Whiplash: Movie Review

 Movie Reaction

Title: Whiplash
Year: 2014

This movie (Together with Rudderless) was highly recommended by a dear friend around 5 years ago... for whatever reason i just saw it recently ...

The Strory revolves around Andrew Neiman, a first-year student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York City, hoping to one day fulfill his childhood goals and reaching a legacy like Buddy Rich. And Terrence Fletcher, a strict (well on the movie is more of a ruthless and in a way abusive) bad mouth professor /conductor bandleader of the Shaffer Conservatory Studio Band, Specifically plays jazz
seing the student has a knack for the beat, invited him as an alternate drummer.

Its a story of Perseverance, pushing oneself for approval..
And on the other perspective, pushing one's character to be at his best... or even beyond
Even sometimes in we can say in an unlikely manner..
Well that is looking at it in a perfectly positive way..

But there were no clear boundaries, when we can say it's too much... considering the fact that people have different tolerance...
And one must not really go beyond that.. because, yes it can push someone to be at his maximum potential that sometime people themselves didnt know they have it in them...
But the conflict comes when People like Terrence Fletcher creeps inside your nerves and gets in your head... it initially push you to do better ... but sometimes it can becomes a nightmare..... to the point of breaking people's will and lose really the sense of trying to be good at your craft and instead you do things to prove oneself.. for validity and ultimately abandoning the fun.
Or worst, as the movie's climax... threaten to take away something that you earned ...
And even bring you down into your knees.

.. My fave scene was when Neiman saw Fletcher performing in a jazz band . And had a conversation after. But By This time Fletcher was already booted out of mentoring the band, because of his past doings specifically the death of one of his former student which turned out to have hanged himself after going through depression because of Fletcher's abusive behavior.(Which Neiman testified anonymously). And Neiman as well practically abandoned drumming and was lived life in a different path afterwards
A tamer Fletcher, wearing out his sleeves and explained his teaching methods by stating he only wanted his students to push themselves to become their absolute best.
even citing Buddy Rich as example , how Buddy Rich wouldn't reached thar far (his status), if his capability wasnt challanged

In the end it seemed that everything went well between the two, and Fletcher even invited to sit behind the kit, as Fletcher has this upcoming gig for a festival. Which Neiman Accepted.
But it was a set up all along...
As the band played a diffrent tune that he wasnt aware at all..
It was a disaster and an uttermost embarrasment... as Fletcher whispered "I Know it was you" as The mentor finally got his revenge .. Neiman walking out for a moment and coming back and put up a great drum solo to perhaps redeem himself, he cued the band to play the song "Whiplash" .. in the end, i assume there was a sign of approval finally from Fletcher that his former student rose up to the occation and lead the band's in which turned out to be a marvelous performance

Xtra

I grew up and had teachers and mentors that were really strict and they were succesfull, in teaching us to be responsible and attentive, be that school or work... and thinking of it now, i still remember them. I always feel this gratitude towards them of helping shape what i have became.. Miss Dimatera (Gr.2), Miss Carmelita Santos (Gr.6), Mr.Raul Ricafrente (IV-1P), Ms. Purification Herrera (III-5P).Sir Larry Pasao, and Ms. Beth Olegario