Whiplash (2014) by Damien Chazelle

Whiplash is a 106-minute film centered on drama and music. It was released in 2014 in the United States and directed by Damien Chazelle. It was his first major film in Hollywood, and was awarded for film editing and sound at the Oscars. 

Whiplash focused on the main character, Andrew. It shows Andrew’s ambition about the drum, dreaming of Lincoln Center by graduating from college, he tries to reach his goal of drumming and become the next Buddy Rich. After meeting Flectcher, the music professor at Andrew’s college, Andrew’s life started to change entirely, including his personality, only focused on drums. Whiplash overall questions the focus of education. Education using violence can lead to success, and is it okay to use violence for education to push people? 

At the end of the scene of the film (93-104), Andrew ruined the performance due to the different music script he had received in the past. After he ruined the performance, he tried to run away from the center and go to his dad. However, he stepped back and played another music that he hadn’t finished during his college class. By performing his peak play, the movie ends. At this point, Andrew hesitated for a moment and go back to the center. It shows the conflict between his future career of drum and his life of freedom, but no achievement from society. Also, it shows the characteristics of Andrew that he desires to push himself in extreme conditions not only for his life, but also for himself to become a better person.