What WHIPLASH Is Really About

Whiplash is one of my favorite movies in recent years featuring one of my favorite “villains” of all time. It’s a dramatic movie which takes on some important themes, filtered through the style of a thriller which makes it impossible to look away from.
What does the movie say about the cost of greatness? Is it worth the price of admission? And what does the ending really mean for Andrew? Give the video a listen and then let me know your thoughts in the comments.
0:00 An Unexpected Thriller and the Arbiter of Greatness
6:45 The Desire for Greatness
10:46 The Cost of Greatness
17:58 The Benefits of Greatness
21:16 Is it Worth It?
30:38 Conclusion
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#whiplash

[@sujayshridhar2079]

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

[@jsong8282]

Yesh

[@SoulSonder26]

Well, you definitely could say that about those two, and imo you'd be correct. However, i still feel strongly that the role jks was born to pay is still J. Jonah Jameson. I have still, never seen someone make a crazy over the top comic book character seem so REAL! One of my all time favorite performances

[@marioben7]

@@SoulSonder26 why not both

[@DJansons23]

JKS litteraly used to study music and has a bachelor arts degree in music, while Miles Teller used to play drums as a kid. Yes. This really is a perfect casting, best thing is, the director only found out about it after showing them the script.

[@tylervelasquez5639]

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.

[@iannape3112]

I always thought his fathers face was in shock from how fast he was playing

[@drowzee2559]

not in the least, his fathers face is a reaction to how vastly incredible his child is. And how he never gave him the nourishment or encouragement that he properly needed. You can see it at the end when Andrew and his professor share a glace, that's a look of acceptance and praise. He finally achieved the height that he knew he could. @@iannape3112

[@AvatarBowler]

I’ve heard that the script itself literally lends credence to this. You can probably look it up somewhere and see the part about his dad looking through the door.

[@gamecokben]

Really? You missed that? Wow.

[@moxieloka]

His dad is the reason he is strong

[@yusefendure]

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

[@varundwivedi3197]

Agreed, it's about obsession, and people don't really like it, they think the obsessed one are crazy, but only the person going through it knows that it means everything to them, the balance means bullshit. Obsession is for the greats. " the next charlie parker will never be discouraged". WORLD AINT SOFT.

[@disappointmentpotato9408]

I agree with you, kind of. I do think that it is a happy ending because he stands up to Flethcer and soments himself as a great drummer without needing the help of Fletcher but yeah it's overall a bad ending

[@yusefendure]

@@disappointmentpotato9408 There is definitely no happy ending here. Andrew becomes more isolated, narcissistic, and driven by fame than one comfortable in his own skin. You could argue that the ending was Andrew's fantasy of what should have happened.

[@yongyea4147]

You are so wrong. Human/human relationships end in staleness. Human/music relationships end in ecstasy! Look at all of us great preformers! We can afford a divorce. We couldn't afford it if we didn't make millions!

[@yusefendure]

@@yongyea4147 There is no such thing as 'human/music relationships.' The relations of human beings in the productive process includes all of the arts. Musicians can inspire many, but they can divide just as many. In Whiplash, the relationship between the teacher and student was poisonous. Negative reinforcement breeds resistance, and that is not ecstasy

[@ggsgus]

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.

[@ggsgus]

The song is literally used as background music.

[@phregh9676]

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.

[@Ronin.97]

There were definitely big names there and he was trying to ruin Andrew's potential future career on that night in front of those big names.

[@urmanascrewed]

I thought that is why Andrew returned to the stage, because he wanted to perform for legit jazz enthusiasts without Fletcher's restraint.

[@urmanascrewed]

@@Ronin.97 What I didn't understand is that I thought Andrew didn't care anymore as he had given up on drumming. Maybe Fletcher didn't know that though and still wanted to tormet Andrew with that pressure.

[@CarlosRodriguez-bh2ey]

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.

[@OneTakeVids]

Agreed 💯 I think you can definitely go too far in either direction

[@darkthirty8134]

Well said

[@Alex06CoSonic]

This hits close to home. I concur.

[@hombreg1]

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.

[@Revealingstorm.]

Ambition and greatness are tools used by manipulative monsters to hurt people

[@AllWeNeededWas]

glad you're still here bro❤️

[@jakestan1185]

Glad you’re still alive I think about it sometimes but yeah

[@VivaVenezuelaa]

stay safe bro ppl love you

[@raider360X_sot]

Stop unsubbing chat

[@sionlee6515]

Awesome acting by Bezos and Zuckerberg

[@pianoraves]

What if Zucc is actually a great actor in another universe

[@TauraiEAW]

Never looked at it that way. Absolutely underrated comment!

[@EditorialJoe]

Pin this comment, OP

[@IsaacV2001]

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.

[@MrOSUrocker]

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

[@allyrhodes9302]

I had the same exact feeling but because of my dad. I still don’t think i can rewatch this movie because of how real it felt. Its crazy to me that some people watch this movie and feel the ending is triumphant.

[@lightlng]

@@allyrhodes9302 Some people are deranged and believe you have to mentally torture people in order for them to reach greatness. These people are fucking idiots but that goes without saying.

[@Ronin.97]

Sounds like the guy saw great potential in his players and was misunderstood by his peers like Fletcher.

[@jimtroeltsch5998]

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.

[@DagwoodDogwoggle]

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.

[@0Fyrebrand0]

The ending is "triumphant" for Fletcher. He gets to think "I've done it! I was right all along, this proves my approach is correct. I created the next Charlie Parker." But his smile isn't even fully in frame. It's a sinister kind of smile, devoid of joy or fulfillment. For Andrew, it's his downfall. He's given in to the dark side. He's sold his soul. He doesn't enjoy anything in life, not even music. The only person who truly appreciates what he's done to make it this far is Fletcher, who he loathes with a passion. People MAY talk about him at their dinner table decades after he's dead, who knows.

[@uGotGot1618]

I agree and disagree. They will of course be destroyed by the pursuit of those rare moments of perfection, no doubt. However, for me, that moment where their eyes light up, when they realize they are in it, in that exceedingly rare moment of complete perfection, it’s pure nirvana- and in that way it is triumphant.

[@yayayaokoksure]

I saw it as triumphant. There's no promise Andrew will die of an OD but Andrew made the choice to be great. He accepts whatever that brings because he wants to be a legend. Everyone around him thinks he's crazy for pursuing drums. Everyone but Fletcher. Who understands the cost of greatness.

[@hardy16able]

Well, the triumphant part for me was the fact that Andrew stood up to Fletcher in the end. He wasn't going to get abused by this person again, either Fletcher aligns himself with Andrew or Andrew does his own thing. Of course, I also understood the ending to be ambiguous regarding the future relationship between the two, but for me the movie felt cathartic in the department of overcoming abusive relationships.

[@yayayaokoksure]

@@hardy16able perfect ending IMO

[@thinkingoutloud9126]

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.

[@karelknightmare6712]

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.

[@DeadpoolX9]

The way i see it is like Fletcher is like a really harsh leveling farm. If you follow his method you WILL get results in your technical ability but breaking away from him is difficult but when you do you'll find your ability to meaningfully express yourself is beyond what you thought before. You just have to remember yourself in the music.

[@bilbo_gamers6417]

finally somebody actually understands the message of this movie!!

[@bilbo_gamers6417]

​@@DeadpoolX9 Fletcher has technical ability and will hold you to a high standard, that is true, but the issue is that he also does a bunch of stupid unnecessary crap that only furthers his own ego and discourages his students, under the guise of improving them.

[@elmalifico3708]

To be honest this reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone where this guy is obsessed with pool and one night gets to play a legendary pool player who descends from heaven. The pool player talks about being obsessed with pool and being great and how much sacrifice is required. The legendary player says “yes, that important, but it’s also important to live life, I had a girlfriend, I saw a movie, I went to the beach and on certain occasions I swam in it too”. In the end the pool player wins and he becomes a legendary player, but as where he ends up in heaven descending from time to time to play other players, he’s basically in hell.

[@favoritodiavolo]

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!

[@maxrice6990]

Same dude! Lol, and I'm a musician I've been meaning to watch this movie forever but just never did

[@Rawxnama98]

Man, you’re not the only one I’ve been watching 5 to 10 second clip of this, and they do like a meme and this year I just now find out about this literally after watching season two of invincible

[@MaryMartinez-xt5eb]

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.

[@christopherknowles]

Imagine not wanting to be good.

[@allthelittleworms]

​@@christopherknowlestotally missed the point of the comment

[@christopherknowles]

@@allthelittleworms a lot of the time people will give themselves any excuse they can come up with to not have to do the things required to be great.

[@burgerboss1016]

@@christopherknowles You're delusional and I hope you break free one day and become happy. You're loved.

[@christopherknowles]

@@burgerboss1016 glib platitudes are empty and won’t keep you warm.

[@younkinjames8571]

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.

[@derek96720]

Yup. Any true great would practice their craft relentlessly, for love of the craft, and wouldn't need verbal abuse to motivate them like this.

[@67psychout]

Exactly

[@captindo]

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

[@-MrFozzy-]

I understood that reference

[@nathanjs55]

Forgot which channel I was on for a second

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Well "Andrew" never had to starve, he was just another of the upper middle class had all the trimmings.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

You don't turn your back on family.

[@hunterjab06]

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

[@lemoncholly]

JK Rowling also said hogwarts kids shit on the floor. Sometimes you have to let the work exist outside the artist's opinions.

[@blah204]

Sounds like the director coping with the fact that he’s a failed drummer

[@ammonite0257]

@@blah204yeah alright. Maybe we didn’t watch the same movie but you can literally see Andrew following the same path as those who have taken their own lives.

[@ammonite0257]

@@lemonchollyyou’re comparing a retarded piece of lore by a hack author to someone who actually made a reasonable take on the aftermath of the film. If you can’t tell the difference then I don’t know what I can do for you

[@blah204]

@@ammonite0257 I understand that but the character literally expressed that desire at the dinner table. He is willing to sacrifice everything, including his life, to pursue greatness

[@benkyung4894]

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

[@JozialOfficial]

Which would make it even more tragic than if he just became the next greatest drummer because he would be putting in that work just to feel less motivated and possibly end up with nothing. No family, no fame, no money and being forgotten about. Everything could have been utterly pointless. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to know if that’s what he actually said but part of me likes the mystery. It’s a different ending depending on how you interpret it. Either fletcher finally found the diamond in the rough or was still on the road to revenge and committed himself to completing ruining Neymans life.

[@bailysawyer804]

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.

[@SchnitzelCFC]

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.

[@isaiahayers1550]

It's sad that anyone could interpret Fletcher as a critical part of anything. There's no place for a person like that in the world. Even for the rare person who is able to respond to that treatment in a way that makes them more skilled at their craft, it's nowhere near worth it. Not a person on the planet would make it through that kind of behavior and actually be satisfied with their level of success, even if it's the highest level possible.

[@TheReeelBradPitt]

@@isaiahayers1550 damian chazelle describes the end as a sour triumph, meant to create debate. It leans towards being a cautionary tale, because that's the director's stance on the topic, and it bleeds into the material, but he did leave it up for debate. Either it's tragic, or tragic but necessary for achieving greatness. But he never meant for it to be a taken as a clear cut happy ending

[@Ronin.97]

Fletcher accepting Andrew into his class is the catalyst the made Andrew want to become the greatest and break up with his girlfriend to focus full time on drumming. If Fletcher simply denied him how differently would things have turned out?@@isaiahayers1550

[@udopadrik9971]

​@@isaiahayers1550 I think SchnitzelCFC's comment is very valid. It depends on the way you see the world. While some amount of comfort, relaxation is probably an important part of the path to any goal, if one wants to achieve more ambitious goals, then they probably need to be willing to search discomfort, situations and relationships that to some would perhaps seem abusive, unbearable, inhuman. It was pretty clear in the movie that Andrew was the protagonist, pursuing greatness despite the discouragement of his family and peers. He wasn't some victim that was groomed or forced into this by his parents. It might have been a story of self-destruction, it was ambiguous about that, but it wasn't a story of a predator and his victim, although nowadays everybody wants to pretend they care about abuse victims and injustices on social media and can analyze everything to be about "power dynamics". When it comes to this movie it would be a much more boring movie had it simply been about "OMG there are abusive people in the world". Fletcher was the instrument on Andrew's journey. Weather it was a worthwhile journey is much more the question. The sad truth about life is extraordinary goals tend to take extraordinary sacrifices, although some people like to live with rose-tinted glasses in a fantasy world where you think you could achieve anything from the comfort of your living room. It is about the worldview of the individual. You seem fuming and resentful about Fletcher's character, while I would have much more violent reflexes to someone trying to comfort me into insignificance and depression, whispering "you are so great" to my ear and giving me ice cream whenever I actually feel like getting out of my bed. Now that's what I'd call toxic. Usually nothing is as clear cut as that, but as the OP said, it's about how you see the world.

[@courtneysreviews438]

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.

[@kamcashman]

💯

[@Jared_Wignall]

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!

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Well "Andrew" never had to starve, he was just another of the upper middle class had all the trimmings.

[@cringecentral_]

@@tomasinacovell4293what are you yapping about

[@Xairos84]

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'.

[@isaiahayers1550]

Which scene? Be where at 6am?

[@Xairos84]

@@isaiahayers1550 at the rehearsal hall, I think.

[@ivanthehighman177]

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.

[@barbosahMX]

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.

[@private755]

You had me until “artists are egomaniacs” which is ridiculous. The practice of creation is humbling as hell to any true artist/musician. I hate the idea that people need to force feed vitriol to others to make them change. It’s just false all around.

[@MCmikelmax]

Artists are egomaniacs. Look at their reactions to having their egos checked by AI of all fucking things.

[@OldWorldFlag1]

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.

[@aliensoup2420]

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.

[@gtassa01]

Mediocre thinking in action

[@Oliver0200]

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

[@someguy_matt]

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.

[@jordonjones3423]

Disagree , there is a reason special forces instructors break you down

[@georgegaryfallos5394]

​@@jordonjones3423 This is not the same as special forces training though...There are no lives at stake, neither a dangerous situations that requires nearly unbreakeable resolve.

[@Gamerjman19]

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.

[@RED-my9hl]

this is the dumbest analysis of the ending of this movie i have ever seen. Andrew doesnt win, fletcher does. Fletchers intention was always to make the next Charlie Parker, and he did at the expense of Andrew.

[@isaidoun]

I disagree, because in the end you see him look towards fletcher and smile, almost justifying the abuse he got throughout the movie. I think at the start he was rebelling, but once he started listening to fletcher again (when he slowed and sped up when fletcher told him to), he was sucked right back into the abusive world

[@Xairos84]

​@@RED-my9hlyup he threw his drums away but he couldn't find a new high in life. So he went back.

[@douglaspurcell7506]

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

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

What's a "classically trained drummer?" That doesn't make any sense, unless you're a classical percussionist.

[@douglaspurcell7506]

@@DrJ-hx7wv bro why did you come in here to argue semantics? 🤣 all I meant by "classically trained" was that I learned to read music and was taught in a classroom environment by people who were taught how to teach people. jeezus. you sound like a reddit mod

[@TheTonyMcD]

Whiplash really was such an incredible movie. Extremely underrated.

[@JoshLange3D]

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

[@nerd26373]

Amazing work as always. Keep up the good work.

[@Respect2theFallen]

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

[@SelvesteHenrik]

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!

[@lukeluke333lukeluke]

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.

[@zeppelin_fan123]

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

[@GraveEnd]

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

[@Dolshadow]

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.

[@TheAngryCanadian1109]

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

[@lynngraycom]

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.

[@braddotson3429]

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.

[@ardeshirafshari1670]

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

[@AbdulGabagool83]

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

[@michaelleese1641]

this is a great analysis, amazing work!

[@AImighty_Loaf]

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

[@user-yg4qg9rl4i]

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.

[@juris9546]

Shut up pls 😊

[@KeltonGiovanneMassinga]

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!

[@azevedo820]

thats a great connection. When Andrew is playing and the camera moves quickly between him and fletcher the first thing that came to mind was that scene from La La Land where Mia is dancing and Sebastian is playing the piano while the camera moves between them

[@TheReeelBradPitt]

they bothbend up sacrificing something to achieve their goals. the difference in lala land is that the outside characters are supportive instead of abusive. And seb doesn't continue an impossible grind, he swallows his pride, and works a job he doesn't like to earn money for the club even if he loses sight of that for a moment

[@BillyBob-ln4qk]

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

[@udopadrik9971]

I think yours is as true as the reading in this video. Yes, nowadays it is popular to consider "Whiplash" to be about what the creator of this video claims it to be about, about abuse, but I don't think it would've been as good a movie if that were the full picture. It is much more about the ambiguity, the sacrifices to get to do something at a high level, but yes, the potential for self-destruction is a part of it. Andrew still was the protagonist driven by his own ambitions, not some groomed victim, and success is relative. If the only guide to the meaning of the movie is Andrew's father's then it would be a pretty conformist movie, advocating the abandonment of your own dreams for others' sake. I don't think it was that.

[@AGuyInShades]

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.

[@blackvelvettcb]

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

[@pemo2676]

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

[@OneTakeVids]

😂

[@spellmasterak2855]

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!!

[@amqliav]

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.

[@juris9546]

Why you commenting

[@guscox9651]

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

[@surgegamer]

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.

[@bloodysweetzombiegirl]

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.

[@jdub5225s]

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

[@davidwhatsthatabout7404]

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

[@osenator]

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.

[@poindextertunes]

well prodigies do exist. My best friends older brother got a full ride to be a concert pianist at a big college. He could listen to something on the radio and immediately play it on piano and he had perfect pitch. I asked my best friend once “He must practice all the time to be so good” and he said “no not really, he could always play like that since he was a kid” some ppl are just born with it, albeit rare and is just an exception to what you were saying

[@osenator]

@@poindextertunes actually, he is exactly like someone I knew, that even went to work on THE SIMPSONS. Amazing at drawing Spiderman, superman, you name it.... BUT if you asked him to draw anything original, he couldn't, even to save his life. Some people like him and your friends are what I call Human photocopiers. They can mimic anyone's work amazingly, but sadly, zero ounces of originality. I myself been writing my own stories, characters and comics since I am 14 years old and been published in graphic novels and never went had drawing classes, went university or college to learn drawing. Did it all my own. Never traced, copied or ripped off a character or story. Originality is something A.I. will never have.

[@ceephiro]

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

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

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.

[@omensoffate]

Source: trust me bro

[@poindextertunes]

what a sweeping generalization

[@KewlImp]

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.

[@laurelhill3505]

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.

[@nuwanedirisinghe2683]

Thank you for the Perfect review 👌

[@L4t3xs]

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.

[@GuilhermePrebianca]

Such a Beautiful review!

[@OneTakeVids]

Thank you! 🙏

[@Jaspertine]

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.

[@TIOLIOfficial]

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.

[@katsmith8263]

👍👍👍great review "Good job" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@OneTakeVids]

Hahaha thanks!

[@yusefendure]

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

[@dingbat999]

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

[@Simpwastaken]

Amazing video analysis

[@ravencarino6115]

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.

[@MrBeast-1]

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.

[@InkAndPoet]

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.

[@efxanim8tor]

A word to the wise as a professional artist myself, who had little to no formal training growing up - you will never become who you are meant to be if you constantly seek the approval of others. You must be your own boss while constantly working on improving yourself. "Meeting" approval is one thing you do along the way. "Seeking" it, though, is a dead-end always.

[@InkAndPoet]

@@efxanim8tor thank you for those words, my friend.

[@Kheems]

amazing video bro

[@BattleAxeRX]

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

[@bengosse7217]

Wicked video man

[@blanchjoe1481]

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.

[@Darkanent]

Great analysis. One of the BEST films EVER made!

[@jo-lynnsomers8103]

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.

[@jonastheproducerjojoondabe5586]

Great analysis!!! I watch these at work as background and it makes the day go smoooooth. And I thank you for that. Can you do Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?

[@OneTakeVids]

Good chance I’ll get to it at some point! Very interested in tackling all of Tarantino’s work in this series

[@ivyart3737]

I love whiplash so much this video is very well made

[@Lizard1582]

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.

[@moviefeeder6811]

I think you should try analyzing Babylon. Much like Whiplash, it does follow a protagonist(s) and his/her needs to be the best and to be part of something bigger but takes it into a longer and more in-your-face perspective. I think you'll like it if you haven't watched it, but something tells me you have already when you called Eriksen from the studio band 'Wallach', who is the owner of the house in the first massive party sequence of Babylon.

[@therealjordiano]

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

[@saxassoon]

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.

[@hi-test7122]

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?

[@queuedjar4578]

Eh you're missing a key detail. Though the school Fletcher works for is fictional, it's implied throughout the story that the Shaffer Conservatory is "one of the greatest music schools in the country" basically like Julliard level. He's not just some random high school band teacher, but another point in the movie is proven that no one outside of Neiman and maybe a few other jazz heads would even be familiar with the guy in the first place, definitely not enough to even be a household name.

[@PeterScofield-fq3oj]

@@queuedjar4578 I suppose you're right, Fletcher's blessing can open doors for him. But his methods . . . Makes me wonder what his backstory is, how he was treated at the same age. What a great movie to make me think about it so much.

[@jacobchiang]

There are many ways to achieve the greatness, regardless the top level of music schools or any other level. Fletcher’s approach wasn’t healthy, if Bird wasn’t successful who give a damn about him?

[@hi-test7122]

Fletcher makes a lot of assumptions about his own taste and judgment. Particularly about a young artist just learning his craft. Who’s to say he wouldn’t have kicked out a young Louie Armstrong or Ella Fitzgerald?

[@dc21771]

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.

[@Jonjzi]

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.

[@Maou3]

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

[@binb5213]

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

[@oshirosauro]

around the minute 9:00 when you were talking about rocky and the sacrifices i thought about the eye of the tiger mentioned on rocky 4, in my opinion the eye of the tiger is the will to sacrifice everything for the glory

[@zeromech1450]

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.

[@jefft5789]

Insightful analysis with great quotes from the writer, thanks for sharing!

[@max-cs9ko]

Great analysis