this film has had some favourable reviews
appeared in various 'best of' lists for 2014
and in the running for a couple of academy awards
in-flight entertainment has it as an option - taken
small screen - yes - but volume plus on the headsets
it opens with a single snare drum beat - louder and faster
a young chap seen behind a kit in a room at the end of a hall
interrupted by an older gnarly bald chap dressed fully in black
master and apprentice - at the famous shaffer conservatory of music
fletcher (jk simmons) the man - last seen as juno's cool forgiving dad
winds up andrew (miles teller) with an impromptu audition - and gone
andrew then seen at the movies with an obviously doting dad (paul reiser)
and a girl in the candy bar that catches andrew's eye - we can predict
rehearsals at school then - andrew in the 'b' band - sounding average
then seen spying on the 'a' band - lead by the man - big difference
ok - inspired - he practices to buddy rich cds and gets promoted
on a roll he asks the girl out on a pizza date - so far - so ok
at his first rehearsal for 'a' band the master's technique shown
treat 'em mean keep 'em keen - the verbal abuse thick and fast
barker - that is not your boyfriend's dick - do not come early
screaming profanities at a trombone player supposedly out of tune
andrew then also copping it as he takes lead drums in the tune whiplash
the man being pedantic about the correct tempo - forced repeat of a few bars
an opportunity (taken) for jk simmons to demonstrate his take on his part
hand movements, finger-wiggling, grimaces, etc of a serious jazz expert
then a chair flung across the room over andrew's head - tantrum stuff
of course it is clear that fletcher has an eye/ear for andrew's talent
push, push, push is his modus operandi - as per john coltrane
a story told in private of he suffering the same fate with a cymbal
inspiring him to practice longer and harder to become the best he could
i kind of like this film but i kind of get annoyed by it's predictability
and the almost caricature-like portrayal of fletcher is also grating
example - andrew sees him being kind to a child - see - he has a heart
the band has an up-state competition - andrew on a bus to the gig
bus breaks down - improvise - rent a car - manic driving - accident
but the show must go on - he plays (badly) though seriously hurt
sacked - perfection only is acceptable - but he gets his revenge
a prior student commits suicide as a result of fletchers abuse
andrew (secretly) provides evidence so in turn fletcher fired
their paths eventually cross - the man working in a jazz club
just like all the greats did here in this greatest city for jazz
or at least as fletcher reminds andrew - coltrane name-dropped
the man invites andrew to drum in the upcoming jvc festival
sure - but fletcher out for his revenge too - sets andrew up
first tune - a new one - unknown - no sheet music - improvise
but this is big band jazz - not free-form - so the band sounds bad
he walks - he thinks - he returns - he then drums out of his skin
redemption - fletcher has done it - dad and girl in the audience
the end - no surprises then - but musically it's a cool ending
volume cranked up on the headset - very much enjoying that
the film - well - i probably wanted to like it more than i did
my hollywood-sensor flickering at quite high levels throughout
great acting - yes - but the approbation of the love of jazz annoys
especially by white-boy actors with blacks and/or females marginalised
and a blooper - fletcher - you could be signed to blue note or be an emc client
hmmm - i think he means ecm - but surely that would not get past editting
but then just looking out for such faults - cynicism is also in the house
fed more as the credits roll - filmed entirely in los angeles - phooey!
there will be nodding approval by many pseudo jazz lovers
but those with a real love for the music will be doubters
my feeling - it's really well done - but just too staged
of course - it's a fictional film - so there's no soul
which in the end is a big missing ingredient
very nice try though - oscar may approve...
