One of the joys in watching movies is when you come across
one you know little about, that concerns a topic you will probably never be
involved in and that offers some of the most captivating performances seen on
screen in years. While WHIPLASH made a splash on the indie scene this past year
garnering praise for the performance of J.K. Simmons (as well as an Oscar win)
it wasn’t a must see movie that many heard of. All that will change now with
that win and the respectful speech Simmons gave asking people to get off their
cell phones and computers and to call and talk to their parents saying thank
you.
But on with the movie.
Miles Teller stars as Andrew Niemen, a talented drummer
enrolled as a freshman at a prestigious music academy where everyone seems to
be waiting for the chance to become part of the Studio Band, a jazz oriented
group led by teacher Terrence Fletcher (Simmons). Hearing Andrew practicing
alone he offers him a suggestion and encourages him to continue practicing. Within
a few days he approaches Andrew to join the Studio Band.
Once there Andrew learns that it isn’t quite what he
expected. He witnesses Fletcher demolish a student for not being in tune. Then
while on break he has a calm conversation with Andrew and learns about his
life, family and what he wants from his time here. When they return to the
practice room he puts Andrew on the drum set and then cajoles him, starting and
stopping the practice with only a few notes played and ridiculing him using the
information he just gathered in the hallway. Andrew has just experienced the
wrath and teaching methods of Fletcher.
As I watched I kept thinking back to the movie THE PAPER
CHASE and the character of Charles Kingsfield played by John Houseman. It was
the same sort of in your face method of teaching employed except that here we
have a much more intimidating person who could physically break you and who has
no problem with hurling expletives your way to get what he wants. What he wants
is perfection and the chances of that happening with any member of this band
are unlikely.
A series of back and forth encounters between the two main
move the story forward with side issues at play as well. Andrew picks up a
girlfriend along the way that he dumps shortly after for fear that it takes
time away from him practicing to become what he wants which is to be recognized
as the best. This also stems from the life he shares with his father (Paul
Reiser), a teacher who wanted to be a writer. Andrew wants more out of life, he
wants that elusive dream of being known.
The movie runs at a frantic pace with excellent use of
editing to move it back and forth creating a tension in the viewer while at the
same time moving the story forward. That story eventually leads to a small
conflict between Andrew and Fletcher that seems finished. And yet not long
after that in the last act of the film a showdown between the two results in a
twist that involves not one but two twists of fate that make the film’s climax
worth watching over and over again.
Having just heard that BIRDMAN won for best picture this
last year (more to come on that soon) I would have given the title to this film
before that one. While both are equally compelling in storytelling I felt that
this one touched me stronger and harder than BIRDMAN while at the same time
entertaining me to no end. It is one of the best pieces of storytelling I’ve
seen in some time and never once made me feel like looking at the clock to see
how much longer it would last. Couple that with the previously mentioned
editing seen in this film, some amazing cinematography, fantastic music and two
lead performances here that are a sight to behold and you have one enjoyable
movie that should be seen by all.
A word of caution to some, the film can be brutal at times
both physically and mentally. Not only that the language can be quite raw at
times. If you can get past those two items you will find a movie that will grab
you by the throat and won’t let go for the next 107 minutes. Movies like this
are what making watching film a way to get the best that Hollywood has to
offer. Let’s just hope both Teller and Simmons can give us more to watch in the
future. .
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