My Favorite Movies- "Whiplash" (2014)
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
I've been doing the series for about a month now, and I've probably used the word "perfect" too often. When you break it down, no movie is perfect. There are always things that you could change. There's always an unnecessary edit or a line delivery that feels clunky. "Whiplash" may be the exception. "Whiplash" is a perfect movie. I've said it on here a million times that "The Dark Knight" is probably my favorite film of all time, and while "The Dark Knight" is a masterpiece, I'd be lying if I told you that there wasn't a substantial nostalgic element attached to my adoration for that film. "Whiplash" is different. Film is subjective, but this is one of those movies where if you don't like this movie, I can't talk about movies with you ever again.
This movie has so much greatness that I can't correctly cover it in an entire blog. It begins and ends with Damien Chazelle. He wrote and directed us, And I don't know if there's ever been a better debut by a director than this film. Watching Damien Chazelle direct "Whiplash" is like watching the world's greatest pitcher throw a perfect game on a night when all his pitches are working. I could care less about jazz drumming, but when you watch this movie, it's the most essential thing in the world. This movie is filled with music, yet Chazelle uses quiet moments to intensify the tension. The iconic scene in which J.K. Simmons screams at Miles Teller for the first time is one of the most uncomfortable scenes I've ever watched in a movie.
With a few exceptions, most modern movies don't utilize the camera. I know that sounds like a strange comment, but the way that Chazelle chooses to shoot and edit this movie gives it a unique and recognizable style. Every shot feels essential, and every edit feels like it matters.  The camera work is masterful. Even during its quiet moments, an intensity comes from this movie. When "Uncut Gems" came out, people talked about how anxiety-inducing that film was, but I feel that way about "Whiplash." The masterful direction sets the stage for one of the great antagonistic relationships I've ever seen in a movie.
J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash" is one of the great villains in film history. Terence Fletcher is fascinating. It's a character that gets better the more you watch this movie. There is a proper method to his madness. It's not just screaming. And in this particular instance, Fletcher's methodology works. Andrew Neiman doesn't fucking quit. Not to mention, J.K. Simmons is given some of the best lines an actor could ask for. For a movie rich with tension, you laugh out loud at some of the things that Fletcher says. But nothing ever feels out of character. He is a fully realized three-dimensional character, and even though I've seen this movie multiple times, I still go back and forth about whether or not his methodology works. It's abusive, but because of Simmons' undeniable charisma, and remarkable writing, you can't help but wonder if he's on the right side of things. I don't think he is, but the fact that I even have to think about it is a testament to this character.
Even though this is an acting masterclass by Simmons, I think the writing for Miles Teller's character and the performance gets wholly overlooked. Andrew Nieman is, in many ways, a victim, but I love that he has the balls to clap back at Fletcher throughout the movie. He's not just your typical everyman who needs to prove himself to Terrence Fletcher so he can pay for his father's hospital bills or some shit. He wants to be great and hates the idea of anyone getting in the way of that. He's imperfect and unstable, but he's also a fully dimensional character and Miles Teller kills it with this performance.
The final climactic solo in this film is one of the great endings to any movie ever. It opens the door for debate regarding whether or not Fletcher was correct with his philosophy, but it is remarkably satisfying as a finale. It's a director utilizing every tool in his bag to create something as exhilarating as a scene can be. Even though it concludes with the two of them smiling at each other, watching Nieman finally get one up on Terence Fletcher is as good as it gets. It's one of those rare movie scenes that take your breath away.
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This is one of those films where everyone involved in it has a free pass for life, as far as I'm concerned. I would never shit-talk J.K. Simmons. He's always been one of my favorite actors, and he happens to be a huge Detroit Tigers fan, but Miles Teller could be in "Fant4stic Four" parts two through seven for the rest of his career, and I still give him a lifetime pass for being in "Whiplash." Damien Chazelle has made three more films, some critically acclaimed like "La La Land" and "First Man," while others were remarkably divisive like "Babylon." Even at his worst, he remains one of Hollywood's best visual directors. I'll always be excited about what he has up his sleeve because he is responsible for "Whiplash," possibly the best film of the 21st century.