One of the best Films we’ll see at TIFF ’14 happens to be the first one we screened this year, the riveting WHIPLASH. After making a huge splash at Sundance earlier this year, the Musical-Drama still resonates and we predict some high notes come Awards Season. Writer/Director Damien Chazelle crafts a rapturous ride into the mind of aspiring young Jazz Musician Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller). The Drummer is handpicked by the no-nonsense and well, outright abusive Conductor Terrence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), who is drawn to the promise of Andrew‘s raw talent and ambition. Never for a moment though do we believe that Andrew has secured his place among the Ensemble, driven to a level of obsession-compulsion to fight for his spot until ultimately his World unravels.
Both Simmons and Teller are absolutely electrifying in Whiplash and dare I say, Frontrunners in the forthcoming Awards Race. Not unlike 2010’s Black Swan, we are taken on an all-or-nothing rollercoaster here into Andrew‘s journey as an Artist. It does not take a fan of Jazz to appreciate the phenomenal Music heard in the Film, paired to perfection with a gripping Storyline. Outstanding.
Whiplash plays at TIFF ’14 Monday, September 8, 2014 at Ryerson Theatre (3:15 PM), followed by Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at TIFF BellLightbox (12:15 PM).
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