*Whiplash
J.K. Simmons has received accolades and an Oscar nomination
for his performance in Whiplash, all well deserved. He is better known for
supporting roles as the father in Juno and the mercurial news editor J. Johan Jameson
from the Spiderman movies. Currently he is the pitch man for the humorous State
Farm Insurance ads. His role in Whiplash, as the brutish music conductor Terence
Fletcher, is a powerful transformative performance.
The movie takes place in a prestigious music conservatory called
Schaffer (aka Julliard). A music student named Andrew Niemen, played by Miles
Teller, aspires to be the legendary drummer Buddy Rich. Fletcher sees potential
in Niemen and allows him into the band. The atmosphere in the band in nothing
short of a state of nature. Every spot is precious and the guy behind you is waiting
for you to drop dead to hop into your chair. Fletcher stokes this environment through
intimidation, humiliation and physical abuse. Simmons’ bald meaty face is the
perfect drill sergeant mask. To halt a performance he raises his left arm in a
right angle and fiercely clenches his fist as if squeezing a testicle. He is a perfectionist and a sadist. Simmons’ performance
is so strong it is almost uncomfortable to watch. Neiman and the other musicians take this abuse
to stay in the band and curry Fletcher’s approval.
The battle between Fletcher and Neiman escalates into a one
man battle of the band. This is as much a psychological clash between these two
antagonists as physical one. With his position as conductor Fletcher gets into
Neiman’s head and pushes him to the brink. Rather than motivational, Fletcher’s
method is tyrannical. To get the best
from a student he uses the worst of himself; without regrets. Ironically Neiman transforms this pressure to
his advantage.
The ending is no surprise, but it is great fun to watch.
This is a boutique movie, not for everyone. But if you get out of your comfort
zone you will not be disappointed. Plus the jazz is great.
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