31. Whiplash; movie review

 I WOULDN'T BET AGAINST JK SIMMONS WINNING AN OSCAR

WHIPLASH
Cert 15
106 mins
BBFC advice: Contains very strong language, strong sex references

A drama about a jazz drummer was so unlikely that it failed to attract either Mrs W or Miss W for the early Friday evening showing at Nottingham Cineworld.
A week later and Whiplash has disappeared from many of the multiplex screens.
Dare I say that those who have sidestepped it have made the same mistake as many big studios who refused to take up Damien Chazelle's initial concept.
Chazelle and JK Simmons made a short film which lured in the backers and, consequently, accrued the finance to make this wonderfully powerful movie.
Simmons has rightly been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of a band leader with sergeant-major tendencies.
Actually, he makes sergeant-majors look like teddy bears.
His character is a violent bully who, in seeking perfection, oversteps the line by a mile.
On the end of his verbal and physical abuse is Miles Teller, a young drummer, who is determined to make it big.
The relationship between the two crackles from the very first minute of the movie until its conclusion.
Meanwhile, its wider effect on Teller's character is as fascinating as it is devastating.
Of course, an appreciation of jazz music will heighten the enjoyment of Whiplash (I was humming one of its tunes for days).
But for sheer acting prowess it is worth watching. I wouldn't bet against Simmons for a golden statuette.

Damien Chazelle: At first I wrote this script but nobody wanted to make a movie about a jazz drummer so JK (Simmons) and I made a short and that helped us raise the money."

Reasons to watch: J.K. Simmons is just wonderful as the bullying, seregant-major-ish band leader.
Reasons to avoid: Those who don't love jazz or, at least music, will not get the most from this movie.

Laughs: Two
Jumps: one
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 9/10