Damien Chazelle’s 'Whiplash:' Still a masterpiece after ten years
By Taylor P.H.
The start of 2024, January 16 to be exact, marked the 10th anniversary of the film Whiplash, directed by Damien Chazelle. To this day, the film holds a strong place in the film world, regarded as one of the greatest films of the 2010s and is one of my favorite movies. Since the year is coming to a close, I thought it would be nice to look back at the film and see what made it such a classic!
The psychological drama follows nineteen-year-old Andrew Niemann, played by Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, The Spectacular Now), a promising drummer whose dream is to be one of the greatest jazz drummers ever. After enrolling in a highly competitive conservatory, he is taken under the mentorship of famous instructor Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons (Juno, Spider-Man), and a teacher who will stop at nothing to realize Andrew’s potential.
The film is a tale of how the pursuit of greatness can consume one’s entire life, tackling themes like the costs of success, the harmful effects of certain methods of motivation, and the power of music.
On first watch, anyone would notice the music and its dominant role throughout the film. Damien Chazelle is no stranger to building his films around music, specifically jazz, with his other work La La Land, the 2016 musical comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.
The music in this film, much like La La Land, plays an integral part in the story itself with it not just acting as a subject matter but rather serving as a central character, driving both the narrative and emotional development of Niemann as well as the relationship he has with Fletcher throughout the movie.
An additional aspect that makes Whiplash so compelling is the acting performances. J.K. Simmons’ role as Terence Fletcher, which won him an Oscar in 2015, is still known as one of the most incredible performances by an actor to this day, with Fletcher’s iconic “Rushing or Dragging” scene being referenced throughout internet culture even after a decade.
The scene is a gripping portrayal of the intense relationship between Andrew and Fletcher. During practice, Fletcher interrupts demanding to know if Andrew is “rushing or dragging.” The moment shows the harsh belief of Fletcher that only under extreme pressure and scrutiny can true talent emerge. His verbal and physical abuse—which includes slapping and even throwing a chair at Andrew—puts his brutal methods of teaching at the forefront of the scene as he pushes his students beyond their limits.
The stress-inducing interaction between the two reveals the heavy toll that the pursuit of success and perfection can take on an individual, which raises important ethical questions regarding the relentlessness of certain teaching practices.
While Simmons did a fantastic job, Miles Teller shined in his performance as Niemann with his authenticity and intensity. Teller was committed to the role, performing much of the drumming shown in the film himself, which added realism to the physically grueling scenes. Teller’s ability to convey Andrew’s internal struggle with Fletcher and his extreme methods by using minimal dialogue and body language made his performance a pleasure to watch, making the relationship between the two characters an interesting dynamic to watch play out throughout the film until the climactic ending performance.
Another aspect of the film that should be pointed out is its masterful use of editing and cinematography. The film’s editing by Tom Cross plays a crucial part in the movie, which is made evident by the fact that Cross won an Oscar in 2015 for the editing of this film. The rapid cuts are what make the tense moments of the movie so unforgettable, especially during the drumming sequences; they mirror the frenzied, high-pressure environment that Andrew faces in almost every scene of the film. This, along with the cinematography, effectively captures both the physical and emotional toll the pursuit of greatness and perfection demands.
While Whiplash might not be widely known at Airport, its themes of ambition and the journey to excellence are universal to anyone in a competitive environment–whether it’s sports, academics, or the arts. Much like how athletes and students at Airport High School push themselves to succeed, the characters in the film face immense challenges and pressure to become the best version of themselves that they can strive for.
When asked what he thought of the film, Airport student Carter G. expressed his enthusiasm, calling it a “great film.”
Another Airport student Trenton L., while not having seen the film, showed great interest in seeing the film, saying, “it sounds fun and I’d totally give it a watch.”
Since its re-release back in September, critics have still been raving about the film and its influence a month later. With critics praising its greatness like Oliver Etridge of The Navigator calling it “a wonderful film and has been recognized as such,” and Kevin Stovich of The Loyola Phoenix stating, “even 10 years after its premiere, the film provides an ever-relevant view of an ardent artist spiraling into an obsessive state.”
Whiplash remains one of the last decade’s greatest examples of modern filmmaking and is a great expression of the artistic yet complex mind of director Damien Chazelle and in my opinion is a perfect film and I’d strongly recommend watching if you have a deep love for music, specifically jazz, or if you are just someone who is extremely passionate about what they do.
While no longer in theaters, you can still watch the film by purchasing it on services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or YouTube!