Whiplash (2014)

Now watching the film Whiplash. Teaching like that does not work. I know it. Stop glorifying abysmal teaching. I’m hoping though the teacher just tried to scare the boy away and he wasn’t actually performing that bad. And I’m pretty sure it’s a bad idea practicing until your hands break.

I like how the new drummer is smiling just like MC did on his first day, while MC is looking stern like the other drummer that first day. I wonder if the new drummer will be brought to tears too. Showing signs of it happening. (I just noticed the original drummer is still there in the back, wondering if he will ever get to play again.) Ah, none of the drummers satisfies him after his sentimental moment. I’m surprised this hasn’t happened earlier and destroyed the whole band.

I think I glimpsed the oldest drummer’s hand bloody, but no close view. Well his face looked like he was going to pass out. Someone’s going to start breaking stuff. Maybe the winner is the guy left standing. Yeah, the teacher started breaking things. MC wins and the loser is ordered to clean the blood off the drum set. And THEN they get to start the actual practice, where I he is of course supposed to play just like he finally managed. I’ve paused the video, and my guess is he is going to pass out here. Any more yelling just would make me sick. Looks like the director chose to just cut to the next scene after the practice.

MC is looking like a zombie after the practice. I think that look may stay on his face… This is character development.

“This is just like Scarface.” I think, and two seconds later he crashes a car. Whoa.

Wow. The end really got me. First I thought they had reconciled going into the show. The notes for the piece were not there so I was certain that was the final turn — the old man is a complete villain. But MC came back, for revenge I realized. The twist was that he was going to humiliate the old man instead and prove his talent by himself. And what I get instead? It’s a test, or MC makes it one. And what a test. I never cared for drum solos but this… I was not prepared. They both forgive through music. Yeah, the old man is a villain but MC accepted it, and he accepted MC. What a relationship. What a movie.

I forgot to mention I liked how the band members never said a word to each other unless it was an insult from being really mad.