Whiplash (2014), by Director/Screenwriter Damien Sayre Chazelle is a resonant movie that focuses on perfectionism and the consequences that come with it. Starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, the film does a deep dive on college student Andrew Neiman (Teller), who’s dream is to become the best jazz drummer in the US. He attends the Shaffer Conservatory, a fictional institution in New York City, where he meets his teacher, Terrence Fletcher (Simmons). The film follows Andrew through his journey to becoming an exceptional drummer, showing how his drive for perfection began and how his skills grew under Fletcher’s influence. However, many psychological issues were gained by Andrew after Fletcher started his coaching. Fletcher displays methods that are considered abusive, and not at all appropriate for a relationship with a student.
The performances were raw and intense, especially towards the end of the movie, which mixed well with the fast-paced movement of the film. J.K. Simmons (Terrence Fletcher) gave an incredible performance, one that threatens to make you hate the actor solely because of the impression of the role. Miles Teller’s (Andrew Neiman) performance mirrors the visible effort of Simmons’, put into his character, drawing the audience to empathize with Andrew while simultaneously rooting for him.
Before I watched this movie, I associated jazz music with songs with a slower, typically relaxing type of music. Whenever jazz was mentioned, musicians like Louis Armstrong and other artists came to mind. Because of Whiplash, I know now that Louie’s style is closer to smooth jazz, and that there are other types of jazz, such as the one displayed in the film. The loud, upbeat nature of the jazz music in Whiplash perfectly complements the intense style of the movie, and reflects Andrew’s mental state as the movie goes on.
The movie starts as what seems like a feel-good story about a 19 year old up-and-coming drummer, making his way in the jazz business, but soon reveals its deeper meaning of toxic perfectionism in the music industry, one of the main themes of the film. Perfectionism is something many people, including myself, can identify with. I feel that the movie accurately displays the effects of perfectionism, and how it can ruin your life if you let it. Especially when fueled by someone else’s impossible expectations, being a perfectionist is exhausting and in the end does not have a good outcome. Towards the end of the film, Andrew goes to extreme and unsafe lengths to acquire Fletcher’s approval, putting his physical and mental health in severe danger. Confusing passion with obsessiveness is very common, especially in the arts, and is one of the things that Andrew struggles to differentiate. His family, who he believes does not support him fully in his musical career, is another motivator for him when he feels like he isn’t doing as well as he should be.
Overall, Whiplash was a beautifully directed film that accurately portrayed what a young man would do if put under the kind of pressure that Andrew was. It especially points out the damages of perfectionism, and the impact it can have on someone. I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys psychological dramas, coming-of-age films, or movies that will leave a lasting impression that you didn’t see coming.
