There is a simplicity, a certain tightness, to the film Whiplash that likens it to a dynamic piece of music. Which makes perfect sense, as this searing double character portrait focuses on a music prodigy and the relentlessly demanding teacher who almost breaks him. Miles Teller, who has brought forth consistently good work since coming on the scene with The Spectacular Now
As Andrew, Teller creates a character we all know—someone so wholly possessed with the desire to be great at his craft (drumming in this case), but perhaps also dealing with some residual self-esteem issues that make it difficult for him to discern when enough is enough. After making it into the top class at the most prestigious music school in the country, he falls under the precise tutelage—and vigilant eye—of Professor Fletcher, played to perfection by JK Simmons (Juno, Spiderman). As incredible a job as Miles does, this film belongs to Simmons, who is nothing short of incredible. Similar to (and even scarier than) Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, the audience gets a sense of who this guy is even when he’s not onscreen. The effect of his performance is just as overpowering as the performance itself. Both actors, in the end, say so much about what it means to be consumed by creativity—the good parts and the bad.
The few scenes Miles shares with Glee’s Melissa Benoist are also on par with the rest of the film; Melissa shines as a down to earth girl who is faced with Andrew’s drive and passion for music and how it might not leave enough room for her. Miles uses these scenes to further illustrate a young adult who is struggling to find a place at the top, even if it means not taking care of himself.
Thanks to a smart script, clean direction and some of the best acting of the decade, Whiplash has a lot to say about creativity, music, drive, passion, and life in general.
Whiplash is in theaters now on limited release.
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