TIFF 2014: WhiplashBy Wilson Morales
Writer-director Damien Chazelle’s second feature ‘Whiplash’ is one, thrilling, amazing piece of work. Coming to the Toronto Film Festival having won the prestigious awards from Sundance, the film has lived up to its hype. With both Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons giving in terrifyingly phenomenal performances, it not only deserves the praise it has received so far but stands out among the best of 2014.,
Teller plays Andrew, a young student jazz drummer enrolled at a prestigious school of music. Yearning to be good enough to be part of famed band conductor Terence Fletcher’s class, Miles practices relentlessly with both hands bleeding.
When Fletchers moves him to his ensemble jazz class, Andrew quickly learns that all the practice in the world couldn’t have prepared him for what he was about to go through in order to survive Fletcher’s class.
As Fletcher continues to challenge Andrew’s determination and will to succeed, Andrew strikes back, but at those around him that pose a threat to his concentration. That comes with the expense of alienating family members such as his father (Paul Reiser) and his latest girlfriend (Melissa Benoist).
When it comes down to just the two of them, it’s a matter of who will bend, who will succeed, and who will come out the better man.
What’s fascinating about Chazelle’s film is that Whiplash plays like a sports film. Simmons’s Fletcher is no different than a coach trying to bring out the best of his students. He may be not doing in the best way but he has a method and most times that philosophy has worked for most of his students. It’s about toughness and Teller’s is just as first rate and matching Simmons’ performance. For all the John Cusack references he may have had with his previous films, Whiplash elevates Teller’s game to another level.
Along with the performances, the music also plays a factor and we get to its outstanding conclusion, Whiplash will entertain all those looking for a good film.
