WHIPLASH

Not my tempo.

Director: Damien Chazelle

Actors: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist and others

Genre: Drama, Music

Duration: 107 minutes

Plot: a promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by a remorselss instructor who will stop at nothing to realise a student's potential.

Analysis: Whiplash is a typical drama,  describing the life of a young and talented musician as he struggles to reach the top. The scenario is solid, the protagonist's performance is noticeable while the direction is both elegant and dynamic, especially during the final close-up scenes on the stage. However, i doubt that all these elements are powerful enough to capture your attention, as you may already thing. And you couldn't be more right. Whiplash needs something more in order to gain your trust. A hidden triumph card, capable to tie you firmly on your couch while transforming this movie from a typical drama to something else. To something more. To, perhaps, the most infuriating, the most enraging and the most stressful film in recent history! And this hidden card answers to the name of J.K. Simmons and his inconceivable performance.
     There were quite a few moments i literally wanted to get up from my chair, enter into the television's screen, grab this provoking bawler from his neck and force him to SHUT THE HELL UP! Thank God i didn't. Instead, i chose to remain calm, thus enjoying his mad acting till the very end. And i did not regret it. Not one bit. Thank you mr. Simmons. The oscar for the best actor in a supporting role is extremely poor to describe the magnitude of your achievement.

Things to notice:

• J.K. Simmons astounding performance,
• the very last scene, a musical pandemonium, which is actually inspired by Buddy's Rich historical drum solo during the Concert for Americas (held on the 20th of August 1982 in the Dominican Republic) and
• did i mention J.K. Simmons astounding performance?

Oscar awards (2015):

• three (3) oscar wins for:

a) Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role,
b) Best Achievement in Film Editing and
c) Best Achievement in Sound Mixing.

• two (2) oscar nominations for:

a) Best Motion Picture and
b) Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay. 

Evaluation: 8.1/10

Should be watched tonight if: you are into music or simply want to see how having a hardcore military commander as your music instructor is going to look like.

Trailer