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By Thomas John Moore Obsession is one of the most effective tools employed by any screenwriter to form the basis of a good story. Damien Chazelle’s 2014 feature Whiplash explores the relationship between a young man and his drum kit, delving into his aspirations and the extent to which he will go in order to achieve them. This deep exploration of the psyche takes the viewer on a journey of emotion as Andrew Nieman, brought to life brilliantly by Miles Teller, struggles to assume a position as one of the best jazz drummers in the world. The brilliance of this movie is difficult to explain; one really has to see it in order to understand. To simply describe the premise of the film’s plot, a young drummer striving to be better, is to do Whiplash a massive disservice. The music and aesthetics alone makes it worth the watch. Jazz music as an art form is a perfect conduit for emotion, and through the soundtrack of the film we experience all of the highs and lows of Teller’s troubled character. The cinematography ingeniously sets the atmosphere of the film, immersing us in Nieman’s world and the tribulations of the students in Shaffer music school. The feat that Whiplash achieves of keeping the audience’s attention despite little change in plot for a large part of the film is testament to the director’s ability. The quality of acting displayed by Teller, as well as by J.K. Simmons as Nieman’s terrifying, sadistic teacher is among the best I’ve seen. The unpredictable, abrasive nature of Simmons’ character is expertly portrayed, leaving the viewer both appalled and impressed in equal measure. That is not to undermine Teller’s performance, however, as the presentation of the depths of Nieman’s obsession and emotional conflict is sublime. Nieman’s conflict is evident and there is not a single scene in Whiplash in which the viewer will question the authenticity of the character. Ultimately, the focus of the film is on the inescapable and destructive nature of obsession, as we see both Nieman and Simmons’ characters constantly finding themselves getting dragged back towards the orchestra. At the end of the day, not much has changed, and yet the viewer can’t help feeling satisfied. That is the brilliance of Whiplash.
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