Starring: Miles Teller, JK Simmons
Summary: Written and Directed by newcomer Damien Chazelle, who’s modern day musical La La Land is breaking records this award season. Chazelle’s first wide release film made a few years earlier, Whiplash centres on Teller’s character and his relationship with his drumming instructor JK Simmons.
Not a fan of jazz music? Well, you’ll have a disturbing yearning for it after you see Whiplash. An excellent attempt of a screenplay as well as a beautiful horrifying direction, Chazelle presents musical concerts like battle scenes from our favourite war films. It’s electric and kinetic with fast paced camera movement and sharp, precise editing.
While La La Land is a sweet tale, with a light touch in its storytelling. Whiplash has an intense powerful crescendo, that leaves a harrowing scar behind even after you’ve seen it. It’s an obsessive look at psychological warfare, and it’s blended with its artistic subject matter in a way that’s more exciting than it should ever be.
If you’re a fan of Chazelle this is a must watch. And if you’re not into La La Land you may be into this, absolutely one of the best films to come out in 2014, nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Screenplay, Best Picture, Film Editing and Best Supporting Actor for JK Simmons performance.
Rating: 9.5/10
Words by Levi Eddie Aluede