We all have passion for some sort of hobby whether it’s sports or music, but is there a point where that passion goes too far? We see an instance in the film “Whiplash” where the passion for being the greatest becomes the biggest priority.
“Whiplash”, a film based on the experience of jazz drumming director Damien Chazelle, was released on Oct. 10, 2014, but before the initial release, it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 16, 2014. At the festival, the short film won both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize, which both helped raise funding to make the short film into a bigger project. In the box office, the film grossed approximately 50 million dollars and ranked number 15 at the time of its release.
The movie itself has a very real connection to life as Andrew Neiman, played by Miles Teller, shows a dark side to passion. Neiman, a nineteen-year-old jazz drummer, was studying and practicing music at Shaffer Conservatory when Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons, finds him and recruits Neiman for studio band.
As the story progresses, Neiman’s passion starts to take control, showing Neiman’s hands are bleeding after hours upon hours of practice. Neiman also gives up his relationships and even sleeps in the practice rooms, showing how far some people are really willing to go to achieve their dreams.
Closer to the end of the film, Neiman delivers his best performance with Fletcher’s band when the audience hears the iconic “Caravan” drum solo. These few ending scenes show that putting hard work and time into any passion will lead to success.
“Whiplash” was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars of Rotten Tomatoes, which is an overall good rating that I agree with. It won Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing in the Academy Awards. The film really has a deep meaning with quotes that do not full process until later such as “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job,” J.K. Simmons said. I recommend this film to music lovers and just anyone with deep hopes and passions for any type of hobby. Whiplash can be found on Netflix, Prime Video, Fandango At Home and Apple tv.
