Literally had a boss like this from 2003-2007, till he was fired for bullying. Now, for me, it was his bosses above him that were more accountable as they knew what he was like,but he was getting results....until he grabbed and shook someone while screaming at her,and then they closed ranks and he rightly got canned. However, those bosses went on to have full careers and retired happy. This can be dealt with at all levels,not just from the people below a tyrant.
Terrence Fletcher is a man who views himself as doing what's best for his students, even viewing his abuse as necessary in order for their greatness to blossom. J.K. Simmons gives one of the best performances ever, being terrifying at almost every turn while somehow getting you to see why he's so convicted in his ways.
because the alternative would be a teacher that don t give a but he is there for the checks ...fnl is good too cuz with younger kids you cant be violent plus you see how they look at it as the highlight of their life further in life
I don' even think he sees himself as a 'good' teacher. The way he humiliated the protagonist by giving him wrong notes, therefore costing his OWN show with HIS students? That's just vile and stupid. Jesus.
I think we can also commend the director for his deep understanding of the psychology of abuse. I think besides JK Simmons wanting to be a music conductor in his youth, I think JK Simmons highly appreciates the directors vision. This was a terrifying film to watch (and abused people will be given a good dose of lessons on how to live their lives outside of an abusive manipulator.)
I'll never, ever forget Mr. Mosier from my high school concert orchestra...leaning into Emily, a struggling-to-play-her part violinist. He would stop the entire rehearsal, make Emily repeat her part, and then trash her performance in front of everyone. For anyone interested, the pressure given to classical and jazz students was intense. Whiplash is the most realistic portrayal of what it's like to be an aspiring musician under harsh circumstances.
I had a conductor who was very similar to Fletcher, he was always screaming in our faces if our tempo was slightly off, threatening to kick us off the band, putting people on the spot to play perfectly while he loomed over us ready to decimate us if we made the slightest mistake, people silently crying while they played, him screaming at a guy because his tears feel on the music sheet. It was a horrible environment, especially considering we were a bunch of kids and he was a big marine dude, the difference in power was insane and it made everything feel even more threatening. When I first watched this movie, I didn’t know anything about the plot, it quite shocked me to see a similar version of the abuse I went through, it felt like looking through a foggy mirror, where a lot of events and emotions felt like they came from my own memories. Spectacular performance by Simmons and Miles, it was a really thrilling piece to watch. Loved the observations made in this video about how Fletcher’s character came to life, the nuance is so important
I had a teacher like this when I was 10 years old, suffered under her for 4 years, now I'm 25, and still have nightmares about her sometimes. Whiplash was like living the nightmare all over again.
It took me 10 years to finally watch this film due to the subject matter. I dealt with years of physical and emotional abuse from my father much in the style of Fletcher. It was a great watch, and the final drum solo was a well-earned finale for both the protagonist and the viewer. That being said, I’m no hurry to watch it again, though I’m glad that I did.
I believe that JK is so scary in the role because he is playing complete opposite of his actual personality. I've gotten to meet him a few times at University of Montana functions, and also was lucky enough to know his wonderfully kind parents. The whole family is just a big bunch of amazing people we should all try to be like. ❤
I first noticed J.K. Simmons in the "Numb3rs" episode "Vector" as Dr. Clarence Weaver. I have loved him ever since. He can convincingly play obsessed characters who really think that what they are doing is what needs to be done to get to the true goal. For those of you who haven't seen that "Numb3rs" episode, it is worth a look.
Genuinely yesterday I was looking at your channel to see if you had any videos on Whiplash and was disappointed to see that you didn't, feels like my prayers were answered now
I couldn't help but notice, on the 29 times I've watched this movie, that the actor is very fit. He's been paunchy in other movies. That and the perfectly shaven head plus him always wearing the same outfit can be interpreted as a highly disciplined individual. The black tshirt sometimes makes him blend into the dark sets, making him look as if he's looming out of darkness, coming at you like an evil spirit. I've always wondered why he makes it his mission to make "a great one" instead of strive to be a great one himself
As a jazz musician I feel very ambiguous about this movie. On the one hand it was great to see a (cinematically seen) good jazz film being at the top of the charts, especially since jazz is such a niche subject. But the movie is completely unrealistic; the "sport" aspect of being able to play that fast or being drilled in that inhuman way is very uncommon in the jazz scene of the 21st century, especially compared to other art scenes (theatre, dance, classical music..). In most jazz bubbles I know the student-teacher relation is a respectful but very friendly one. I just hope that people who watched "Whiplash" don't think that that's what jazz is about.
Hi. Im in the military band side of music and oh boy, I still haven't watched this movie because it hits too close to home. As the narrator said, the lines between greatness and pain become blurred 🫠
I actually watched this film as I was solely curious about JK Simmons performance as a voice actor for a video game. JK Simmons is a talented guy and his voice reminds me of old school 1950s radio announcers! I have a hunch that the director plays the same game and thought of JK Simmons to be cast in the film for this reason too. In the video game, JK Simmons plays the role of a formerly successful businessman whose hubris lead to problems in his company and later an embittered CEO. JK Simmons delivered this role perfectly as he did with this film. I have no doubt why he won an Oscar for this!
Excellent video as always. Whiplash is an outstanding film JK Simmons is an excellent actor. It would be great for you to do a video on OZ, the prison drama JK starred in as Vern Schillinger. Keep up the good work.
I think J.K. plays one of the best villains ever. His motivations are clear, as you observed. And because of his power.. the desire of the young players to prove themselves to him create an oppressive atmosphere. Looking down as another is being verbally abused. As you pointed out. I'm really glad I subbed a couple weeks ago. Love your content.
"I can always start again. Make another band!" Jokes aside, It's hard to believe this is the same guy who played J. Johan Jameson in the Sam Rami Spiderman films.
JK was always one of my favorite OZ characters and it makes me so happy to see him getting the props he deserves. Another YT creator talks a lot about a characters "presence" even when off screen in the great supporting roles and this one definitely has that.
When he asks about his family, he basically tells him that he’s a born genius and doesn’t need to practice. Then he tears him apart based on thousandths of a second. That’s how you show someone with skill that they can’t get complacent. Complacency is the greatest enemy of genius.
As if it be worth it to endure all that bs Simmons gives him in order to become a great musician, it's not talent that makes you successful anymore, it may be more promising and bearable to join the Army
As much as I love the movie I feel that’s a key point that’s overlooked. Fletcher broke countless musicians and all he had to show for it was a shiny career not the Jazz messiah he wanted. And he didn’t even keep the career.
I did theatre at school and had a.... very emotional teacher/director. I remember watching Whiplash and just UNDERSTANDING the feeling the boy must have had, those few normal, human moments when you think "oh, they care for me, this is not that bad" and them BAM, you are being called names in front of the whole class. Maybe that is why I loved the film, it felt so real, so true, not beautified in any way. I am glad I did not go any further to study theatre, though. These kids at the academy do commit suicides once in a while, then there is a scandal, then everything subsides until the next time.
I have a music degree and neither I nor anyone I know had an experience anything like this in music school. Adam Neely correctly says that’s because whiplash is a sports film where the sport is drumming Realism aside, it’s still an amazing movie though
This is one of my all timers. There are still those who defend sacrificing your mental health for the sake of art, or at the abuse of others, and as an artist, I assure you it is not worth it, and it signals to me that they haven't had the experience. The Shining is one of the greatest films ever made, but Kubrick did not have to do Shelley Duvall, or any of the other traumatized actors, like that. If you can't direct without inflicting abuse on others, then you shouldn't direct at all. That being said, I would be SEATED at the final concert in this film.
These showbiz types tend to be sensitive or they eoupdnt be able to get into different roles so well. Idk how you'd manage all that talent and egos attached to it while bring a ppl pleaser. If someone wants to traumatized me and give me millions of $, that's a beer deal than most ppl with trauma get.
What happened on the set of the shining ? Also if you don’t feel like explaining any way to point me in the right direction, can’t seem to find it myself
@@jessicalacasse6205 Brady and Jordan were brutal teammates, not directors. As I said from experience, I invite you to sacrifice your physical and mental well-being for art and let us know how it goes. I don’t know how you can watch Whiplash and still this behavior as necessary. This is a typical from those who have not had the experience in entertainment or are gaslit into believing this is “just how it is”.
@@jocylynkirsty4877 this show you just havent had to do something hard that makes you better in the end ( just go do squat or running (( you see how sacrificing your physical and mental well being to achieve a goal is kinda the point of being human ))... Nothing worth having is easy or free ... Ps maybe your entertainment would have been harder in a era where weistein wasn t casting lmfao
Excellent analysis, as always, I'm definitely going to watch this movie. I absolutely LOVE YOUR WORK, every video you drop is a highlight in itself. But, after scrolling through your list of videos to see if I've missed something, it turns out that you've missed something, Sir😉🤣. One of the greatest- if not THE Greatest- actor in the history of acting, at least in my layman's humble opinion: Daniel Day-Lewis. Any chance for a Daniel Plainview analysis in the near or distant future, Sir?🙏 ☺
Thank you! I would love to but Mirimax copyright claim every video they can, meaning I would spend a full week making a video for free. I’m too busy with other projects outside RUclips to do that now, but maybe one day
@@JustanObservation Oh I see, these shameless big corporations don't accept 'fair use' anymore. I'm not exactly shocked. I wonder why they behave like that tho because when a guy like you (a pro)analyse a brilliant acting performance and make a video about it, it wouldn't exactly "hurt" their movie, I think it's quite the opposite actually. Thanks for the reply☺
What are the odds that just yesterday I was at a jazz concert at my city where Caravan was a surprise song to close the performance, and today you uploaded this vid!
I think Simmons is a great example of a great actor dont always have to be a lead and really if you think about it a great support actor makes a lead 100x better 🤷♂️ Simmons 1 of the greats in my book ❤
P.S. I don't want to call Simmons' Terence Fletcher a caricature, but I'm not surprised to find out that Simmons' first avocation was as a musician. Not that I've ever sung under the baton of a conductor as abusive as Terence Fletcher, but it's obvious that Simmons is familiar with the type of conductor for whom the performance and its success or failure is a reflection on the conductor, and it doesn't matter how many lowly performers he has to grind in the mill of those interminable rehearsals in order to get to the Holy Grail of a perfect performance.
J.K. Simmons is an underrated gem and one of the best character actors in the game. His performance in this film is highly memorable and striking. Fletcher is one of the best anti villains/heroes in cinema.
When Fletcher asks his name in the first scene, Miles Teller says "Andrew NAY-man, sir," and Fletcher proceeds to call him "NEE-mon" for the rest of the movie. From moment one he's using flippant disrespect to enforce his power over his student.
Relived all my traumatic school years. Psychological abuse,corporal punishment, fearscreaming e t.c. Without inculcation of conviction, passion and self drive, no amount of abusive teaching will produce a pioneer in a field. You get a perfect performance but kill creativity and innovativeness. Your students are unlikely to outgrow you.
While I have only praise for Simmons' performance, I think the movie suffers from its dependence on the premise that a character like Fletcher could actually behave like that at a prestigious music school. You think exceptionally dedicated musicians would pay $80K per year to put up with that shit? You think that the faculty, administration and board would all turn a blind eye for years to the potential legal risks of his teaching style? There is another reason why music teachers don't physically and mentally abuse their students: it doesn't improve their students' performance or their lives. The degree to which the film presents Fletcher as having legitimacy as a teacher - the "good job" monologue in particular - is a real problem for me and missed opportunity for the film.
but that's kinda the point, I mean the philosophical side (is there true greatness without pain/suffering and pushing too far?) aside, abusers at high levels are often great manipulators. They only overtly abuse those who are below them, and know how to sweettalk and covertly abuse and manipulate those whose good graces they need. Also, intimidating people into silence is a tale as old as time. I'm happy I've never met anyone like Fletcher in a school or work setting, but other sort of abusers in positions of power and prestige? Absolutely, constantly. Personally, I don't accept abuse, and I always bring it up especially when I witness someone else being abused, and you know what happens? Nine times out of ten, the messenger is shut down, silenced, bullied or removed, and the bully stays. People are afraid of conflict, they're also scared of what will happen to them if they speak up, managers on the top trying to avoid a potential legal hassle etc. Not to mention the psychology of abuse victims, why do you stay? Why does a victim even protect their abuser? Psychology is wild one-to-one, now get the whole institution involved and it's gonna be messy. The abuse also often starts gradual, if a teacher starts at a job and on the first day throws a chair at a student, yeah bye, but if they've already amassed a sort of cult like following (because of their supposed "greatness") a chair may have flown, but if there were no eyewitnesses willing to testify and the teacher is known to be harsh but fair among their colleagues, well...maybe the kid is over reacting? And this ofcourse emboldens the abuser every time they get off the hook, and things continue escalate, until something, or someone breaks. Like in the film, he was fired eventually. Until we as a society stop idolising perfection, the grind and dominance, this cycle of abuse won't change.
Flatcher apparently didn’t knew the meaning of hubris, as didn’t Neimann. The what ifs will always happen no matter which choices you make, the movie depicts this by showing that in his pursuit of greatness, Neimann dumps his girlfriend, just to later try to make amends with her and failing, this relationship became a what if, no matter how successful he becomes in the future. The other thing is that Neimann being so young, pursues an idea of greatness that is kind empty in itself, he values be remembered by strangers in the future, more than live his life in the moment. I may be wrong, but this is something common between young people, I myself remember pursuing this “greatness”, and the feeling that only by accomplishing it, will give validation to my life, this feeling is still lingering even after all these years. The problem with this pursuit is that, no matter how much you give of yourself to achieve greatness, the success is not guaranteed, we don’t know if the efforts will payoff. On the other hand, every “security” step we take towards a plan b, towards accept and prepare for a “normal” life, comes with a lot of guilt and the feeling we are abandoning our dreams. In the end it is a struggle between trying to to live our life to the fullest or trying to achieve “immortality” by doing something huge and unique. I think that it may be possible to achieve greatness without “throwing” your life alway super focused in one direction, but at the same time it is necessary to maintain in check, how much we are “giving in” to fit in the “normality”, to become another gear in the engine. And this is arguably that hardest thing, because we humans are so good at adapting, that we will adapt even to the worsest circumstances, and over time it becomes easy to forget our goals, as they usually are hard, and keep living our normal life isn’t, I mean, it is clearly hard and painful at times, but settling is easy over time, and when we see, do anything we really want will feel like “going out our way”, like a compromise, therefore, not worth of our time. Nowadays I’ve trying to do more and more of the things I like, play guitar, writing and so on, I’m 39yo and feel that my accomplishments still don’t make me feel “accomplished”, therefore my dedication to circle back to the things I like to do and the attempt to make more of my life. So I’m back to the hubris discussion. No matter how my life turns out, I know that I was happy for the most part, I learned how to learn, how to live and I’ll keep learning, I don’t suffer because what ifs, I enjoy what a had and enjoy being able to course correct my choices and learn with my mistakes. But could a person who gave up everything for one objective be happy, have a fulfilled life? I don’t think so. In the greek tragedies, the hubris always lead to suffering and pain, what value would be the work of an artist who didn’t live outside of his work, and what value would be his life, without all the other experiences he could have had? Whiplash is a cautionary tale about over committing to one goal and worse, doing this for reasons that are not even clear to begin with, while giving up all the other important aspects of a human life. It appears to me that Neimann really don’t understand what greatness mean, the same as Fletcher. When Fletcher says that “Charlie Parker wouldn’t be discouraged” he shows a complete incapacity to understand human behavior, the unpredictability of circumstances that leads to success or failure, including in terms of notoriety and anonymity. Many people get famous and notoriety with terrible work, while many others never achieve fame and notoriety, despite the greatness of their works. I don’t think that Neimann grasps this reality Many writers lived and died in obscurity despite the quality of their work, who’s to say they weren’t the next Dostoyevski or Shakespeare? The complexity of this problem is part of the message of the movie, Fletcher black and white view about greatness emphasizes the mistake of his ways, because ultimately it shows how even if he had his own “Charlie Parker” he would not recognize him, just like the heros in greek tragedies often didn’t recognize the error in their ways.
@raphaelcalado4335 I watch Whiplash essays and documentaries like comfort food- I was trying to mainly be positive because you seem so enthusiastic about the topic.
This is certainly part of it. It frightens you because the world takes mediocrity as normal. Becoming great is always a rough, difficult and lonely process.
I'm an educator...and there is NO WAY a coach or a teacher would be allowed to abuse athletes or students like the antagonist in Whiplash. I found the film to be very unrealistic.
Ya because the news headlines are completely devoid of cases of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and massive scandals in our education system. Our middle school athletics coach made kids do push ups naked in his office.
@@baxoutthebox5682 Maniacs and perverts in the eduction system are the exceptions, not the rule. Still, Whiplash is a great movie -- with a satisfying climax.
Watching this film at different stages of one's life & career, you start to realize that the ending is a warning on "greatness". It still has my favorite ending of all time for the thrill and exhilaration, but no longer the achievement. Andrew proved himself to be "worthy" of Fletcher's approval, but at what cost? Stripping out all parts of yourself until all that's left is the drive is never gonna last. In contrast to artists who make something of their own and find joy in doing what they love, Andrew is only doing for one moment his name will be remembered. Fletcher won by living vicariously through his student's achievements, that too is a bitter way to live.
Whiplash is easily my favourite film of all time. I love everything about it, the performances, the music, the directing, the cinematography, the editing, and so much more.
From his perfect performance of pure rage, you just know he’s the nicest dude irl
That was the most stressful movie I've ever seen.
You ever seen Uncut Gems?
@@DrakenGuardzyes.
I found relaxing.
Have you seen the shining?
Uncut gems and beau is afraid also stressful
Clicked on this faster than Andrew's double time
"SO YOU DO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!"
@@skmfilms4229 "I'M UPSET!" 😭
Couldn’t have said it better myself
NOT QUITE MY TEMPO
WERE YOU RUSHING OR WERE YOU DRAGGING?!
Literally had a boss like this from 2003-2007, till he was fired for bullying. Now, for me, it was his bosses above him that were more accountable as they knew what he was like,but he was getting results....until he grabbed and shook someone while screaming at her,and then they closed ranks and he rightly got canned. However, those bosses went on to have full careers and retired happy. This can be dealt with at all levels,not just from the people below a tyrant.
Terrence Fletcher is a man who views himself as doing what's best for his students, even viewing his abuse as necessary in order for their greatness to blossom. J.K. Simmons gives one of the best performances ever, being terrifying at almost every turn while somehow getting you to see why he's so convicted in his ways.
because the alternative would be a teacher that don t give a but he is there for the checks ...fnl is good too cuz with younger kids you cant be violent plus you see how they look at it as the highlight of their life further in life
I don' even think he sees himself as a 'good' teacher. The way he humiliated the protagonist by giving him wrong notes, therefore costing his OWN show with HIS students? That's just vile and stupid. Jesus.
I think we can also commend the director for his deep understanding of the psychology of abuse. I think besides JK Simmons wanting to be a music conductor in his youth, I think JK Simmons highly appreciates the directors vision. This was a terrifying film to watch (and abused people will be given a good dose of lessons on how to live their lives outside of an abusive manipulator.)
@@JohnKim-wx6vt that was at the end of the story lol. He was no longer his teacher he getting back at him for literally getting him fired...
Exactly
I'll never, ever forget Mr. Mosier from my high school concert orchestra...leaning into Emily, a struggling-to-play-her part violinist. He would stop the entire rehearsal, make Emily repeat her part, and then trash her performance in front of everyone. For anyone interested, the pressure given to classical and jazz students was intense. Whiplash is the most realistic portrayal of what it's like to be an aspiring musician under harsh circumstances.
I had a conductor who was very similar to Fletcher, he was always screaming in our faces if our tempo was slightly off, threatening to kick us off the band, putting people on the spot to play perfectly while he loomed over us ready to decimate us if we made the slightest mistake, people silently crying while they played, him screaming at a guy because his tears feel on the music sheet. It was a horrible environment, especially considering we were a bunch of kids and he was a big marine dude, the difference in power was insane and it made everything feel even more threatening. When I first watched this movie, I didn’t know anything about the plot, it quite shocked me to see a similar version of the abuse I went through, it felt like looking through a foggy mirror, where a lot of events and emotions felt like they came from my own memories. Spectacular performance by Simmons and Miles, it was a really thrilling piece to watch. Loved the observations made in this video about how Fletcher’s character came to life, the nuance is so important
"It's never too late, to show you're capable of more." brilliant. simply perfect.
I had a teacher like this when I was 10 years old, suffered under her for 4 years, now I'm 25, and still have nightmares about her sometimes. Whiplash was like living the nightmare all over again.
It took me 10 years to finally watch this film due to the subject matter. I dealt with years of physical and emotional abuse from my father much in the style of Fletcher. It was a great watch, and the final drum solo was a well-earned finale for both the protagonist and the viewer. That being said, I’m no hurry to watch it again, though I’m glad that I did.
Bro the drum solo at the end represents the protagonists fall to fletcher ways
sometime the push to leave learn to fly is more in a form of a a ss kicking ..
You're weak.
Good video but not quite my tempo.
Was he rushing or dragging?
@@jakeziegler6503 Start counting... IN FOUR DAMN IT. Look at me.
@@jakeziegler6503rushing😢
Is he rushing or dragging?
I believe that JK is so scary in the role because he is playing complete opposite of his actual personality. I've gotten to meet him a few times at University of Montana functions, and also was lucky enough to know his wonderfully kind parents.
The whole family is just a big bunch of amazing people we should all try to be like. ❤
I first noticed J.K. Simmons in the "Numb3rs" episode "Vector" as Dr. Clarence Weaver. I have loved him ever since. He can convincingly play obsessed characters who really think that what they are doing is what needs to be done to get to the true goal. For those of you who haven't seen that "Numb3rs" episode, it is worth a look.
Genuinely yesterday I was looking at your channel to see if you had any videos on Whiplash and was disappointed to see that you didn't, feels like my prayers were answered now
I just now realized I never knew what the J.K. stood for until this video. I never even thought about it
I couldn't help but notice, on the 29 times I've watched this movie, that the actor is very fit. He's been paunchy in other movies. That and the perfectly shaven head plus him always wearing the same outfit can be interpreted as a highly disciplined individual. The black tshirt sometimes makes him blend into the dark sets, making him look as if he's looming out of darkness, coming at you like an evil spirit. I've always wondered why he makes it his mission to make "a great one" instead of strive to be a great one himself
disciplined with a side of perfectionism, good detail! No sloppiness to be found. It must be exhausting to live like that.
Idea for a new video- How Jake Gyllenhaal perfected Lou Bloom from Nightcrawler
As a jazz musician I feel very ambiguous about this movie. On the one hand it was great to see a (cinematically seen) good jazz film being at the top of the charts, especially since jazz is such a niche subject. But the movie is completely unrealistic; the "sport" aspect of being able to play that fast or being drilled in that inhuman way is very uncommon in the jazz scene of the 21st century, especially compared to other art scenes (theatre, dance, classical music..). In most jazz bubbles I know the student-teacher relation is a respectful but very friendly one. I just hope that people who watched "Whiplash" don't think that that's what jazz is about.
Hi. Im in the military band side of music and oh boy, I still haven't watched this movie because it hits too close to home. As the narrator said, the lines between greatness and pain become blurred 🫠
59 years old for a bigger break is pretty damn cool
I actually watched this film as I was solely curious about JK Simmons performance as a voice actor for a video game. JK Simmons is a talented guy and his voice reminds me of old school 1950s radio announcers! I have a hunch that the director plays the same game and thought of JK Simmons to be cast in the film for this reason too. In the video game, JK Simmons plays the role of a formerly successful businessman whose hubris lead to problems in his company and later an embittered CEO. JK Simmons delivered this role perfectly as he did with this film. I have no doubt why he won an Oscar for this!
One of my favorite actors - JK Simmons. He's right next to R. Lee Ermey from Full metal jacket.
Excellent video as always. Whiplash is an outstanding film JK Simmons is an excellent actor. It would be great for you to do a video on OZ, the prison drama JK starred in as Vern Schillinger. Keep up the good work.
I've seen some music RUclipsrs who say this film is unrealistic in the context of real music education, but they always praise J.K's performance
I had a director that threw a music stand at us during rehearsal because someone was flat so idk I felt like it was accurate.
Those RUclipsrs either aren't musicians, or they suck.
I think J.K. plays one of the best villains ever. His motivations are clear, as you observed. And because of his power.. the desire of the young players to prove themselves to him create an oppressive atmosphere. Looking down as another is being verbally abused. As you pointed out.
I'm really glad I subbed a couple weeks ago. Love your content.
I just rewatched this recently and now you made an excellent video on it, great coincidence
JK Simmons is one of the greatest of all time, I'll never get enough of him
"I can always start again. Make another band!" Jokes aside, It's hard to believe this is the same guy who played J. Johan Jameson in the Sam Rami Spiderman films.
Why? Just put more irony and laughs in there and play it as a comedy.
JK was always one of my favorite OZ characters and it makes me so happy to see him getting the props he deserves. Another YT creator talks a lot about a characters "presence" even when off screen in the great supporting roles and this one definitely has that.
Just watched Whiplash for the first time 3 days ago. This video, as Fletcher would say, is on my time.
What a great analyze work, as usual ! I love your work and I love your channel ! Congrats ! :)
Thanks for deciphering this movie which wasn’t easy to watch. J.k. Simmons nailed it it.
Saw this film literally 30 minutes ago and it is the best thing I’ve seen since La La Land
Both happen to be directed by Damien Chazelle.
When he asks about his family, he basically tells him that he’s a born genius and doesn’t need to practice. Then he tears him apart based on thousandths of a second. That’s how you show someone with skill that they can’t get complacent. Complacency is the greatest enemy of genius.
I didn't realize until this video that my mother was a Fletcher (and I'm 56.)
this is genuinely one of my favorite movies of all time. im so glad he made a video on it
Great observation 👍🏽 I can never get bored of this film. Each time i watch this movie, it gives me the same feeling as I watched it the first time
I'm wondering why the original student didn't reprise his role in the feature length film.
He went just as hard in this movie as he did playing Schillinger. Brutal.
As if it be worth it to endure all that bs Simmons gives him in order to become a great musician, it's not talent that makes you successful anymore, it may be more promising and bearable to join the Army
As much as I love the movie I feel that’s a key point that’s overlooked. Fletcher broke countless musicians and all he had to show for it was a shiny career not the Jazz messiah he wanted. And he didn’t even keep the career.
What a hard line to finish on a video, great work as always!
I did theatre at school and had a.... very emotional teacher/director. I remember watching Whiplash and just UNDERSTANDING the feeling the boy must have had, those few normal, human moments when you think "oh, they care for me, this is not that bad" and them BAM, you are being called names in front of the whole class. Maybe that is why I loved the film, it felt so real, so true, not beautified in any way.
I am glad I did not go any further to study theatre, though. These kids at the academy do commit suicides once in a while, then there is a scandal, then everything subsides until the next time.
I have a music degree and neither I nor anyone I know had an experience anything like this in music school. Adam Neely correctly says that’s because whiplash is a sports film where the sport is drumming
Realism aside, it’s still an amazing movie though
you nailed it. great insights and review.
This is one of my all timers. There are still those who defend sacrificing your mental health for the sake of art, or at the abuse of others, and as an artist, I assure you it is not worth it, and it signals to me that they haven't had the experience. The Shining is one of the greatest films ever made, but Kubrick did not have to do Shelley Duvall, or any of the other traumatized actors, like that. If you can't direct without inflicting abuse on others, then you shouldn't direct at all.
That being said, I would be SEATED at the final concert in this film.
These showbiz types tend to be sensitive or they eoupdnt be able to get into different roles so well. Idk how you'd manage all that talent and egos attached to it while bring a ppl pleaser. If someone wants to traumatized me and give me millions of $, that's a beer deal than most ppl with trauma get.
What happened on the set of the shining ? Also if you don’t feel like explaining any way to point me in the right direction, can’t seem to find it myself
go ask brady or jordans what it took to be 1%
@@jessicalacasse6205 Brady and Jordan were brutal teammates, not directors. As I said from experience, I invite you to sacrifice your physical and mental well-being for art and let us know how it goes. I don’t know how you can watch Whiplash and still this behavior as necessary. This is a typical from those who have not had the experience in entertainment or are gaslit into believing this is “just how it is”.
@@jocylynkirsty4877 this show you just havent had to do something hard that makes you better in the end ( just go do squat or running (( you see how sacrificing your physical and mental well being to achieve a goal is kinda the point of being human ))... Nothing worth having is easy or free ... Ps maybe your entertainment would have been harder in a era where weistein wasn t casting lmfao
Love it. What an awesome movie. And an awesome video!
excellent analysis of Simmons excellent work
His performance reminds me of his character in Oz, but less theatrical and more realistic.
Strongest performance of his career to date? I dunno, certain episodes of Oz get pretty astounding. Also, the lemons?
Excellent analysis, as always, I'm definitely going to watch this movie.
I absolutely LOVE YOUR WORK, every video you drop is a highlight in itself.
But, after scrolling through your list of videos to see if I've missed something, it turns out that you've missed something, Sir😉🤣. One of the greatest- if not THE Greatest- actor in the history of acting, at least in my layman's humble opinion: Daniel Day-Lewis. Any chance for a Daniel Plainview analysis in the near or distant future, Sir?🙏
☺
Thank you! I would love to but Mirimax copyright claim every video they can, meaning I would spend a full week making a video for free. I’m too busy with other projects outside RUclips to do that now, but maybe one day
@@JustanObservation Oh I see, these shameless big corporations don't accept 'fair use' anymore. I'm not exactly shocked. I wonder why they behave like that tho because when a guy like you (a pro)analyse a brilliant acting performance and make a video about it, it wouldn't exactly "hurt" their movie, I think it's quite the opposite actually.
Thanks for the reply☺
He was like a officer I had in the military, pushed the limits.
What Vern Schillinger was like as a father!
So psyched you made a whiplash video
Peter Parker got the best shots of Spiderman only because he was never told “Good job”
I remember the first time I saw this movie, and the subsequent 957,000 times after
Imagine him wearing white Mr. Clean JK Simmons memes would be rampant.
4:37 He also would of looked like Mr. Clean.
Is there a word for a phobia of wasted potential?
This video is not my tempo. JK. It's right on.
What are the odds that just yesterday I was at a jazz concert at my city where Caravan was a surprise song to close the performance, and today you uploaded this vid!
I think Simmons is a great example of a great actor dont always have to be a lead and really if you think about it a great support actor makes a lead 100x better 🤷♂️ Simmons 1 of the greats in my book ❤
Indeed. I was terrified of the professor. I've never forgotten how he made me feel. 😂
P.S. I don't want to call Simmons' Terence Fletcher a caricature, but I'm not surprised to find out that Simmons' first avocation was as a musician. Not that I've ever sung under the baton of a conductor as abusive as Terence Fletcher, but it's obvious that Simmons is familiar with the type of conductor for whom the performance and its success or failure is a reflection on the conductor, and it doesn't matter how many lowly performers he has to grind in the mill of those interminable rehearsals in order to get to the Holy Grail of a perfect performance.
I think everyone who has studied music has had a teacher like fletcher
Unrelated but I’m surprised you haven’t made a video specifically on Christopher Moltisanti. Would love for you to make something!
J.K. Simmons is an underrated gem and one of the best character actors in the game. His performance in this film is highly memorable and striking. Fletcher is one of the best anti villains/heroes in cinema.
When Fletcher asks his name in the first scene, Miles Teller says "Andrew NAY-man, sir," and Fletcher proceeds to call him "NEE-mon" for the rest of the movie. From moment one he's using flippant disrespect to enforce his power over his student.
Nice video, good job.
My high school band director was exactly like this
Always love it when corporate doesn't get a chance to destroy a creative work.
Relived all my traumatic school years. Psychological abuse,corporal punishment, fearscreaming e t.c. Without inculcation of conviction, passion and self drive, no amount of abusive teaching will produce a pioneer in a field. You get a perfect performance but kill creativity and innovativeness. Your students are unlikely to outgrow you.
I really like your videos
this is honestly the best comedy movie
While I have only praise for Simmons' performance, I think the movie suffers from its dependence on the premise that a character like Fletcher could actually behave like that at a prestigious music school. You think exceptionally dedicated musicians would pay $80K per year to put up with that shit? You think that the faculty, administration and board would all turn a blind eye for years to the potential legal risks of his teaching style? There is another reason why music teachers don't physically and mentally abuse their students: it doesn't improve their students' performance or their lives. The degree to which the film presents Fletcher as having legitimacy as a teacher - the "good job" monologue in particular - is a real problem for me and missed opportunity for the film.
You are right that’s why he gets kicked off from teaching in movie if I remember correctly
but that's kinda the point, I mean the philosophical side (is there true greatness without pain/suffering and pushing too far?) aside, abusers at high levels are often great manipulators. They only overtly abuse those who are below them, and know how to sweettalk and covertly abuse and manipulate those whose good graces they need. Also, intimidating people into silence is a tale as old as time. I'm happy I've never met anyone like Fletcher in a school or work setting, but other sort of abusers in positions of power and prestige? Absolutely, constantly. Personally, I don't accept abuse, and I always bring it up especially when I witness someone else being abused, and you know what happens? Nine times out of ten, the messenger is shut down, silenced, bullied or removed, and the bully stays. People are afraid of conflict, they're also scared of what will happen to them if they speak up, managers on the top trying to avoid a potential legal hassle etc. Not to mention the psychology of abuse victims, why do you stay? Why does a victim even protect their abuser? Psychology is wild one-to-one, now get the whole institution involved and it's gonna be messy. The abuse also often starts gradual, if a teacher starts at a job and on the first day throws a chair at a student, yeah bye, but if they've already amassed a sort of cult like following (because of their supposed "greatness") a chair may have flown, but if there were no eyewitnesses willing to testify and the teacher is known to be harsh but fair among their colleagues, well...maybe the kid is over reacting? And this ofcourse emboldens the abuser every time they get off the hook, and things continue escalate, until something, or someone breaks. Like in the film, he was fired eventually.
Until we as a society stop idolising perfection, the grind and dominance, this cycle of abuse won't change.
Such a good movie and such a great performance. I love how the movie looks as well. Whiplash is one of my all time favourites
Really good breakdown, thank you.
He was great as Schillinger on OZ.
Can you make a video about Anthony Starr's performance as Homelander on how he manages to portray his character as monstrous & sympathetic.
Homander is sympathetic??? I know he's supposed to be, but I guess my anti-hero sympathy tank has been drained with Walter White and Saul Goodman.
He was perfect genuinely don't think he could've performed better
funny I was just deciding to rewatch Counterpart like an hour ago. Great show, wish it didn't get cancelled, but it works with the two seasons it got
Can you make a watching a man change video on rick grimes, love the video btw
Respectfully disagree about this being his big break but still loved the video.
0:29 "completely ORCHESTRATED" get it? get it? I'm sorry.
I love your content
It's Schillinger!
this movie reminds me of all the times i went to work with my dad when i was a teenager
Sameeeee!
I'd rather work with Hitler,The Devil & Stallin than with my old man!!!
Where's Mark, William?
Flatcher apparently didn’t knew the meaning of hubris, as didn’t Neimann.
The what ifs will always happen no matter which choices you make, the movie depicts this by showing that in his pursuit of greatness, Neimann dumps his girlfriend, just to later try to make amends with her and failing, this relationship became a what if, no matter how successful he becomes in the future.
The other thing is that Neimann being so young, pursues an idea of greatness that is kind empty in itself, he values be remembered by strangers in the future, more than live his life in the moment. I may be wrong, but this is something common between young people, I myself remember pursuing this “greatness”, and the feeling that only by accomplishing it, will give validation to my life, this feeling is still lingering even after all these years.
The problem with this pursuit is that, no matter how much you give of yourself to achieve greatness, the success is not guaranteed, we don’t know if the efforts will payoff. On the other hand, every “security” step we take towards a plan b, towards accept and prepare for a “normal” life, comes with a lot of guilt and the feeling we are abandoning our dreams.
In the end it is a struggle between trying to to live our life to the fullest or trying to achieve “immortality” by doing something huge and unique.
I think that it may be possible to achieve greatness without “throwing” your life alway super focused in one direction, but at the same time it is necessary to maintain in check, how much we are “giving in” to fit in the “normality”, to become another gear in the engine. And this is arguably that hardest thing, because we humans are so good at adapting, that we will adapt even to the worsest circumstances, and over time it becomes easy to forget our goals, as they usually are hard, and keep living our normal life isn’t, I mean, it is clearly hard and painful at times, but settling is easy over time, and when we see, do anything we really want will feel like “going out our way”, like a compromise, therefore, not worth of our time.
Nowadays I’ve trying to do more and more of the things I like, play guitar, writing and so on, I’m 39yo and feel that my accomplishments still don’t make me feel “accomplished”, therefore my dedication to circle back to the things I like to do and the attempt to make more of my life.
So I’m back to the hubris discussion. No matter how my life turns out, I know that I was happy for the most part, I learned how to learn, how to live and I’ll keep learning, I don’t suffer because what ifs, I enjoy what a had and enjoy being able to course correct my choices and learn with my mistakes.
But could a person who gave up everything for one objective be happy, have a fulfilled life? I don’t think so. In the greek tragedies, the hubris always lead to suffering and pain, what value would be the work of an artist who didn’t live outside of his work, and what value would be his life, without all the other experiences he could have had?
Whiplash is a cautionary tale about over committing to one goal and worse, doing this for reasons that are not even clear to begin with, while giving up all the other important aspects of a human life.
It appears to me that Neimann really don’t understand what greatness mean, the same as Fletcher. When Fletcher says that “Charlie Parker wouldn’t be discouraged” he shows a complete incapacity to understand human behavior, the unpredictability of circumstances that leads to success or failure, including in terms of notoriety and anonymity. Many people get famous and notoriety with terrible work, while many others never achieve fame and notoriety, despite the greatness of their works. I don’t think that Neimann grasps this reality Many writers lived and died in obscurity despite the quality of their work, who’s to say they weren’t the next Dostoyevski or Shakespeare?
The complexity of this problem is part of the message of the movie, Fletcher black and white view about greatness emphasizes the mistake of his ways, because ultimately it shows how even if he had his own “Charlie Parker” he would not recognize him, just like the heros in greek tragedies often didn’t recognize the error in their ways.
Dude, just record and upload this as an actual video. You just posted a script, not a comment.
@@benjaminzarkhin1293 the only question is, would you watch such video?
I’m confused if your comment was a compliment or a negative critique.
@raphaelcalado4335
I watch Whiplash essays and documentaries like comfort food- I was trying to mainly be positive because you seem so enthusiastic about the topic.
There are so many people that think this is how you achieve greatness - and that’s frightening.
This is certainly part of it. It frightens you because the world takes mediocrity as normal. Becoming great is always a rough, difficult and lonely process.
9:44 pain is the price we pay, for serving God.
So basically, this movie is musicians version of army basic training?
This movie was a complete surprise and a treat.
Whiplash Essays is one of my favorite genres
You should do Rachael McAdams from Mean Girls or Paddy from House of the Dragon 😊
I second both those picks.
You are supposed to feel emotions during a movie?!
I'm an educator...and there is NO WAY a coach or a teacher would be allowed to abuse athletes or students like the antagonist in Whiplash. I found the film to be very unrealistic.
Ya because the news headlines are completely devoid of cases of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and massive scandals in our education system. Our middle school athletics coach made kids do push ups naked in his office.
@@baxoutthebox5682 Maniacs and perverts in the eduction system are the exceptions, not the rule. Still, Whiplash is a great movie -- with a satisfying climax.
Why y’all looking down at the comments? There’s no mars bar down here
There's good beef to be had with stupid takes, though.
Watching this film at different stages of one's life & career, you start to realize that the ending is a warning on "greatness". It still has my favorite ending of all time for the thrill and exhilaration, but no longer the achievement. Andrew proved himself to be "worthy" of Fletcher's approval, but at what cost? Stripping out all parts of yourself until all that's left is the drive is never gonna last. In contrast to artists who make something of their own and find joy in doing what they love, Andrew is only doing for one moment his name will be remembered. Fletcher won by living vicariously through his student's achievements, that too is a bitter way to live.
I'm upset
When watching Whiplash with my father, the performance and appearance from Simmons actually gave him flashbacks of his lieutenant from draft service.
Whiplash is easily my favourite film of all time. I love everything about it, the performances, the music, the directing, the cinematography, the editing, and so much more.
That guy from that movie? That's J Jonah Jameson, put some respec on it.