ReView: 10 Years Later, ‘Whiplash’ Still Hits All The Right Beats

“Whiplash” is an intense view into the mindset of a student musician bettering his craft — at the loss of himself.

First conceived and produced as an 18-minute short film by Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash” received acclaim at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The feature-length film was released in 2014 to critical praise, providing Chazelle his directorial breakout.

Partly based on Chazelle’s experience in a high school studio band, the film follows drummer Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) pursuing jazz stardom at the Shaffer Conservatory. While studying at the conservatory, Andrew meets Terence Fletcher (J. K. Simmons), a highly respected yet verbally and physically abusive studio band leader. 

Throughout the movie, Andrew is pushed farther and farther by Terence, trading his personal relationships and well-being for the approval and attention of his mentor. 

A shining highlight of the film is Simmons’s (“Juno,” “La La Land”) portrayal of Fletcher, for which he won numerous accolades.

One particular scene summarizes the intensity of “Whiplash,” going so far as to outshine the rest of the film in some circles. The scene — which depicts the first studio band rehearsal — introduces Terence’s cruelty, showing him berating and assaulting Andrew, even throwing a chair at him, all because Andrew fails to match “his tempo.”

The camera’s position during this scene puts the viewer directly into Andrew’s shoes — so uncomfortably close to Terence the spit from his mouth is visible. Simmons’s ability to change from encouraging and relaxed to fiery and volatile in the blink of an eye raises the stakes in the film.

Another high point is the visual editing and sound mixing, both of which also won the Academy Award in their respective categories.

The fast cuts to the drum’s ornaments reverberating from being struck make the drums feel less like an instrument, and more like a monster he has to slay to prove himself. Close-ups of Andrew’s bleeding and blistering hands make even the smallest of injuries into a grotesque sight. The shaky camera in these especially intense drumming sessions adds to the chaotic and stressful environment. 

Paired with the drops of blood, sweat and tears staining an otherwise spotless drum membrane, the aftermath of Andrew’s relentless rehearsals looks more like a crime scene than a practice room.

“The interest [was] really mapping anxiety into a very subjective way onto the screen,” Chazelle said in an interview with Film4 regarding the process of making the film. “Kind of like a thriller.”

Andrew’s flawless rendition of Joe Stilgoe’s “Caravan” breathtakingly concludes the film. The camera dizzyingly swipes from instrument to instrument, constantly whip-panning from a determined Andrew to an agitated Terence until the triumphant climax.

This artistic choice not only causes one’s adrenaline to rise throughout the piece, but its chaotic nature also helps the audience understand Andrew’s motivation for putting everything on the line. Finally ignoring Terence’s demeaning intimidation, Andrew flies straight into a 10-minute-long jazz opus.

“Whiplash” explores the physical and emotional tolls pursuing one’s passion can take. Even 10 years after its premiere, the film provides an ever-relevant view of an ardent artist spiraling into an obsessive state.

ReView is a recurring film review column.