Disc Reviews

Whiplash Blu-ray Review

27th May 2015

Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) s attending a prestigious music school playing drums. He encounters one of the head techers there, Terence Fletcher (J K Simmons) who adds him to his own class. This invitation at first seems like the opportunity oif a lifetime for neiman, but it soon becomes the hardest challenge as Fletcher’s unorthodox methods come to the fore threatening the weak, and serving to only push harder the strong that are willing to stand with him.

It’s almost a game of cat and mouse that is played as Neiman strives to better himself – at the cost of any “Ordinary” life as he has to earn the position in the band abive a coupel of other players.

Whiplash is a study in human obsession: The obsession to succeed, the obsession to be the best and the obsession to find the best. The counter-argument to it all is quite simply the damage that gets done along the way on the parties that do succeed; and not to mention the parties that also fail. Teller and Simmons play to the strengths of the characters – Neiman is of few words, expressing himself through his talents. Fletcher is a man who seems all words, but aptly using his ears to instantly know where to handle any given situation he thinks needs correcting.

Chazelle has worked wonders with the camera. There is tension in all of his scenes as you don’t clearly know where the drama is going to head next. The action onscreen is intense; whether this is Neiman playing until he breaks mentally and physically or it is Fletcher sending another emotional right-hook to his students.

J K Simmons may have stolen the film with his intense performance as the demon in disguise. But there are other key players to nice outside of the two facing off. Paul Reiser for one makes for an affable figure in Andrew’s life as his failed novelist father. His presence at home – looking and reacting to his own son verbally demolish the rest of the family around them is telling. Another key moment is in his one shot reaction (show through an ajar door) to the finale piece played in the film. His look, understated as it is, bleeds emotion and colour all over the canvas as a man astonished at what his son has created and become, but also there is a realisation and miniaturisation of himself as a failure.

Simply put – Whiplash is a basket full of high-tension and really goes for it in its satisfying climax.

The film looks and sounds gorgeous. Damien Chazelle and J K Simmons also provide a very insightful, funny commentary track for the film – both parties play off each other very well and are not afraid to make a mockery of their subject along the way. It’s a track worth listening too – mainly because they are just a delight to listen to.