At the heart of Whiplash lies an uncomfortable truth, relentlessly hammered home with the force of a thousand drumbeats. To be truly great at anything you need to work till you bleed, work until you hate whoever or whatever is making you labour on for that distant elusive dream.

This love/hate battle in the name of genius is balanced perfectly by the two leads and Chazelle’s ferocious script. Teller surrenders himself to the swirling, hysterical rhythm of the drums and Simmons is the perfect acerbic, unforgiving counterpoint.

Chazelle’s direction and Tom Cross’s editing propel the drama with the energy of a thriller and it goes without saying that the musical performances and sound design are stunning.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and Whiplash hits so hard it’ll leave you on life support, gasping for breath. Arse-clenchingly tense, witty and spiked with inspiring insight. Unforgettable.

RATING: 5/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Nate Lang, Austin Stowell

DIRECTOR: Damien Chazelle

WRITER: Damien Chazelle

SYNOPSIS: A promising young drummer enrolls at a cutthroat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential.