One question: were you rushing, or were you dragging? Today, Friday, Sept. 20, marks the ten-year anniversary of one of my favorite films: “Whiplash,” by writer-director Damien Chazelle and composer Justin Hurwitz. The duo also created the widely-acclaimed film “La La Land,” starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, which dominated the 2016 Oscars, winning six Academy Awards and kickstarting my love for musicals.
”Whiplash” is an intense psychological drama centered on the character Andrew Neiman, played by Miles Teller, an ambitious jazz drummer attending a prestigious music conservatory in New York City. Andrew is recruited to play as an alternate in a campus ensemble led by Terence Fletcher, portrayed by J.K. Simmons, the conductor of the Shaffer Conservatory Studio Band. Fletcher’s unconventional and abusive methods of conducting and interacting with his musicians ignite the story of Andrew’s passionate, gritty and sacrificial pursuit of musical perfection.
The film originated from Damien Chazelle’s successful 18-minute short film of the same name, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The story is loosely based on Chazelle’s own experiences with former band instructors during his time as a jazz musician.
“Whiplash” is a masterclass in cinematography, often giving the audience literal whiplash through unexpected camera movements, fast-paced editing and an incredibly vibrant soundtrack composed by Justin Hurwitz. Chazelle and Hurwitz met as roommates during their undergraduate years at Harvard and have since gone on to collaborate on multiple successful projects. In 2014, “Whiplash” earned several awards, including three Academy Awards: best supporting actor, best film editing and best sound mixing.
For one day only, Whiplash is being re-released in theaters. If you’ve never had the chance to see this incredible film on the big screen, tonight at 7 p.m. at AMC South Bend 16 is your chance to experience the thrill of a lifetime. I hope to see you there!
