n
n
n
n
n
n
nWhiplash (2014)
n
n
n
nDirector: Damien Chazelle
n
n
n
nCast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, MelissanBenoist
n
n
n
nHere’s another Oscar contender, as it is, Whiplash has beennnominated for five awards which include Best Picture, Best Actor Nomination fornJ.K. Simmons, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay,nnow if you ask me, I think it has a shot at Film of the Year, simply becausenit’s such an engaging film, which is one of the great things about it, it’s anmovie about a music student, a drummer, yet the film manages to be so tense!nWell, this film got to me on a whole other level because I’m currentlynfinishing my bachelor’s degree in education, and so of course, I saw it fromnthe student-teacher perspective. Because obviously, there’s many theories as tonhow to educate a student, what to do and what not to do, so I loved how thenfilm explored these themes and situations. So this review comes to you guysnfrom the perspective of a future teacher, which might offer you a different pointnof view on the film.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nWhiplash is all about Andre, a 19 year old percussionist whonhas just gotten accepted into one of the best music schools in New York. Henpractices often and hard because he wants to be “one of the greats”.nUnfortunately, he soon meets Mr. Fletcher, the music teacher from hell. Mr.nFletcher’s education techniques are extreme and unorthodox, he insults, screamsnand smacks his students in the face. Questions immediately arise. Is he toonextreme? Does he achieve anything by intimidating his students? Is he going toonfar with his methods? Is it worth it? Or is he just a whacko blowing off steamnwith his students? Of course, we’re all rooting for Andre to make it, but willnhe make it with such a hellish music teacher breathing down his neck?
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nThis movie touches upon many themes, but one of them is thenchoice that a person who wants to be “one of the greats” has to make when thentime comes to choose between love or career. This is a conundrum that thosencompletely dedicated to their careers eventually stumble upon, to love someone ornto love what you do? The idea being that if you’re going to be 100% dedicatednto something, you cannot have time for love. Whiplash reminded me of The RedShoes (1948) and Black Swan (2010) in that sense. But ultimately, Whiplash isnan inspirational film because it introduces to a character who doesn’t letnanything get in the way of getting where he wants to go. He wants to be thenbest of the best, unfortunately, his extreme teacher serves as a stumblingnblock. Some might see it another way, some might see Mr. Fletchers methods asnextreme, yet effective. How did I see this film, from the perspective of anfuture educator?
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nWell, in the film, Mr. Fletcher has a peculiar way ofnpushing his students to their limits. He speaks at them in a very candid matter,nquite a few ‘fucks’ are said on this film (and interesting drinking game wouldnbe to take a shot every time the word is said) not to mention other beautifulnwords like ‘faggot’ and ‘cocksucker’, but these aren’t high school kids, and tonbe honest, college professors can sometimes be very candid. But at the samentime, you’ll feel that Mr. Fletcher is going just a little too far, he’snmethods are harmful in a way that affects the student’s self esteem and psyche.nI mean, I’m all for helping students achieve their maximum potential, but isnthere a line? That is the main question that the film addresses. And I say yes,nthere has to be a line. You cannot for example humiliate a student to the pointnthat he’ll commit suicide. This film is being compared with Stanley Kubrick’snFull Metal Jacket (1987) for a reason: the teacher behaves in the same mannernas R. Lee Ermey’s ‘Sgt. Hartman’, screaming and hollering at his students likenif they were in the military. I’d say Whiplash is a mash up between Full MetalnJacket and Fame (1980), strange comparison I know, but that’s exactly what itnfeels like.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n I’m glad that J.K.nSimmons was nominated for an Oscar, his performances is quite good. I’m sure henwas chosen for his explosive personality, some of you might remember him as J.nJonah Jameson, editor of ‘The Daily Bugle’ in the old Spiderman movies, he’snthe guy that always screams and insults Peter Parker. On Whiplash he does that,nbut with a decidedly more serious and deadly tone. J.K. Simmons plays ancharacter that you’ll either admire for his extreme methods or completely hate.nIn any case, he also comes off as a very human character. He’s not the squeakynclean, pitch perfect wholesome teacher you’ve seen in so many movies centerednaround education, like say Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) or Dangerous Minds (1995).nI also loved Miles Teller’s character, Andrew, a very vulnerable yet headstrongncharacter. He proves to be Mr. Fletcher’s biggest challenge. There’s thisnamazing scene where Andrew is completely humiliated by Mr. Fletcher, and hensort of gives up, but then turns things around and decides to give Mr. Fletchernthe old “fuck you man, I know I’m good!”. This was a scene that I loved becausensometimes as a student, you have to stand up to a particularly idiotic professor,nyou know, the snobbish kind, with those damned egos. If there is one thing thisnfilm proves is that there is such a thing as a bad teacher and that sometimesnpersonal problems and personality traits can get in the way of the teaching,nand that’s when the student has to stand up for himself, because we all havenour pride and self esteem to protect. Whiplash gets a perfect score from me, anvery satisfying film, you won’t know where it’s going or how it’s going to end,nit deserves an award for that alone.
n
n
n
n
nRating: 5 out of 5
n
n
n
n
n
n
