Credits Image: Imdb.com
Whiplash: The Quest for Perfection tells the story of Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), a young jazz drummer whose only goal in life is to reach the top of his music conservatory. Tormented by his father's (Paul Reiser) failed writing career, Andrew yearns day and night to match the great geniuses of music. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), a teacher renowned for both his skill as an instructor and his questionable methods, is the conductor of the school's best jazz band. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, changing the boy's life forever.
Andrew's sole dedication is something that displeases his father and his entire family - who see his dedication to music as a complete waste of time but support his cousins who play rugby. Even his girlfriend Nicole (Melissa Benoist) gets angry when he dumps her, however, her fixation on music training won't allow her to do anything less productive like dating.
Credits Image: Imdb.com
The calm initial of the film is replaced by the rush and the editing already makes that very clear. With jazz-synced cuts we are fluidly thrown from shot to shot, scene to scene, following Andrew's growing dedication and madness, who increasingly finds himself driven by success and his desire to impress Fletcher. And it is in these that the aforementioned close-ups fulfill their main functions: first, to identify us with the drummer and his instrument, second, to make clear and uncomfortable the degree of his dedication, which is physically transposed through sweat and blood.
In the more technical aspects, the musical score, the cinematography and editing stand out. To talk about the musical score in a film that addresses this universe is to rain on the wet; in any case, the score is entirely composed of jazz. But what fills the eyes and fills the picture is the exuberant and subtle direction of photography created by Sharone Meir. The cinematographer used warm tones, creating a rich visual environment, giving the film charm and elegance. The montage performed by Tom Cross stands out in the details.
Credits Image: Imdb.com
And, as if the film didn't need more reasons to be loved, Chazelle carefully creates a shocking and unforgettable climax, which suddenly accelerates the pace of the work after a moment of lull. It is a sequence nothing less than genius built only by a drum solo and the joint interpretation of Simmons and Teller. The director takes the final step of his characters at that moment, in a memorable way, cementing, once and for all, the quality of his film that so well unites cinema and music.
Credits Image: Imdb.com