My first viewing of Whiplash left me with three definite feelings: endless antipathy for the obvious villain Fletcher, confusion over how the ending didn't seem to visit consequences on the characters for their "bad" choices, and high blood pressure. (My first viewings of films often seem to be simplistic and surface-level)
I'm still inclined to view Fletcher as the villain, regardless of Andrew's ambition. I'm still inclined to judge Andrew for casting aside his girlfriend so he can play the drums more. Something in me believes that, fundamentally, no amount of greatness is worth the sacrifice in relationships such greatness requires. To me, that last fraction of a percent of "betterness" is so inconsequential compared to the enrichment found in shared experience. But then that's coming from a guy who thought Andrew *always* was on tempo.
So this whole piece pokes (ha) at something that makes me uncomfortable. That maybe I'm not absolutely right, that maybe for some there is a *rightness* to the endless pursuit of perfection. And that, of course, was the point that I missed the first time around. The film is 100% a mirror.
Did dad ever see this movie? I feel like, despite him also being a perfectionist, he would have thrown the TV through the wall during one of Fletcher's abuse scenes.
I have similar feelings, personally. And he DID see Whiplash -- his main takeaway, if I recall, was: "If your hands are bleeding from practice, you're doing it wrong." (hahaha) I don't know what I expected, but... it wasn't that.
Good post. The inclusion of your personal story about your father really elevates this beyond observations.
I love Whiplash. I always saw Fletcher as a devil-like char, not in an Al Pacino Devil’s Advocate way but a clear enough stand-in for those qualities. He’ll do anything to help make Andrew great, it’s only through his methods that Andrew can reach his goal… and while I don’t think Paul Reiser’s character is God, for me he’s a stand in for those we leave behind on the path to greatness- and that shot of him watching Andrew succeed (fall?) are those of us who were sacrificed. It’s painful for sure. That ending hits on all the notes. Great movie. I enjoyed your take on it here as well.
The (very dark) thread I always tend to pull on with Whiplash is the autonomy of Andrew's idealism; can we even say that his is a triumph or a tragedy when it's Andrew alone that gets to decide that?
I'd expound on that a bit more, but it's been a hot minute since I've given it a watch. That might change now. Thank you for this.
YES! That is such a good point— and one that only adds to the horror for me, haha. Even if I could come to peace with my own read, it wouldn’t make a difference to Andrew! Thank you so much for reading 🙏🏼
My first viewing of Whiplash left me with three definite feelings: endless antipathy for the obvious villain Fletcher, confusion over how the ending didn't seem to visit consequences on the characters for their "bad" choices, and high blood pressure. (My first viewings of films often seem to be simplistic and surface-level)
I'm still inclined to view Fletcher as the villain, regardless of Andrew's ambition. I'm still inclined to judge Andrew for casting aside his girlfriend so he can play the drums more. Something in me believes that, fundamentally, no amount of greatness is worth the sacrifice in relationships such greatness requires. To me, that last fraction of a percent of "betterness" is so inconsequential compared to the enrichment found in shared experience. But then that's coming from a guy who thought Andrew *always* was on tempo.
So this whole piece pokes (ha) at something that makes me uncomfortable. That maybe I'm not absolutely right, that maybe for some there is a *rightness* to the endless pursuit of perfection. And that, of course, was the point that I missed the first time around. The film is 100% a mirror.
Did dad ever see this movie? I feel like, despite him also being a perfectionist, he would have thrown the TV through the wall during one of Fletcher's abuse scenes.
I have similar feelings, personally. And he DID see Whiplash -- his main takeaway, if I recall, was: "If your hands are bleeding from practice, you're doing it wrong." (hahaha) I don't know what I expected, but... it wasn't that.
Good post. The inclusion of your personal story about your father really elevates this beyond observations.
I love Whiplash. I always saw Fletcher as a devil-like char, not in an Al Pacino Devil’s Advocate way but a clear enough stand-in for those qualities. He’ll do anything to help make Andrew great, it’s only through his methods that Andrew can reach his goal… and while I don’t think Paul Reiser’s character is God, for me he’s a stand in for those we leave behind on the path to greatness- and that shot of him watching Andrew succeed (fall?) are those of us who were sacrificed. It’s painful for sure. That ending hits on all the notes. Great movie. I enjoyed your take on it here as well.
This is a great take! Still hits hard, and leaves you wrestling with the aftermath. Thanks for reading 🙌🏼
Tremendous work here, man; mad respect.
The (very dark) thread I always tend to pull on with Whiplash is the autonomy of Andrew's idealism; can we even say that his is a triumph or a tragedy when it's Andrew alone that gets to decide that?
I'd expound on that a bit more, but it's been a hot minute since I've given it a watch. That might change now. Thank you for this.
YES! That is such a good point— and one that only adds to the horror for me, haha. Even if I could come to peace with my own read, it wouldn’t make a difference to Andrew! Thank you so much for reading 🙏🏼
I really like the dichotomy. The conflicting emotions especially viewing it through the lens of your relationship with your dad.
Deeply personal and honest. Thank you for writing this.