaps the most important aspect is its rejection of everything we’ve come to believe about art in general and music in particular. Does talent always pave its own way? Not at all; mediocrity and slightly less talented colleagues will devour you, even if you’re the Mozart of our time. Will family always support you, and will romantic relationships inspire you? Forget it; your father will never understand your passion for the bassoon or viola, and your girlfriend will only take away your time, energy, and attention. Will getting into a prestigious school, class, or orchestra put the world at your feet? Yeah, right. You’ll fight for every minute in the elite, but that doesn’t guarantee you success, and success doesn’t guarantee you won’t be forgotten the morning after a failure.
The Price of Greatness
And yet, talents do emerge, manage to learn, pass auditions and competitions, and become stars. Not the kind of stars that a music video channel plays with a simple song on a three-chord motif, but true musicians whose names remain in history, whose musical journey is studied by descendants, and whose mastery is enjoyed even after their death. Where do they come from? They cross an invisible line of their own capabilities and take flight. This is precisely what teacher Fletcher, played phenomenally by J.K. Simmons, aims for, and it’s the line that drummer Andrew, a suddenly matured and fantastically intense Miles Teller, approaches. This line is almost tangible, saturated with the sweat of training (talent is nothing without constant practice), the blood of worn fingers, and the saliva of a youth hungry for fame. It’s very close, just a four-minute melody away, but crossing it may remain only a dream.
A Director’s Vision
How did young director Damien Chazelle manage to create this? How could a 28-year-old generate such passion on screen? Chazelle himself says that he had to go through something similar in his life, that someone pushed him, avoided the temptation to overpraise him. In response, the screenwriter and director “cultivated” a kind of Tyler Durden of music – someone willing to humiliate, insult, ridicule, bring to tears, frame, throw furniture, deceive, but ultimately make his students more than just an anonymous member of the orchestra sitting with their instrument. Fletcher cultivates Musicians, and not everyone can follow his path.
Filled with fantastic musical content, the film is full of such unbridled energy, so much genuine passion, obsession in the truest sense of the word, that it pierces the viewer no less than a powerful orchestral concert. “Whiplash” is frightening, but it spurs you on (it’s no accident that the literal translation of the title is “Whip”), stimulates, but also slaps the hands of those who dream of a simple solution to all problems. Every minute of the film is a battle, every note is a step, every drumstick strike is a surge of blood through the veins. It’s hard to imagine a more vibrant, complex, and adrenaline-fueled film in this genre, so sit back, relax, and prepare for the music. Here, there will be Jazz until the last drop of blood.