Directed By: Damien Chazelle
Written By: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, and Melissa Benoist
Running Time: 106 minutes
Premise: The film depicts the relationship between an ambitious jazz student (Teller) and a ruthless and abusive instructor (Simmons).
Why You Should See It: In my opinion, this is the best movie of 2014. J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller both give their all in this film. I hate the fact that Teller didn't receive an Oscar nomination for his performance considering that he transformed himself into a world-class jazz drummer and all of the blood on set was his actual blood (except for one scene). This movie engages you from the beginning and acts as one large crescendo as it goes from measure to measure. There is a rawness and simplicity that contrasts with the complexity of the music and dialogue but they work together in perfect harmony.
Written By: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, and Melissa Benoist
Running Time: 106 minutes
Premise: The film depicts the relationship between an ambitious jazz student (Teller) and a ruthless and abusive instructor (Simmons).
Why You Should See It: In my opinion, this is the best movie of 2014. J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller both give their all in this film. I hate the fact that Teller didn't receive an Oscar nomination for his performance considering that he transformed himself into a world-class jazz drummer and all of the blood on set was his actual blood (except for one scene). This movie engages you from the beginning and acts as one large crescendo as it goes from measure to measure. There is a rawness and simplicity that contrasts with the complexity of the music and dialogue but they work together in perfect harmony.
Synopsis
Andrew Neiman is a first-year jazz student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York. He has been playing drums from a young age and aspires to become one of the greats like Buddy Rich. Famed conductor Terence Fletcher discovers Andrew practicing in the music room late one night and eventually invites him into his studio band as the alternate for core drummer Carl Tanner. Fletcher is abusive toward his students, mocking and insulting them; when the band rehearses the Hank Levy piece "Whiplash" and Andrew struggles to keep his tempo, Fletcher hurls a chair at him, slaps him, and berates him in front of the class.
At a jazz competition, Andrew accidentally misplaces Carl's sheet music; as Carl cannot play without it, Andrew steps in, telling Fletcher that he can perform "Whiplash" from memory. Fletcher promotes him to core drummer. Soon after, Fletcher recruits Ryan Connolly, the core drummer from Andrew's former lower-level class. Ryan is the less talented drummer, but Fletcher promotes him to core, infuriating Andrew. Determined to impress Fletcher, Andrew practices until his hands bleed and breaks up with his girlfriend Nicole, believing she will distract him.
The next day, Fletcher tearfully reveals in class that a talented former student of his, Sean Casey, has died in a car accident. The band rehearses "Caravan", but Ryan struggles with the tempo. Fletcher auditions Andrew, Ryan and Carl for hours while the class waits outside, and finally gives the position to Andrew.
On the way to a jazz competition, Andrew's bus breaks down. Determined to make the performance, he rents a car but arrives late without his drumsticks. After an argument with Fletcher and a tirade against his fellow musicians, Andrew drives back to the car rental office and retrieves the drumsticks. As he speeds back, his car is hit by a truck. He crawls from the wreckage and arrives on stage badly injured. When he struggles to play "Caravan" due to his injuries, Fletcher stops the band midway through the performance to tell Andrew that he is "done". Andrew attacks Fletcher in front of the audience and is dragged away.
Andrew is expelled from Shaffer and meets with a lawyer representing the parents of Sean Casey. The lawyer explains that Sean Casey actually hanged himself, having suffered anxiety and depression after joining Fletcher's class. Sean's parents want to prevent Fletcher from teaching. Andrew agrees to testify anonymously and Fletcher is fired.
Months later, Andrew has abandoned music and is working in a restaurant while applying to different colleges. He walks past a jazz club and sees Fletcher performing on stage. Fletcher invites him for drinks and explains that he pushes his students beyond the expected so they might achieve greatness. He invites Andrew to perform at a festival concert with his band. Andrew agrees and invites Nicole, but she is in a new relationship and declines.
On stage at the jazz festival, Fletcher reveals that he knew Andrew testified against him. He leads the band in a new piece for which Andrew was not given sheet music. Andrew is humiliated and flees the stage, but as Fletcher is addressing the audience, Andrew returns to the drumset and starts playing "Caravan". The rest of the band joins him, surprising Fletcher, who eventually follows suit. Andrew ends the performance with an extravagant drum solo; Fletcher gives him a nod of approval, which Andrew returns, having pleased his teacher at last.
Andrew Neiman is a first-year jazz student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York. He has been playing drums from a young age and aspires to become one of the greats like Buddy Rich. Famed conductor Terence Fletcher discovers Andrew practicing in the music room late one night and eventually invites him into his studio band as the alternate for core drummer Carl Tanner. Fletcher is abusive toward his students, mocking and insulting them; when the band rehearses the Hank Levy piece "Whiplash" and Andrew struggles to keep his tempo, Fletcher hurls a chair at him, slaps him, and berates him in front of the class.
At a jazz competition, Andrew accidentally misplaces Carl's sheet music; as Carl cannot play without it, Andrew steps in, telling Fletcher that he can perform "Whiplash" from memory. Fletcher promotes him to core drummer. Soon after, Fletcher recruits Ryan Connolly, the core drummer from Andrew's former lower-level class. Ryan is the less talented drummer, but Fletcher promotes him to core, infuriating Andrew. Determined to impress Fletcher, Andrew practices until his hands bleed and breaks up with his girlfriend Nicole, believing she will distract him.
The next day, Fletcher tearfully reveals in class that a talented former student of his, Sean Casey, has died in a car accident. The band rehearses "Caravan", but Ryan struggles with the tempo. Fletcher auditions Andrew, Ryan and Carl for hours while the class waits outside, and finally gives the position to Andrew.
On the way to a jazz competition, Andrew's bus breaks down. Determined to make the performance, he rents a car but arrives late without his drumsticks. After an argument with Fletcher and a tirade against his fellow musicians, Andrew drives back to the car rental office and retrieves the drumsticks. As he speeds back, his car is hit by a truck. He crawls from the wreckage and arrives on stage badly injured. When he struggles to play "Caravan" due to his injuries, Fletcher stops the band midway through the performance to tell Andrew that he is "done". Andrew attacks Fletcher in front of the audience and is dragged away.
Andrew is expelled from Shaffer and meets with a lawyer representing the parents of Sean Casey. The lawyer explains that Sean Casey actually hanged himself, having suffered anxiety and depression after joining Fletcher's class. Sean's parents want to prevent Fletcher from teaching. Andrew agrees to testify anonymously and Fletcher is fired.
Months later, Andrew has abandoned music and is working in a restaurant while applying to different colleges. He walks past a jazz club and sees Fletcher performing on stage. Fletcher invites him for drinks and explains that he pushes his students beyond the expected so they might achieve greatness. He invites Andrew to perform at a festival concert with his band. Andrew agrees and invites Nicole, but she is in a new relationship and declines.
On stage at the jazz festival, Fletcher reveals that he knew Andrew testified against him. He leads the band in a new piece for which Andrew was not given sheet music. Andrew is humiliated and flees the stage, but as Fletcher is addressing the audience, Andrew returns to the drumset and starts playing "Caravan". The rest of the band joins him, surprising Fletcher, who eventually follows suit. Andrew ends the performance with an extravagant drum solo; Fletcher gives him a nod of approval, which Andrew returns, having pleased his teacher at last.
Analysis
Andrew Neiman
"I think being the greatest musician of the 20th century is anybody's idea of success."
"I'll cue you!"
Andrew is an extremely talented drummer whose dedication magnifies his desire to be great. Eager to impress, he has an uneven, but effective first performance in front of Terence Fletcher. This gift has come at a cost - Neiman is introverted and awkward, shown when he doesn’t speak to anyone on the way back to his dorm and how he is hesitant toward Nicole at the movie theater. Early in the film, Neiman feels that he isn’t going anywhere. He is the alternate drummer in the Nassau band (below the studio band) and his dad doesn’t really believe in his endeavor. When his dad mentions having other options and ‘perspective’ at his age, Andrew interprets perspective as regret.
Once Andrew is officially promoted to the Schaffer studio band, he gains more confidence and asks Nicole out. In studio band, the core drummer, Tanner, talks down to Andrew, but it doesn’t bother him because he has a sense of validation. However, Andrew goes into his first practice session a little too cocky after Fletcher gives him a calm pep talk telling him to relax. After the traumatization of the first session, Andrew practices harder than ever before which results in complete exhaustion, large blisters on his hands, and moving his mattress and alarm clock into his bedroom.
At the first competition, Andrew sees the influence of Fletcher on Tanner when he nearly has a nervous breakdown because Andrew lost the music folder. Neiman then bets on himself to play “Whiplash” from memory, which he does, and earns the core drumming spot.
We see his motivation when he visits his dad and others for dinner. The parents at the table express some approval for his drumming, but they are extremely proud of the Division III football player at the table. Andrew is visibly annoyed by the fact that he gets very little praise for being the core drummer of the top band at one of the best music schools in the country, but a D3 football player gets showered with acclaim. As Andrew defends why his accomplishments are more meaningful, his dad does not have his back. Neiman’s drive comes from others slighting his passion.
Returning from the trip, Fletcher sets up Andrew when he gives an unfair advantage and the core drumming spot to Ryan Connolly. He starts to practice more violently and aggressively which leads to him busting open his hand in anger. Andrew even breaks up with Nicole, citing her as a distraction.
Fletcher’s influence on Neiman is apparent when his bus breaks down on the way to the second competition in Dunellen. Neiman becomes belligerent and engages Fletcher in a shouting match bravely stating that he is the best drummer Fletcher has. Although Andrew shows his commitment when he tries to play severely injured, he fails and Fletcher kicks him out of the ensemble.
Seeing his younger self happy playing the drums, Andrew cries because it represented a time that he played for himself and no one else. In studio band, he lost this motivation because he tried too hard to impress Fletcher and his dad. He is given another chance to play when Fletcher invites him to play in his professional jazz band at a festival. Even though Fletcher tormented him, Andrew accepts because he knows that Fletcher got the best out of him.
After being humiliated on stage at the jazz festival, Andrew makes a bold decision to go back out and play for himself, regardless of what Fletcher might do. Not only does he perfectly play “Caravan”, but he performs an inspiring drum solo which impresses Fletcher. It’s a culmination of everything he has been through and his performance appears inhuman as he reaches a breaking point and smashes through it, enhancing his performance.
Andrew Neiman
"I think being the greatest musician of the 20th century is anybody's idea of success."
"I'll cue you!"
Andrew is an extremely talented drummer whose dedication magnifies his desire to be great. Eager to impress, he has an uneven, but effective first performance in front of Terence Fletcher. This gift has come at a cost - Neiman is introverted and awkward, shown when he doesn’t speak to anyone on the way back to his dorm and how he is hesitant toward Nicole at the movie theater. Early in the film, Neiman feels that he isn’t going anywhere. He is the alternate drummer in the Nassau band (below the studio band) and his dad doesn’t really believe in his endeavor. When his dad mentions having other options and ‘perspective’ at his age, Andrew interprets perspective as regret.
Once Andrew is officially promoted to the Schaffer studio band, he gains more confidence and asks Nicole out. In studio band, the core drummer, Tanner, talks down to Andrew, but it doesn’t bother him because he has a sense of validation. However, Andrew goes into his first practice session a little too cocky after Fletcher gives him a calm pep talk telling him to relax. After the traumatization of the first session, Andrew practices harder than ever before which results in complete exhaustion, large blisters on his hands, and moving his mattress and alarm clock into his bedroom.
At the first competition, Andrew sees the influence of Fletcher on Tanner when he nearly has a nervous breakdown because Andrew lost the music folder. Neiman then bets on himself to play “Whiplash” from memory, which he does, and earns the core drumming spot.
We see his motivation when he visits his dad and others for dinner. The parents at the table express some approval for his drumming, but they are extremely proud of the Division III football player at the table. Andrew is visibly annoyed by the fact that he gets very little praise for being the core drummer of the top band at one of the best music schools in the country, but a D3 football player gets showered with acclaim. As Andrew defends why his accomplishments are more meaningful, his dad does not have his back. Neiman’s drive comes from others slighting his passion.
Returning from the trip, Fletcher sets up Andrew when he gives an unfair advantage and the core drumming spot to Ryan Connolly. He starts to practice more violently and aggressively which leads to him busting open his hand in anger. Andrew even breaks up with Nicole, citing her as a distraction.
Fletcher’s influence on Neiman is apparent when his bus breaks down on the way to the second competition in Dunellen. Neiman becomes belligerent and engages Fletcher in a shouting match bravely stating that he is the best drummer Fletcher has. Although Andrew shows his commitment when he tries to play severely injured, he fails and Fletcher kicks him out of the ensemble.
Seeing his younger self happy playing the drums, Andrew cries because it represented a time that he played for himself and no one else. In studio band, he lost this motivation because he tried too hard to impress Fletcher and his dad. He is given another chance to play when Fletcher invites him to play in his professional jazz band at a festival. Even though Fletcher tormented him, Andrew accepts because he knows that Fletcher got the best out of him.
After being humiliated on stage at the jazz festival, Andrew makes a bold decision to go back out and play for himself, regardless of what Fletcher might do. Not only does he perfectly play “Caravan”, but he performs an inspiring drum solo which impresses Fletcher. It’s a culmination of everything he has been through and his performance appears inhuman as he reaches a breaking point and smashes through it, enhancing his performance.
Terence Fletcher
"I was there to push people beyond what's expected of them. I believe that's an absolute necessity."
"There are no two words in the English language more harmful than 'good job'."
Fletcher clearly has a great ear for music but his passion borders on an unhealthy obsession. Everywhere he walks, Fletcher exerts a powerful and commanding presence. This is evident when he first sees Andrew play. He realizes that Andrew has the potential to be great, but he wants him to surpass that potential. When working through the Nassau band, he is very brief with each player because if a musician isn’t ready when called upon, then he or she has no chance of being great.
In studio band, Fletcher is the puppet master because his hand controls their movements. He learns more personal info about Andrew in order for his insults to have more weight. For being half a beat off tempo, he ruthlessly criticizes Neiman. Lincoln Center is frequently brought up by Fletcher in order to motivate his players. It is seen as the pinnacle for a jazz player. It is clear that he holds his core players 100% accountable when Neiman loses the music folder, but Fletcher rips into Tanner. Furthermore, he doesn’t have talks with his players when he selects a new core player - he just addresses one person as the core and another as an alternate.
The main reason that Fletcher replaces Neiman with Connolly is to motivate - a fact that he reveals to Neiman later. Fletcher still wants to talk to Neiman after their fight because he knows how ardent he is about music. Despite Neiman questioning his methods, Fletcher defends himself by saying that his job was not to conduct but push people beyond their normal limits in order to make them great. He laments the fact that he has never had a Charlie Parker* and he probably never will because he is conducting pros and not turning students into pros.
The last scene of the film can be taken in many different ways but here is my interpretation. Fletcher humiliates Neiman in order to see if he gets discouraged which he doesn’t. After Neiman has the performance of a lifetime, Fletcher smiles because he finally has his Charlie Parker.
*He doesn’t cite Sean Casey as a great player or his Charlie Parker because he says that the greats do not get ‘discouraged’. So, this means that since Sean Casey killed himself, he got discouraged. (according to Fletcher)
"I was there to push people beyond what's expected of them. I believe that's an absolute necessity."
"There are no two words in the English language more harmful than 'good job'."
Fletcher clearly has a great ear for music but his passion borders on an unhealthy obsession. Everywhere he walks, Fletcher exerts a powerful and commanding presence. This is evident when he first sees Andrew play. He realizes that Andrew has the potential to be great, but he wants him to surpass that potential. When working through the Nassau band, he is very brief with each player because if a musician isn’t ready when called upon, then he or she has no chance of being great.
In studio band, Fletcher is the puppet master because his hand controls their movements. He learns more personal info about Andrew in order for his insults to have more weight. For being half a beat off tempo, he ruthlessly criticizes Neiman. Lincoln Center is frequently brought up by Fletcher in order to motivate his players. It is seen as the pinnacle for a jazz player. It is clear that he holds his core players 100% accountable when Neiman loses the music folder, but Fletcher rips into Tanner. Furthermore, he doesn’t have talks with his players when he selects a new core player - he just addresses one person as the core and another as an alternate.
The main reason that Fletcher replaces Neiman with Connolly is to motivate - a fact that he reveals to Neiman later. Fletcher still wants to talk to Neiman after their fight because he knows how ardent he is about music. Despite Neiman questioning his methods, Fletcher defends himself by saying that his job was not to conduct but push people beyond their normal limits in order to make them great. He laments the fact that he has never had a Charlie Parker* and he probably never will because he is conducting pros and not turning students into pros.
The last scene of the film can be taken in many different ways but here is my interpretation. Fletcher humiliates Neiman in order to see if he gets discouraged which he doesn’t. After Neiman has the performance of a lifetime, Fletcher smiles because he finally has his Charlie Parker.
*He doesn’t cite Sean Casey as a great player or his Charlie Parker because he says that the greats do not get ‘discouraged’. So, this means that since Sean Casey killed himself, he got discouraged. (according to Fletcher)
Themes
The Price of Greatness
Neiman’s aspiration is to become a jazz legend like Charlie Parker or Buddy Rich. He feels that he has already paid the price since he doesn’t really have any friends at Schaffer. However, he was open to being verbally assaulted and psychologically tormented in order to be great. When Andrew mentions Charlie Parker as an inspiration, his dad states that Parker’s talent came with heroin and alcohol addictions. Nevertheless, Andrew remains resolute and responds that history remembers Parker despite his vices.
Motivation
Terence Fletcher’s wants to be the teacher of a jazz icon. This could stem from the fact he isn’t an amazing musician himself, but he feels he can motivate another toward greatness. He teaches at Schaffer to mold amateurs into pros. His restlessness to mentor a legend is evident in his brutal teaching methods. Although he gets a job conducting a professional jazz band, Fletcher is unhappy because he doesn’t have the chance to teach. He is only there to conduct.
Andrew Neiman is motivated for the wrong reasons. He wants to prove his dad and Fletcher wrong. Most of the time, Neiman is exhausted and glum after long practice sessions. This lack of fulfillment doesn’t get resolved until he is expelled from Schaffer. He has no choice but to play for himself and the love of jazz music.
The Price of Greatness
Neiman’s aspiration is to become a jazz legend like Charlie Parker or Buddy Rich. He feels that he has already paid the price since he doesn’t really have any friends at Schaffer. However, he was open to being verbally assaulted and psychologically tormented in order to be great. When Andrew mentions Charlie Parker as an inspiration, his dad states that Parker’s talent came with heroin and alcohol addictions. Nevertheless, Andrew remains resolute and responds that history remembers Parker despite his vices.
Motivation
Terence Fletcher’s wants to be the teacher of a jazz icon. This could stem from the fact he isn’t an amazing musician himself, but he feels he can motivate another toward greatness. He teaches at Schaffer to mold amateurs into pros. His restlessness to mentor a legend is evident in his brutal teaching methods. Although he gets a job conducting a professional jazz band, Fletcher is unhappy because he doesn’t have the chance to teach. He is only there to conduct.
Andrew Neiman is motivated for the wrong reasons. He wants to prove his dad and Fletcher wrong. Most of the time, Neiman is exhausted and glum after long practice sessions. This lack of fulfillment doesn’t get resolved until he is expelled from Schaffer. He has no choice but to play for himself and the love of jazz music.
Citation
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 June 2015.
- used for plot synopsis
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 June 2015.
- used for plot synopsis