Whiplash

Andrew (Miles Teller) is a nineteen-year-old who desperately wants to be the best jazz drummer in the world. He’s currently studying at a New York conservatory where he draws the attention of Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), a much-admired teacher who wants Andrew to be the best jazz drummer in the world. So far so good, except that Andrew is an obsessive who pushes everything else out of his life in order to succeed in his chosen field, while Fletcher’s drill sergeant-like approach to teaching is based largely around verbal abuse and dodging thrown objects.
This remarkable film is a masterclass in tension, as an irresistible force meets an immovable object in scene after scene where the only thing being hammered harder than Andrew’s drums is his self-esteem. This film poses a lot of thorny questions about art (just how important is hardship in developing talent?), the nature of teaching (do the ends justify the means when the student only seems to know what they’re getting into?) and the drive for success (should you try to perform after a car crash?). There are no firm answers here, but there are two brilliant performances in the lead roles – and a lot of rapid-fire drumming that will keep your heart hammering.
Whether you’re a fan of jazz drumming or can’t stand it, this is still one of the films of the year.