Damien Chazelle's Whiplash (2014)

[QBComics]

Directed by Damien Chazelle
Written by Damien Chazelle
Starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons

Trailer
Rotten Tomatoes (97%)
Metacritic (87%)
Release Dates

My favorite film of the year. The directing, editing, cinematography, everything I found to be incredible. The climax of the film had my heart racing, more than any blockbuster I've seen this year. Incredible filmmaking, I'm sad it hasn't gotten much attention here. Teller and Simmons gave brilliant performances, and it's likely the latter will walk away with an Oscar this year. If you haven't seen this film and it's playing near you, I seriously recommend you go out and see it, I'd love to read more reactions to it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. t:

 

[Jekecy]

Honest to god this is the closest I've seen a modern film get to perfection. I knew going in this was likely going to be a good experience, but I did not expect to have a visceral reaction throughout those 2 hours.

Every fan of cinema, the arts, and pure dedication, should watch this IMMEDIATELY.

 

[Boom]

Because I live in Ohio (a useless state to live in if you're a cinephile), I probably won't get a chance to see this until January. Same with Foxcatcher.

I am looking forward to it, though.

 

[Matt Mortem]

Movie of the year. Perfection, amazing. Never wanted it to end. 10/10. If JK Simmons doesn't get Best Supporting Actor I'll be shocked. Miles Teller will most certainly at very least get a nomination. That goddamn movie. wow.

 

[I Am Jack's...]

It's interesting, because while I enjoyed the film, I didn't get as much out of it as a lot of others seem to. Some great acting, and some brilliant sequences, but I just never came away thinking about it that much. My main problem, and this was a concern I had when I first saw the trailer, was that it was just hard for me, personally, to buy in to the premise. I never got too invested in the story, personally.

At least it can get people talking. And that ending is pretty perfect.

Probably not in my top 10 of the year, but just not my cup of tea.

 

[Matt Mortem]

It's interesting, because while I enjoyed the film, I didn't get as much out of it as a lot of others seem to. Some great acting, and some brilliant sequences, but I just never came away thinking about it that much. My main problem, and this was a concern I had when I first saw the trailer, was that it was just hard for me, personally, to buy in to the premise. I never got too invested in the story, personally.

At least it can get people talking. And that ending is pretty perfect.

Probably not in my top 10 of the year, but just not my cup of tea.

For me, I went to a film school with a borderline insane instructor and, while not nearly as extreme, I went through a lot of pretty similar emotions as the protagonist. Plus JK Simmons was amazing. Couldn't look away from his performance.

 

[CapedCrusader14]

This film was incredible. Holy ******* ****.

 

[MadVillainy]

This was damn incredible. The twists and turns were great. The performances were really something.
Incredible movie. Would go great with a Black Swan double feature

Heres also a very interesting tidbit from the director about the ending (director's words in bold):

Spoiler

Where do you think these two go after this movie ends? They had a moment at the end of the film, but I feel these two will always hate each other.

I think so. I think it’s definitely a fleeting thing. I think there’s a certain amount of damage that will always have been done. Fletcher will always think he won and Andrew will be a sad, empty shell of a person and will die in his 30s of a drug overdose. I have a very dark view of where it goes.

That should have been a postscript at the end of the movie, “And at 30, he dies of a drug overdose.”

That would be great, right before the credits, “Oh, by the way.” It’s a post credit thing, like the Marvel movies. It’s his funeral.

And Fletcher is there. He gives the eulogy.

“That ungrateful f***ing brat.”

http://screencrush.com/whiplash-damien-chazelle/?trackback=tsmclip

 

[Aesop Rocks]

This movie was, without a doubt, one of the greatest movies of the year. Teller and Simmons were beyond perfect together, and Melissa Benoist really made me blush cause she plays that cute girl role so perfectly.

 

[SquareWatcher]

Seriously, those last 10 minutes left me speechless. More exciting than any film I've seen in a while. Definitely keeping an eye on Damien Chazelle.

 

[StarLord]

Whiplash was indeed worth the watch. Amazing performances from both Teller and Simmons. Fletcher was an absolute powerhouse of a character and will be remembered for a long time.

The first hour was like a hard punch to the gut, and just as you thought you were recovering, the second hour comes right in with the KO.

 

[antsman41]

Damn.

 

[Boom]

You guys are torturing me .

 

[Kane52630]

Hey Boom...it's soooo good. I saw it again today... it pretty much is a great movie in that first hour and it gives you a swing you don't see coming.


I'm really pulling for JK Simmons to win best supporting actor.

 

[MadVillainy]

Who's is his major competition

 

[Kane52630]

Who's is his major competition

For the Globes it's Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton, Ethan Hawke, and Robert Duvall.

 

[MadVillainy]

I guess you can call them "competition" but Ive seen all of their performances other than Norton and I personally think Simmons blows them out of the water by a long shot.

I dont even think Ruffalo should get nominated. I think he was good but not Oscar worthy. Same thing happened with Kids Are All Right. Duvall wasnt that impressive either.

Im still patiently waiting to see Birdman though.

 

[Boom]

From what I've heard, Simmons is far and away the frontrunner. Good godly **** I am dying to see this.

Michael Keaton and JK Simmons winning Oscars the same year?

 

[SlamAdams]

Easily one of the best movies of the year. Despiter having just as many stinkers, Teller proves he is a talent to look for. And I love seeing a character actor, especially one as likable as JK Simmons getting so much recognition.

 

[MadVillainy]

Lots of smaller/under appreciated actors getting nods this year (possibly)

 

[Snow Queen]

I've never really liked Teller in anything I've seen him in. That is no longer the case.

 

[Kane52630]

Michael Keaton and JK Simmons winning Oscars the same year?

That's my hope!

 

[Asgard]

This was damn incredible. The twists and turns were great. The performances were really something.
Incredible movie. Would go great with a Black Swan double feature

Heres also a very interesting tidbit from the director about the ending (director's words in bold):

http://screencrush.com/whiplash-damien-chazelle/?trackback=tsmclip

That was kind of the feeling I had at the climax. Seemed like a major win for Andrew at the end, but the way he kind of smiles at Fletcher and the way they worked together was like confirming everything Fletcher believed about culturing talent. It was awesome but sad at the same time.

Im just hoping that after the performance, Andrew tells Fletcher to go **** himself and gets the hell away from him.

 

[antsman41]

Well, after that performance Andrew won't need Fletcher... he'll have better opportunities knocking on his door.

 

[MadVillainy]

I mean...the director said what would happen. Even though it came out during an interview he answered the question about what he thought the ending means. [BLACKOUT]It's not a happy ending[/BLACKOUT]