What WHIPLASH Is Really About 

Can we appreciate how 1000% perfect that cast of this movie is? JKS and Miles Teller were born to play these roles.

Whiplash is a classic. You're dead on about it being a cautionary tale

I never noticed his father's reaction at the end as being concerned his sons soul died...it's an amazing detail. I could reason that this movie was about an abusive person in power. At the end it was tragic that you see the abused, Andrew, be caught in a cycle of allowing the abuse to continue. The Dad is an extraordinary character. I didn't pay enough attention to his importance in the small interaction.

Awesome acting by Bezos and Zuckerberg

i just noticed that at the dinner with family Andrew aspires to be remembered by people who never met him. But at the dinner date with Nicole he points out the song playing at the shop and knows who the drumer is, but Nicole pays no mind. This shows to me that legacy is not actually promised at all.

In your 20s and early 30s you tend to fall for this trap cause you're trying to create a path for yourself in a world that seems already crowded with amazing, more experienced people. Some people don't think about the future at all and just live in the present, whereas others forget to live in the present cause they're so worried about the future. I think both ends of the spectrum can make you miserable.

I think it's important to mention that Fletcher tells him that prolific jazz scouts are in the audience at the last performance. Whether truthful or not, this puts the performance in Andrew's mind as his 'big shot', increasing the stakes even more.

Man, as someone who attempted to unsubscribe from life after failing to reach the standards I set for myself... This film hit hard. Ambition doesn't have to be self destructive, but we are often seduced by greatness and light ourselves on fire in order to fuel our hopes and dreams.

I know wishing violence on Fletcher wasn’t the point. But maaan, when Neiman tackled him, I wish the directors would’ve given us viewers a few solid blows to Fletcher’s face before Andrew was restrained.

I'm stunned that anyone saw the ending of this movie as "triumphant." Guys like Andrew do end up dead with a fifth of liquor, a bottle of pills, and a needle almost always. They are never, ever happy. Never. The ending was very clear to me, and I think the Black Swan comparison is an excellent one because nobody walked away from that thinking Natalie Portman's character was "triumphant" because her ending was shown. Edit: Oh, and guys like Fletcher live long miserable lives because they are middle men. Managers who never actually do the great things, but pursue them by perverse association. 2nd Edit: Okay. I just watched a clip of an interview with the director. He said the same thing I just did. Andrew ends up exactly as his father said he would.

Whiplash does not seem to ask if greatness is worth it. It's more like a cautionary tale about confusing being harsh with being demanding. Greatness does not require harshness, it requires commitment, perseverance, passion and more so inspiration. The movie shows the trap of underestimating the importance of kind support and meaningful art. It also shows the ego-rooted part of it, the sterile obsession, celebrating other's failures instead of pushing the art further together, drying every other aspects of life that are supposed to enrich it. Fletcher and Andrew are interpretative performers, it raises the missing creative part of this approach. It's quite ironic that the true moment of magic happens when Andrew disobbeys Fletcher's lead and starts playing Caravane. Both things maybe suggesting that the artist should get closer to a composer, not a soldier.

Fletcher is particularly disgusted. He is so vile about making the best in stead of becoming the best himself. He’s taking his self loathing out on others. He knows he doesn’t have what it takes so he’s crushing others, proving nobody else has what it takes either. Even if he did find the next Charlie Parker, he’d be sure to destroy them. He’s a sick man.

You could also look at the scene where Fletcher tortures the three drummers after the news of his former student's suicide, because he wants to weed out any one who might do the same thing as his former student. In that scene, he is trying to go as hard as possible to force them to leave if they can't take it, to try and weed out anyone else who might later crack under the pressure and hurt themselves. That's what I always thought.

As a drummer I could relate to this film. This is probably the only film that takes drumming and drummers seriously. This could also apply to any co-dependant and abusive relationship. Yearning for validation and being manipulated and gaslighted into doing anything just for the hope of pleasing the abuser. Abusers will pull you away from everyone who might save you from the abuser. The leaving then going back is also part of the unhealthy dynamic. The film is less about music and greatness and more about the need for validation and belonging at any cost and the willingness to debase and demean oneself for the scant hope that you will win the approval of others.

Here's the thing. The next Charlie Parker wouldn't need "motivated" and especially in this manner. He chased his CP away a long time ago.

Dude, I remember seeing this movie shortly after it came out, while it is such an amazing film, it literally triggered some like PTSD in me that I had from a super abusive high school basketball coach who did very similar shit to what Fletcher does to Andrew in this movie... Some really heavy stuff that is hard to ever let go of, and for sure a cautionary tale. To this day I still can't rewatch this movie just from how it made me feel the first time

Can’t believe it took me almost 9 years to watch this movie and it’s on my top 3 favorite movies of all time. I was sweating by the end and smiling along with the characters. As a musician it really moved me. Excellent film!

The crazy thing is is that the director of whiplash said that Andrew would die in his thirties of drug overdose just like his dad told him

“ It’s, it’s about family” That’s right Jay!

a friend pointed out the in the scene where we see only fletcher's eyes during andrews solo, fletcher is saying "good job"

21:31 I’ve watched this movie several times and the crash scene is one of the most interesting to me. When Neiman drops his drumstick instead of immediately being told to get out, Fletcher gives him another chance to get it together and even has a look of concern instead of pure anger. Only after Neiman cannot recover and the overall performance is effected that Fletcher calmly tells him he’s done. It does show, however mildly, that Fletcher does care about his students that have that level of drive.

Another interesting bit here is that before this scene, Andrew was asked to be there at 6am. We'll before they started. And In the hallway scene beforehand, Fletcher disarmed Andrew by telling him that 'he's here for a reason'.

I watched this movie recently for the third or fourth time recently and I could be wrong but I think when Fletcher nods and “smiles” he’s actually mouthing the words “good job.” As if either in recognition or as one final jab at Andrew.

16:54 THANK YOU. I am so glad you said that because I do not see fletcher as a freaking man who takes pleasure in what he does, I see it as him using it as a outlet to let out his pain.

Whiplash really was such an incredible movie. Extremely underrated.

I loved this movie. It felt visceral and real. I feel like what you take home from the movie depends on how you see the world. Some of my friends were critical of Fletchers treatment of Andrew whereas others say him as a critical part of Andrews obsession with drumming perfection. It's open to interpretation really.

I didnt see Andrew leaving his father to play Caravan as turning his back on family but showing up Fletcher which is what he did however approval is what he wanted. He knew his talent

I felt the ending signified that he had overcame Fletcher. Andrew wanted his approval so much, and the ultimate moment of slight from Fletcher came and he was done. But then he decided his worth and knew he could prove what he actually was. Andrew defied Fletchers plan and took initiative. He ignored and didn't care of Fletcher's reaction, he just pushed back. Even though Fletcher does in the end approve of him, it doesn't matter anymore, he won.

I’ve always held the belief that if someone has to verbally/physically/mentally abuse someone to get the best out of them you’re not a great conductor. Same goes for teachers, coaches, and directors. If Fletcher was truly great at what he does he could elevate the talent he teaches to amazing heights without abusing them.

Fletcher took the folder. He gives the notes back to Neiman at the concert in the end. That Close-up shot of Fletcher is super creepy, the smile is almost hidden by the framing of the shot. And yes, the father seems a bit worried, he knows his son is ready to go all the way for the teachers approval. Yet, it is a usual tale around mentors and mentoring new artists. Artists are ego maniacs and when their ego is pushed they get better. And that is a fact. Great thriller, different. I love it. Has a powerful message to give.

23:20 I'll say it, Fletcher is 100% wrong in his philosophy. He's just making excuses for terrorizing people. On top of which, his definition of greatness is painfully narrow-minded. His is a world where musicians don't actually make art, they don't break boundaries or change the game, they just play the same old songs and obsess over who was more perfect at it. That's not art, it's show business.

This whole movie felt like bootcamp. I'm sure a lot of service members could relate to Andrew. All that abuse and all you have to do to make it stop is not listen to the guy telling you what to do, but you do it anyway bc you want to be apart of something and see your full potential.

Incredible video. This must've taken a great amount of work. Thank you for explaining what I couldn't put it words for me.

I think the main problem with Fletchers Jo Jones throwing a cymbal at Charlie Parker analogy is that Fletcher is no Jo Jones, he’s a jazz teacher lol

Box cutter scene 💯 It's hard to turn the Saul lens off, isn't it? Love this movie. It reminds me of Black Swan and the quest for greatness; both films take the idea of suffering for your art to the next level.

Such an amazing film and it’s cool to hear you talk about it in such detail. Keep up the great work and have a great weekend!

Nothing better to see after work than a onetake vid about whiplash

This movie gave me more anxiety than most horror movies I constantly was worried about fletcher flipping out at Andrew I constantly got worried he’d mess up bc I knew what was coming

Neyman is basically the physical embodiment of what it means to be an intern

Excellent deep dive. Liked hearing your takeaways as you compared it to your own tests at work.

Tbh i think fletcher might be the "antagonist", but he's not that bad of a guy. The movie clearly shows him drawing a line between his personal & teacher persona. Only thing out of left field was the slapping. The final screw over is fuzzy, i think that was just an eye for an eye for losing his job, not really part of the teacher-student allegory. But in reality the *enemy* of andrew was andrew himself. His choices ultimately drive the conflict. Especially the car crash, that shit was 100% andrew, fletcher did nothing wrong in that situation.

Simply put, this movie is about rising to greatness, and how although hard work is a must, you can't break through without improvisation and inspiration. No drill sergeant can burn it into you, that's not enough, which is why one of his students kills himself. The main character becomes great because he starts performing true jazz, which is improvisational. So ultimately the film isn't about greatness, or an individual soul it's about the soul of jazz and true art.

I really liked your financial model analogy. Also, i didnt realise that andrew ended up dressing like fletcher on their third date! Thats a really good spot

Such a great movie and was my favorite movie that year. Such a simple story but oh boy is the acting and writing amazing. Loved every minute of the movie.

as a classically trained drummer and a huge Miles Teller fan even before this came out, this movie hit me hard. I remember times in my life when I had that same ambition. I would sit in my room practicing until I couldn't physically hold the sticks anymore. This movie will always have a special place I my heart. and I think anyone whose ever really tried to be the best at ANYTHING would have a hard time not falling in love with it. one of the greats

Amazing work as always. Keep up the good work.

Another very enjoyable analysis! I haven't seen this movie in years, and I certainly was not conscious of most of the things you very elegantly unpack here. Yet, somehow your elucidation appears as a higher resolution version of my now old and pixellated impressions of the movie. I guess that's a sign of good storytelling on both you and the directors part. Thanks!

One should never aspire to be the best - aspire only to be YOUR best. The rest will work itself out in time. Glory is a vain pursuit. The love of the art and joy of performance is its own reward, and where greatness emerges.

Oh my god bro this resonates with me so much and what I have done to people with the movie whiplash I love this and it resonates with me being that against the Canadian job market. You just earned yourself a sub mate, great job this is such an amazing video

Honestly, that analogy about financial models was really great tbh. nice video 👍

My son and I watched this together (he is a musician), and I made sure to make him understand the Charlie Parker died a heroin addict/alcoholic at age 35.

What I saw in those final moments in the movie was freedom. Everything aligned. He wasn't worried about anything. He was just letting loose. The familiar scene of blood dripping down his hand, that was his dedication, his passion, his being. In that moment, that was his everything. It was his magnumopus. Or at least that's what I felt.

0:25 I interpret this movie and what Fletcher said at the end about wanting to mentor the main character into being a prodigy, that Fletcher had approved of and chosen the main character when he first meets him. But overall, amazing video!!

I’ve always thought that the fathers expression at the end was out of awe bc he hadn’t realized how incredible his son really was at playing the drums

One thing not mentioned in this was that the chair Fletcher threw was the equivalent of cymbal he talks about in an earlier scene. The insults he uses after were prepared in the same discussion he mentioned the cymbal in.

this is a great analysis, amazing work!

I will not finish the video because I managed to come to the same exact conclusions you have. I would like to be able to express it through my own words rather than another. Great analysis

finishing with neiman’s father’s words “perspective” was crucial. if only andrew rid himself of his tunnel vision.

This movie was super interesting for me. JK Simmons is an amazing actor, but back in high school, I wanted to do more than classical and "safe for football games" songs. Finally in my senior year they introduced a zero hour Jazz Band and I jumped on it. Now I have to admit I wasn't the best at practicing so I was often at the bottom of the second band. So, when I got the chance to walk in the door with the first band to start playing more encouraging and fun music, I didn't hold back. The only thing I did that shocked any of my directors was playing the opening piece of trumpet with notes I've never been heard playing (since I was always on the bottom) that stopped the everyone in their tracks and stare at me. To counteract the bad ass moment, I had to get the first band people to tell me what the fingerings were. Now, post high school, I probably could have practiced more and possibly got into a college band program. But I never been so drive to play. Unlike... My older brother who plays drums in a couple of different bands. I asked him about the movie and he didn't have a lot to say. But he said "You don't stop playing." That is the part that stuck out, but to paraphrase, he went on about being dedicated. It still wasn't a long conversation, but he is a tough guy and pushes himself. He has put in that effort over and over again. Cut hands, bleeding hand, whatever it takes you finish the set. If he took the college route, I could see him like the back up brought in to motivate Andrew further. Dedicated enough to kick ass at a difficult part, but its not so important to give up everything. The ending isn't a triumph, its a glorified middle finger and it's sad. I wish I could find something proud in it, but to me it is like going to a high school bully on their death bed and punching in the face so you can have the last hit in.

I can’t imagine… I’ve watched kids who love music drop band going into High School bc they want to continue loving music instead of having to compete with their own bandmates for numbered chairs, much less with other schools for trophied Spectaculars and such. On the flip side of that, I can understand loving something so much that you cannot accept anything but perfection.

Interesting thought about the dad’s face in the final scene. Personally, I had always interpreted his dad’s expression as awe and shock in realizing the passion/talent/greatness that his son is finally realizing. It was always my opinion that his family never took his drumming seriously and so this was a defiant moment in proving them wrong.

I had the opportunity to play in a relatively elite saxophone ensemble, and the ear of Fletcher and knowing the minutia of a tune so well to immediately axe someone for failing their pre-show rehearsal shook me enough to remember exactly why I didn't choose musical performance/theory as my career. Perfection is necessary, and if you can't cut it, be gone. Andrew's story through the ordeal is truly relatable for any musician in a high pressure audition/performance environment. Whiplash is a great precautionary tale for any music student of what can happen in the wrong environment.

What a great dissection of the movie. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

This is an absolutely perfect breakdown, at least from what I thought

The thing that’s always bothered me about Fletcher is, who says he’s the gatekeeper of greatness? Is he a band leader, a prominent critic, a record producer, no, as far as I can see, he’s a high school band teacher. He can certainly say who’s the best in his class but beyond that, who the hell are you, Fletcher?

Great movie. When I was a teacher in my 20s, I was always fair to my students. I explained you might suck at something, but great at something else. No one can be great at everything. The secret is finding what you love and work hard at it. No one is suddenly good at something, you must develop your talent.

I have watched video essays where they compare Whiplash and La la land as two different paths one can take to greatness. The latter seems to be more joyful. I wonder if you think the same, and I'd love to see your breakdown of La la land. Great video!

This movie was wild! Andrew wanted to be great. He became great. I get tired of people pushing their narratives when analyzing the movie.

I'm pretty sure I remember reading someone else's comment pointing this out, but Fletcher's playing at the club is some of the most milquetoast disingenuous pseudo-jazz you could imagine, so you have to wonder if that was intentional or not? If so, it could indicate that Fletcher is motivated by his frustration over his own lack of greatness. Either he is just bitter and resentful or he is trying to compensate for his own lack of greatness by bringing it out from someone else.

Putting this in perspective, Whiplash is fuel for people who want to be the absolute best. Probably why I love this movie so much. I am a drummer myself, and all I want is to be better than anything. When I watched this movie for the first time, I was tranced and amazed by the cinematic elements of the movie. I was in love with the idea of success in grief. I still continue to consider this movie as my inspiration, which may be too much. But honestly, it gave me such a great outlook on how some people can really be pushed and shoved into a corner. Which they never leave, because it’s a secluded space of isolation. To stay in a place such as that, they have no where else to go.

did NOT expect to see The Thing mentioned here, and it was a welcome surprise!

I feel this movie. It reminds me how the military tears down young adults and builds them up to be strong independent warriors while still being a part of the team.

I interpreted the dads expression in the finale act as him realizing that his son is great, at the dinner table seen they all wrote his profession off thinking it lesser then football but seen is son rise to the occasion he truly sees that he is not his youngest son but probably the greatest son

All one has to do is look at the greatest musical artists in the classical music world and their relationships with their teachers to see that extremes are never employed or called for. Great teachers support, analyze, suggest improvements, and constructively criticize. They NEVER abuse.

20:13 - I definitely don't see it as that. That smile was more "Now it's my time, now I get to show what I know". That being said, I watched this movie a long time ago, so I may not remember the movie correctly.

In any competition, excellence is earned. If excellence becomes your outlook, your philosophy, then struggle is inevitable. Andrew needs to channel Fletcher to push himself. After that, he needs to become mindful of his anxiety and relax. It takes years to find oneself in music

I'm torn by the end though. Like in Rocky, where he gets knocked down but he gets back up. He went back even after being embarrassed, which shows strength. He overcame and his future perhaps is not just being a drummer.

andrew definitely ends the movie thinking he’s the next charlie parker, but he’s more on his way to being the next sean casey

that's a great analysis that I adhere to big time !

Thank you for the Perfect review 👌

I had a discussion with a former friend of mine about Whiplash He seems to be on the opposite where it's an encouragement story where, to achieve greatness, you're going to have to do everything it takes. The ends justifies the means, he says.

I first watched this as a 17 yr old and when it came out and thought the movie pretty overrated, thinking it was just a feelgood hard work story with some gimmicky bully porn sprinkled in, but it became one of my favorite movies yrs later once I understood the importance of balancing your life between pursuing personal passions and the upkeep of basic human needs like relationships and health. This movie didnt help me learn that stuff, but rewatching it was in an introspective experience in understanding how my own values have changed. This movie just hits entirely different when youve had experience trying to achieve something and understand every detail in the movie matters.

i thought it was a bit of both, re: dad at door, watching- mourning the death of his son's soul BUT his face also shows the moment when dad believes the drums are important and his son is kicking a**...definite awe.

I had an art teacher whose good graces I tried to get in for all my time in high school. I tried so hard, but I never ended up being one of the students he thought of as his chosen few. Because of this, the fun in art slowly drained from me and I finished my senior year with a 42 (an F in my school's grading system, don't worry I had completed all my necessary credits to graduate). Thinking about it years later, I realize he was probably just playing favorites with his students and never thought of me as one. I still do art today, but mostly for myself and not for anyone else. Seeing Andrew go through all of that just for Fletcher's approval just takes me back to that time. I wish I could have the opportunity to see my art teacher again and tell him i regret ever trying to get his approval and that i should've realized he would never have given it to me.

As a drummer, i understand that none of them are actual drummers, but man, that scene where the kid is tensing up while practicing is jarring to no end

I always felt that fechers didn't know what greatness looked like he just wanted someone good enough that would go to the furthers extremes.

The interesting issue that is brought up within this film, is the nature of the Student / Adept relationship. If anyone who has a literary bend wishes to explore the fundamentals of what WHIPLASH touches upon, I would suggest reading "Tibet's Great Yogī Milarepa" by W. Y. Evans-Wentz. Taking on The Adept function requires more than the ability to Demand from The Student, the limitations of this is wonderfully portrayed in WHIPLASH, where The Adept's intention to push and demand from The Student, while valid, it is in the application of that process where the limitations of this specific Adept, becomes apparent. There is an old adage, that being a good student is more efficacious, than having a good Teacher.

Amazing video analysis

Really like the analysis here, and how it doesn't feel judgemental of the movie

This is one of those movies that down the line many uears from now needs a sequel. So we can see the consequences of his actions here. And perhaps break the cycle himself. It would be a hell of a redemption story. Especially considering whiplash is the definition of a modern classic.

Rationally, I can appreciate this movie. It is in fact a great version of a cautionary tale. But emotionally I resent it. Mostly because my younger brother and dad see it as a great movie with a triumphant ending. They go on and on about how they think Fletcher is the greatest and do not at all see him as a villian. The fact that my brother also plays the drums and is also very telanted adds to that. When they talk about this movie every once in a while, it almost makes me affraid for my brothers futur. It makes me afraid that he will not see abusive relationships when they harm him. I makes me fearfull of my little brother growing up in this messed up world. So I'm not the best person to objectively judge this movie because everytime I try to watch it fills me with this feeling of distress.

My music teacher is a nice guy, but he's SUPER tough if you're messing up. At one point, we were singing a canon and one kid started singing a beat too early and he straight up yelled at him to get out and not rejoin the choir that season. Super nice when you're good, though.

I didn't think Andrew was "insecurely lashing out" and his family wasn't simply well-intentioned but naively unfamiliar with the world of jazz. I read that scene very differently. The family were being passive-aggressive, smug, and dismissive of his passion-in that particularly self-righteous way that the conventionally-minded often are of artists and intellectuals-and he rightly stood up for himself.

I have only seen this movie once years ago, but I have watched plenty of analysis on it. I kinda see both sides, but I do believe that every person who has been truly great at something achieved that greatness through pain and pushing themselves to their limits. In this case it was an exterior person who pushes the person to greatness instead of their personal will alone. There is this belief that people, men specifically, can have it all. We can't. Often times we have to choose between relationships or career/being great at something. It's almost impossible to be great at both simultaneously.

I feel like this video synopsizes more than it analyzes, and the analysis really never goes deeper than one analogy

Whiplash was an amazing film, though sometimes one can watch a film, recognise it's genius, yet never want to watch it again. For me, Whiplash is one of those movies, along with Trainspotting. Both excellent stories but both emotionally traumatic, which is not a place I would choose to visit more than once.

I think to me the most insidious part of the whoel movie of whiplash is watching the anger melt off fletchers face into wonder and satisfaction. It was at that point you can see in his mind that he has won, and he finally has a case study to prove his methods right. Espeically given his personality, the fact that only Andrew ever broke through to greatness isn't a negative, its proof that only a select few ever achieve greatness, and well, "Only Andrew made it cuz only Andrew was worth making it" He'll never doubt himself again, and he'll double, triple, and quadrupole down to push Andrew higher and higher and we can all know where it is. To me, that scene was akin to a horror movies scene where the last final desperate escape from the villain is thwarted, and the screen cuts to black with the audience fully aware that the game is up, and the bad guys won. This scene showed us that after everyones efforts to pull him back, Andrew has fully lost to Fletcher, and thrown himself into drumming, and we can all see how its going to end.

Such a Beautiful review!

I love whiplash so much this video is very well made

3:10 "It's a fear we can all relate to." I can't. A someone with a W last name, I was always last in the class, was wondering why my teacher wasn't needling the other students more, and then found myself baffled when my teacher needled me even less despite my presentation being (in my opinion) worse than the rest.)