REVIEW: Whiplash

A film by Damien Chazelle

Whiplash is an American independent film that stars Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman, a talented and ambitious first-year drumming student at the prestigious Shaffer Music Conservatory. He is instructed by a hardcore and relentless jazz musician played by J.K. Simmons who was awarded Oscar for the 2015 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role.

This somewhat slow-moving film challenges the typical clichés of the ideals that many of us hold for musical prodigies and their training. There are no quietly organized ensemble rehearsals in this film. The physical and emotional limits of the protagonist are tested in each and every session. Andrew Neiman is a completely different character by the film’s climactic end. The music in this film is spectacular and the acting is stellar. If you are a fan of Jazz, do yourself a favor and check out a copy of Whiplash. Charleston County Public Library owns both Blu-ray and DVD copies.

— Tama R. Howard, John’s Island Regional Library

Find this and similar titles at Charleston County Public Library. To learn more or to place a hold, visit www.ccpl.org or call 843-805-6930.