Whiplash [DVD] [2015]

Whiplash is a modern day masterpiece. I don't say that often, in fact...never. There aren't enough superlatives to describe the amazingness of Whiplash. Damien Chazelle crafted not just a tense dramatic piece of cinema, but a thematic experience with layered subtext. Andrew is a college student who simply wants to be the best drummer. Terence Fletcher, a renowned teacher at said college, sees potential in Andrew and chooses him to be the drummer in his band, at the expense of emotional distress. This is a brutal character study, absolutely savage. This is about Fletcher as much as it is about Andrew. The psychological battle and the consequential emotional turmoil that follows. I've never been so compelled in a drama ever (and this is my 5th viewing). The strive for perfection amidst the continuous passion that elevates Andrew as a person and how Fletcher uses his passion in attempt to obtain the perfect musician that Andrew hopes to be. The struggle for perfection is difficult in any profession, there is no right or wrong way to achieve this; the question is: "is there a line between gently pushing someone towards a goal or inflicting emotional torture upon them?". Fletcher leans towards the latter, so much so that he actually imposes physical damage to Andrew to test whether he will be discouraged from the harsh reality of perfection or not. The internal struggle in Andrew is excellently conveyed, you can see his passion seeping through the blood, sweat and tears and yet mentally unable to cope with Fletcher's methods. A simple story, but executed with such ferocity and intelligence that it just feels fresh. Damien Chazelle directed the heck out of this. Quick cuts between the musical instruments and nice long takes of Miles Teller and J.K Simmons duelling in anger. Speaking on Simmons, the best performance I've seen in years. Both complicated and terrifying simultaneously, he deserved every award. Teller was near perfect as well, conveying innocence and vulnerability. Look, I can talk about Whiplash forever. It's a masterpiece. End of review.

It's a pity i'm not allowed to rate this film higher, but anyway here's my review; it's a true masterpiece of any genre, you don't have to appreciate jazz or be a jazz nut to be engrossed in the way the two leads relationship builds, their respect for each other's position in the pecking order of the music school and how their very different personalities entwine but clash throughout captivate even the staunchist non-music fan, the film reveals to the viewer delightfully how Andrews' appreciation for Fletcher and his sorrow for his ultimate blab, manifests in his character growth, earning his high regard for how his teacher has brought out the talent in him and he seems to hold no malice for Fletcher's teaching methods, no matter how extreme they appear, even Andrew's dedication instill's in him the need to put his personal life on hold to be taught everything Fletcher can give. Both actor's deserve huge praise in the way they portray their character's. Not just the film of last year but many a year, a character study of immense depth and feeling needs to watched repeatably for full appreciation. double that star rating !!

I've waited a long time this year to see a truly top class film and I'm pleased to say that "Whiplash" is just that and it is easily the best film that I've seen in 2015. The acting and direction is stunning and the film had me enthralled from start to finish. It tells the fascinating story of an ambitious young jazz drummer at a top East Coast music conservatory who is discovered by an unpleasant,bullying ,perfectionist professor who recruits him for the top band in the school. JK Simmons plays the teacher amazingly well. An intense and captivating performance. Miles Teller also stars as the single minded,perfectionist student. Simmons resorts to cruel and extreme methods to get the best out of Teller. Does he go too far ? The characterisation is excellent and I enjoyed watching the ups and downs of the relationship between teacher and pupil. Both men are searching not just for perfection but for brilliance and are prepared to go to any lengths to achieve it. Compelling to watch and the music and drumming was marvellous. Unmissable film.

It's very rare I rate things 5 out of 5 but this movie was perfect in ever way. The right cast for the right story, the right run time, the right setting, it goes on!JK Simmons puts in a career defining performance as a music teacher with extreme teaching techniques who refuses to accept adequacy as part of his orchestra.Miles Teller (also in a career best) is the student striving for greatness as a drummer trying to do all he can to gain the approval of his legendary music teacher.A story about ambition and dedication, this movie really is perfect in telling this story. One of the best I've truly ever seen.

Brilliant film but the casing got damaged on delivery

What a fine piece of work this is. Despite a lot of positive press I was still sceptical but a couple of fantastic performances from Miles Teller and J K Simmons carry things through this engrossing drama.The basic premise of an ambitious young musician attempting to learn under the abusive tutelage of a dynamic instructor is all that's needed to kick things into gear - there's minimal backstory here, learn as you go. It quickly becomes absurdly gripping, tense and enthralling as we see the relationship between these two blossom/fracture.Tellers on an emotional roller coaster and he's impressively convincing every step of the way. Simmons busts out of his (admittedly impressive) supporting/character actor persona to deliver a bravura performance where he's savage, menacing, frightening and hilarious - often all in the same sentence.Great stuff, this comes highly recommended.

Worth watching for J K Simmons mesmerising performance, but this is yet another grim tale of American only-the-best-is-good-enoughism, and, frankly, I can have too much of that.

Un bel film con attori in stato di grazia.Una pellicola da vedere assolutamente.

Fabulous movie about a struggling drummer pushed by an obsessive teacher to the point that the drummer almost dies trying to measure up. A must see in my book.

Whiplash ist endlich wieder einer dieser Filme, dem alle Auszeichnungen zu Recht zustehen und der von der Darstellerriege und dem Drehbuch bis zur technischen Umsetzung, eine künstlerisch hochrangige Einheit erfährt.Die Handlung ist dabei folgende: Andrew Neiman ist ein talentierter 19 jähriger Schlagzeuger, der eines Tages von Terence Fletcher, Leiter einer Studioband entdeckt wird. Dieser hat durchaus spezielle Methoden um seinen Musikschülern die regelmäßigen Bandproben unerträglich zu gestalten. Bei ihm zählt der richtige Takt und wer diesen nicht beherrscht, der wird den richtigen Takt schon bald zu spüren bekommen und das nicht unbedingt gewaltfrei. Andrew der den Drang verspürt immer besser zu werden, um sich den Forderungen seines Lehrers anzupassen, gibt schließlich sein gesamtes Privatleben auf und widmet sich ganz und gar der Musik. Dies führt fast bis zum Scheitern seiner Psyche, aber zum Glück nur fast, denn am Ende hat er die Gelegenheit um alle zu begeistern.Damien Chazelle's Whiplash ist ein emotional packendes Musikdrama, das seinen Takt ganz bestimmt nicht verfehlt. J.K. Simmons, der den strengen Musiklehrer mimt, gibt hier schauspielerisch wohl seine stärkste Leistung aller Zeiten ab und überzeugt in allen zur Verfügung stehenden Nuancen.Der Rest der Darsteller passt sich diesem Ton durch entgegengesetztes Spielen an.Die Musik, die hier ganz klar das entscheidende Element des Films ist, liefert überragende Hintergrundleistungen ab und bietet viele Facetten von Schlagzeuginterpretationen an.Fazit: Fesselnder Streifen mit dramatischen Untertönen, der sich locker als bester Musikthriller des Jahres 2014 betiteln kann.

Reflejar el sufrimiento de un músico no es fácil, se puede caer en la pedantería, se puede ser excesivamente dramático/lacrimógeno o hacer algo completamente banal. Al ver por primera vez esta película creí que tarde o temprano caería en una de esas vías, pero cual fue mi sorpresa cuando acaba la película y tú te quedas ahí como un pasmarote delante del televisor con tensión, sensación de júbilo y muchas ganas de más, de que siga, de poder quedarte allí para contemplar. Pero eso es lo bueno, lo importante no es el final, es el camino. El camino te da ganas de odiar y amar la música como la odia y ama el personaje, una empatía propia de películas bien escritas y bien dirigidas como esta.

Date le recensioni sulla trama molto complete mi soffermo solo su aspetti più tecnici e di authoring salvo precisare che è uno dei miei film preferiti di sempre, sceneggiatura fantastica e colonna sonora che in questo caso definirei colonna portante davvero superlativa.Straordinariamente oltre alla traccia inglese anche la versione italiana è in DTS Master HD e tra le altre cose il doppiaggio l'ho trovato ottimo. Giusto un pochino sottotono alcuni dialoghi a 2 tra Fletcher e Andrew che nella versione inglese rendono senza dubbio meglio l'atmosfera della sala prove mentre nella versione ita si può cogliere la freddezza dello studio.Volendo essere puntigliosi nella versione italiana viene un pochino meno l'evoluzione dialettica di Andrew che resta fedele e calzante all'originale fino a quando ci troviamo di fronte l'Andrew educato, remissivo e arrendevole, ma manca di grinta sopratutto nei toni e anche un pochino nella dinamica quando ci troviamo ad ascoltare l'Andrew motivato e cinico. Ci si fa caso se avete parecchia confidenza con il cd della OST.Dei contenuti speciali ho particolarmente apprezzato oltre al cortometraggio originale la scena inedita di Fletcher solitario in casa, breve ma molto evocativa e il maxi commento/intervista di alcuni tra i più importanti batteristi e musicisti. (solo alcuni)