BY: ORANGECHAIR
Sometimes the most remarkable films come from the least likely of stories and places. Had you told me that a film about a drummer would be nominated for Best Picture in 2015 and simultaneously be one of my favorite films of the year, I would have been very skeptical. Whiplash is a phenomenal film with a unique story and unique characters. I believe it has some of the best acting performances of the year and an ending that forces audiences to get on their feet and cheer.
Nineteen year old Andrew Neimann (Miles Teller) has a singular dream and that is to be the best. Attending the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory Music School, it becomes clear early on in the film that Neimann thinks of little else past growing as a drummer. Working at Shaffer is the legendary conductor Terrence Fletcher (J. K. Simmons). Despite being a verbally, physically and emotionally abusive conductor, being a part of Fletcher’s band is Neimann’s ultimate goal as he knows that it can make his career. Neimann is given a chance to play in Fletcher’s band after Fletcher walks in on him practicing and spends the rest of the film under the abusive tutelage of the conductor. Neimann gives everything he has physically and emotionally to attempt to gain Fletcher’s approval and stay in the band. It is not until the end of the film that Neimann realizes what he needs to do to gain Fletcher’s coveted approval and truly be the best.
Ultimately there were only two main characters in this film, Fletcher and Neimann. There were two drummers that were fighting for Neimann’s spot but their characters did not get much development at all. Neimann’s father (Paul Reiser) shows up a few times and for a while Neimann romantically pursues a young woman named Nichole (Melissa Benoist) but Neimann leaves these characters behind as he continues to pursue his dream. The film focuses on Fletcher and Neimann and they are two very rich characters. There is a scene in the film where Fletcher attempts to explain why he acts the way he does, explaining that he expects his musicians to go beyond what they are capable of. During this scene Fletcher explains that “there are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job.” Fletcher does not want his students to do a good job, they are to do their best or better. This is a goal he tries to accomplish through humiliation, bullying, anger, fear and abuse. All he wants however is a student to go above and beyond to become the best. Neimann and Fletcher’s goals line up but it takes Neimann a while to realize that simply the approval of his abusive conductor will not make him the best. It is something he must do on his own.
This film has been nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture. I can say that in my opinion Whiplash is the only film I have seen so far that gives Birdman a run for its money as Best Picture of the Year. Of course this is just my opinion and the world’s opinion does not match up with mine, which so often happens. Though it was one of my favorite and most well done films of the year, I do not see anyway that it will win Best Picture. The film was also nominated for Best Editing and Best Sound Mixing. J. K. Simmons earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor and he is clearly the front runner for this award. His performance was absolutely brilliant. The film’s writer and director Damien Chazelle earned a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. This is a 10 out of 10 film and a must see for 2014.
Gold and Silver Listvision 