Whiplash Analysis (MAJOR SPOILERS)

An in-depth analysis of the Oscar nominated movie Whiplash.
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[@rizuisagamer2824]

I completely forgot about this movie but when my school told us to watch it the flashbacks came back and all I could think of how painful the drum player is going thru

[@torinjacobs4767]

He never broke free

[@user-rd6uc2sf6i]

@WORKAHOLIC X we really don't know, after his amazing final performance it just becomes hard to top that

[@waldomarek]

i liked the analysis, however, i gotta say that the final act where fletcher invited andrew to perform once more can also be seen as fletcher's attempt at revenge and ruining andrew's career.

[@TemptingNoise]

I think he's doing both... Either way fletcher wins

[@bananian]

waldomarek i think so, too. I think fletcher absolutely resented Andrew for ending his career. It makes it that much more satisfying for Andrew and the audience when Andrew can please even the one who is absolutely out to get you.

[@waldomarek]

yes.. the way andrew regained the initiative by picking his own songs before fletcher can surprise him again was just masterful.

[@logicpolice2451]

I think revenge was originally his intention. Then, though, Andrew's unexpected return changed everything. I think this took Fletcher right back to his roots. It reminded him about the philosophy he holds so deeply, that underpinned his entire teaching career. And here, his petty desire for revenge was surpassed by a somewhat reluctant yet simultaneously gratifying realization that they share the raw and uninhibited passion for great music. This exact moment in time is shown - 7:58.

[@AppleCiderVinegar77]

I agree, you can see that in the way he looks shocked when Andrew returns on-stage. Although, they do reach a consensus at the end with that mutual stare at one-another.

[@chattingbout]

Why did you stop , this channel has so much potential

[@doodars9357]

In the final scene when Andrew looks up at fletcher, I’m fairly certain fletcher says “good job” which he earlier said is “the two most offensive words in the English language”. To me, this shows how he still has control over Andrew and will do until his death (which I think the director said was at 35 from a drug overdose, similar to Charlie Parker)

[@joejellyfish]

I'm very conflicted on the very last scenes. Watching the movie I thought that Fletcher did it for revenge only. In real life I have this teacher (the resemblance is subtle, not as abusive as Fletcher is) that at times puts us on the edge for homeworks. This week we presented a discourse in which we had to defend a philosopher and their beliefs, just 3 winners from a group of 16 people. 3 people that will participate in the next oratory competition and will pass the subject. The other ones will fail the term. When I watched this movie I felt a connection with Andrew, I may not be as devoted as him to be the greatest, but seeking approval of his mentor was what truly resonated with me. Before presenting the discourse, a classmate who also was participating told me ''I believe he did this because he wants to know what were made of'' and I kept thinking about it. It saddens me to think that some of us just need that boost to keep going, engage in our own crafts motivated by someone who makes us feel good about ourselves. The strive for greatness can be very hurtful at times, this teacher sometimes says ''What are you willing to sacrifice to do better? Are you doing enough to be where you want to be?''. Just some thoughts.

[@biorgoanylchem]

Exactly my thoughts. One of the things I like about this movie is that it only appeals to a very few, those who are willing to go above and beyond to accomplish what they have in mind. A few bruises here and there is alright, it builds character. But this is only for those who understand what dedication means, so definitely not for everybody. I can understand why a lot of people fail to look at the deeper meaning of the film but rather concentrating on the methods of how Fletcher taught, which many call abuse. I agree his methods were overboard at times, but Andrew took it because he was willing to go through anything to ahieve his dream. It’s not because of Stockholm syndrome or anything. In reality if I complained like many viewers are doing of how abusive Fletcher is to my mentor being too hard, he’ll stop mentoring me because he could care less. Furthermore why should he put his himself out there to teach me, I mean he’s doing service to me and I have a deep sense of appreciation for that. I mean if this was abuse then I wonder how many will reapond to a movie on realistic navy seal training would be. It’ll be much worse than what this movie depicts. In the end it’s a choice to dedicate ourselves, and in the right mentorship, we gotta be willing to take the hits and not point fingers, that’s how dreams are achieved.

[@boat02]

Yeah, I felt that the whole intent since as early as seeing Andrew at the bar was revenge. It was only when Andrew went back on stage at his own direction when Fletcher had a change of heart, because in front of him, stood (or sat) his very own Charlie Parker.

[@osmanyousif7849]

My thoughts are that Fletcher doesn't know who it was that testified and got him fired. Because why would the lawyer lie about Andrew's testimonial being anonymous? And I doubt that Fletcher would have the power to find out. For all we know, it could have been Ryan, Metz, or Carl. But Fletcher does have one power: manipulation. If he can strike fear into Andrew, so he can be shown just thrown his face that he has a "How did he find out?" look, Fletcher can have done what he did and tried and humiliate Andrew like how he did. In fact, I GUARENTEE if it was Carl, Metz, or Ryan that Fletcher met at the bar and did the same thing to Andrew, he would tried and come to a clue of who it was that testified.

[@Tgogators]

Put simply: Andrew becomes Fletcher. That is his character arc. If he lived long enough he would start teaching and be just like him, perhaps even rougher. That's the thing with abusive systems like that under the guise of "Earn of your stripes" or hazing: You get smacked twice, in your mind you got smacked 3 times, thus your subordinate will get smacked 4 times, and it builds.

[@alexischavez6137]

Fletcher doesn’t give a shit about anything but jazz. His toxic personality is what he deems necessary for greatness. The next best musician, in his eyes, needs to be the best through embarrassment, pain, struggle ect. He sees this in andrew and tries to re-enact the charlie parkers embarrassment in andrew.

[@osmanyousif7849]

He is basically a male version of Joan Crawford, except with any kids.

[@Theyungcity23]

I would say that Fletcher was just trying to humiliate Andrew for taking his job away from him, his one true accomplishment (it's interesting that Fletcher talks about how being a great is so crucial and yet he isn't one. Fletcher has friends and can socialize very well. And yet Andrew believes that that isn't something a winner can have.) I never felt like the father was a failure. Their home is a mansion. He teaches. Fletcher teaches. Also the father is willing to wield the stick when necessary. When Andrew goes off on his family for no justified reason his father shuts him up.

[@enzoiguess340]

I wouldnt say he went off on them for no reason. They were brushing him off and blatantly ignoring what he said at the table. He overreacted sure. But it wasn't unjustified.

[@user-rd6uc2sf6i]

his father is a tool, a man who's trying to fill the role of his gone wife and deep down Andrew seems to pity him more than respect him

[@osmanyousif7849]

My thoughts are that Fletcher doesn't know who it was that testified and got him fired. Because why would the lawyer lie about Andrew's testimonial being anonymous? And I doubt that Fletcher would have the power to find out. For all we know, it could have been Ryan, Metz, or Carl. But Fletcher does have one power: manipulation. If he can strike fear into Andrew, so he can be shown just thrown his face that he has a "How did he find out?" look, Fletcher can have done what he did and tried and humiliate Andrew like how he did. In fact, I GUARENTEE if it was Carl, Metz, or Ryan that Fletcher met at the bar and did the same thing to Andrew, he would tried and come to a clue of who it was that testified.

[@Foxtrot6624]

it wasnt just to humiliate him, it was to completely destroy him. Fletcher makes it very clear that the people watching hold massive power and influence in the jazz world and will never forget what they see. They will always remember Andrew as the drummer who completely ruined an entire track. That was Fletchers plan.

[@nickwood1062]

Fletcher really wanted Andrew to succeed the entire time. He referenced the kid that died who he wasn't that great but saw a drive in him. Fletcher also mentioned he invited "Connor" to play in the studio band also, but to only encourage Andrew further. Not long after Andrew tackled Fletcher, an annonomus person came forward with claims of abusive techniques, obviously Fletcher knew it was Andrew. The revenge embarrassment concert situation even further motivated Andrew. Referencing to the bar scene when Fletcher said something like nothing could discourage Charlie Parker. In the end Fletcher succeeded in pushing a student so far to become great. Proving his teaching technique was worth it, hence the two locking eyes at the end both grinning.

[@henrikhansen1023]

Congrats! I have seen a lot of analyzing videos about this film. But yours is the first one which really nailed it in every aspect ! I stand in awe.

[@Hugogalipeault]

Great video! I can't wait to see more stuff from this channel!

[@benreading6630]

This video really helped me understand that meaning of this movie, and has helped me a lot with my essay.

[@andrewcruz7595]

Holy shit I didn't know Andrew was that socially awkward , after watching this analysis I fucking get it now. Being an artist and becoming a person to strive with greatness sacrifices alot .

[@rodolfo1030]

awesome analysis! thank you very much, now I understand exactly what I wanted to

[@youthnation1]

That was fantastic! Wow! Opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing this movie. It's a tale of two fathers - two parenting methods. One aggressive, demanding and abusive and the other calm, understanding and coddling. The fathers reaction to the bowl of popcorn hitting him in the at around the 3:00 ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYqplaGZe71_rc0m ) totally sets up the contrast between the teacher and him. I'd say the film is also exploring the issue of parenting styles. Are we in the west too coddling of our children? Should we demand more? Perhaps the answers lies somewhere in between.

[@logicpolice2451]

Agreed - also raises a few questions. Maybe there's a role for both? Maybe different styles work for different people? Can one parent play both roles? Or would transitioning between these styles in different situations undermine the effectiveness of either?

[@justahuman-being5983]

keep up the good work, wish your channel grows stronger!

[@edwardhitten2678]

Very nice analysis, maybe one of the best on this movie.

[@ossiebowman3731]

Whilst I understand Andrew's struggle, I think the reason that he and Fletcher fell out in the first place is simply because Fletcher didn't treat Andrew like the legend he thought he was. You have to break down to build up again, and that was the dynamic they had.

[@unrealnews]

Ok. Greatness was produced. But what kind? The kind that is measured against objective standards. That’s the opposite of what art is about. There are athletic elements to art, to be sure, but to focus on hitting the drums precisely under the control of another is only part of the picture. What about the part of art that creeps in from the edges and demands that we stay open to it, turning towards it only when it has fully crystallized? If you train like this, you will turn towards the idea as soon as a hint of it appears, and you will beat the idea down until it takes on the appearance of what has been previously lauded as greatness. Art demands sensitivity. This kind of training diminishes sensitivity, diminishing the importance of inner thoughts and feelings for the sake of what is immediately translatable into externalized expression. The very source of creativity is crushed by the need for external validation and external motivation.

[@THESLlCK]

This comment reeks of failure

[@hmhm3370]

That FL studio clap at the beginning PS: Great Video

[@Wikca88]

Good job! Thanks for the video.

[@MagicMahn]

I had a harsh band teacher in high-school that was abusive but had a filter. He made a lot of people in the band exceed beyond what normal high school bands usually accomplish. He would single me out and humuliate me if I made a simple mistake, but I was actually really good as a freshman. I at the time was going through my own problems and didn't have a drive to pursue music so it didn't really matter to me. Watching this made me kinda flash back to those days and it makes me desire to pursue music under him. Kinda twisted, I guess that's what abuse does? Just found it interesting and I thought I should share.

[@berka8587]

I thank you for sharing this, is this common u think for music classes in general? When I first saw it, I also got this feeling of wanting to pursue something, no matter the consequences. I used to play competetively online in gaming and I got some problems along side it ofcourse. My friend told me that I was just a sweaty loser who would never do any of these ordinary things that are healthy for u as a human being, such as hanging out or stuff like that. And while he was an asshole, I get his point and im past that. Though when ur in that state, u only aim for greatness, and theres something I love about that state of mind even though I know its bad. This movie had a sense... of total genius madness I guess u could call it. It was almost inhuman, which brought the most romantic idea of "greatness mindset" I think I will ever witness to see. The only person I really know of that had this inhuman genius greatness, was bobby fischer who got crazy because of chess

[@samlulloff1602]

Great vid! Subscribed

[@mandymooncakes]

he doesn’t break free, and he’s never equal. although andrew achieved what he’s always wanted and in doing so achieved what fletcher wanted, he only did it to prove to fletcher he was great. he didn’t really win at all. he fell into a the trap of greatness and became a shell of a person. he will always be in fletchers hold, living a sad and broken life, alone.

[@divydubey17]

Outstanding.

[@sirfog8604]

Does anyone know what Fletcher says before that last chord is played? Does he ironically say 'good job'?

[@danielmezzalingua1163]

Fantastic commentary.

[@weirdo3116]

feel like this is but one path to "greatness". not THE path.

[@Samdoesstuff978]

Ah, my favorite movie of all time.

[@lindanorris2455]

SO VICIOUS!

[@ElenaMartinez-bz2uw]

Remember the folder Andrew lost before the concert well I think they were the same sheets on the final concert, so this means Fletcher stole them on purpose

[@CHABIEPORTNOY]

Anyone here felt that whiplash has the same vibe as Joaquin Phoenix’ joker?

[@spencerbarnes4878]

As a jazz drummer, I relate to this movie so much

[@philipminns3933]

I was hoping this might contain some review or analysis of the film, but it's just a list of what happens, plus a one-dimensional opinion of Fletcher's motivation. Not sure there was much point in this

[@codekhalil6437]

Sorry. The youtuber should quit making videos forever. Sorry they let you down. Sorry that it wasn't quite your tempo

[@hawkeyenextgen7117]

Back when I was in 10th grade, I was in the wrestling class. I was only approximately 120 Ibs at the time and underweight. One day early in the season, my collarbone and ribcage became misaligned. My arms horizontal movement became restricted due to the pain. I asked everyone; my coach, my teachers, my parents to help me see a Chiropractor. No one took me seriously. Because of this injury which I was forced to wrestle with or fail the class, I never won a single match. I felt absolutely devastated. I refuse to see this movie because I am afraid of reliving my own tr@uma. It’s because of this tr@uma I fail to understand how so many people including Chris Stuckmann can praise a work like this, and because I fail to understand I feel weak, incompetent, and outcast. Sometimes I feel like all the critics are begging me to see it else I’m missing out on something great; the performance of a lifetime. Is it okay to feel deathly afraid of a film such as this?

[@zoeeb]

why do u copy and paste this exact comment on every whiplash video... this is the 4th one i’ve seen

[@berka8587]

ur a human being, nothing that u feel is somehow just "not okay". There is a reason u feel this way, your brain and behaviour has accorded to past experiences so ofcourse its okay. I just dont see why u would feel weak from not understanding why people think this movie is good. Watch it if u want, but it is not some "must watch" if you feel like you shouldnt. It is a quite anxious movie to watch

[@frankkolton1780]

I just couldn't buy into this film because the character of Fletcher was just too over the top, to the point of being ridiculous. That type of overt, hyper aggressive behavior from a teacher wouldn't be tolerated very long at any school for very long.

[@bro26mohw]

Let’s be honest here, it probably would be excepted if it gives results. It only becomes a problem when someone reports it

[@sirbaguette8378]

He hasn't been kicked out because no one reports him as the person above me said. If someone was to report him, it would lead to embarrassment from peers for "not being good enough" or anger his fellow bandmates who perhaps were doing well in his band, as well as knowing that Fletcher will come for them if they're ever caught. There's also the idea that the students accept or even share is ideology that what he's doing is all necessary to be the best. This is evident since any of them could just easily quit, yet they endure his abuse for the sake of music.

[@brainlet99]

Are you sure this kind of abuse wouldn't be tolorated by a teacher? Think carefully and i know its a really unsettling topic but do teachers actually get punished?

[@shaf2317]

the fact that none of the students have enough self respect to stand up to him, i would've reported him from the first day in his class

[@almightyog2373]

Andrew's only validation for jazz now is through fletcher. Fletcher carries a Machivellian outlook. Fletcher doesnt feel bad about his methods because in his mind the end will fit the means of his style of teaching. He warped andrews mind to his methods.

[@dealpha3698]

I thought a person like Fletcher can never be real... Douglas Nierras, Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White "GET OUT!!!!"

[@SM-os6wq]

I’ll be honest I don’t know who Charlie Parker is... but I enjoyed the movie nonetheless

[@HELLFIRExxIFRIT]

I think you're sending a somewhat dangerous message. To answer your question; no the ends don't justify the means. No one deserves abuse to the point of killing themselves to try and aspire to greatness. Greatness can be attained without that. Despite the editing of the film and the acting, I don't think this movie is really good, and I think it's simply a dark mirror of something. The director brings up his high school jazz teacher and said let's make a movie, but even I think it wasn't. this bad.

[@erickfoster6418]

audiobook

[@williampaoli9057]

No slapping me though buddy

[@mjs3764]

As much as I love Buddy Rich's playing, he did seem like an elitist asshole. He was always telling people that rock drummers were substandard. I would have loved to see him try to play like Neil Peart.

[@nickwood1062]

I agree. Seams like you're a drummer and I have to vent my distaste for some of the drumming scenes. Like, are they serious with these full body convulsions and the incredibly stiff technique? Some of the worst as a "drumming actor" seams like any drummer worth his salt would instruct "Andrew" to relax, use his wrist, not his whole arm and upper body. Lol I was cracking up. The blood was a bit much too but I draw the line with sweaty cymbals. Haha 😅

[@JackThompsonDrums]

Buddy is better than Neil Peart man. It’s two different genres. I’d love to see Neil peart play like buddy rich. See it doesn’t work like that 2 drummers that mastered their genres

[@lindanorris2455]

SACRFICE? SACRIFICE? WHAT?

[@davidmartin6959]

not look for the least thing musically realistic in this film, there is none. its juste a psychologic thriller

[@zacfrancis6365]

Are you trying to communicate? The sad part is, you already edited it, and this is what you chose as acceptable. Baffling

[@shsnehansen661]

"There are no two words in the english language worse than Good Job". Yes there are. "Good enough"... Makes my skin crawl every time.

[@g2timmywonka]

Really wanted to see this now that I see the break down, it's just a shitty movie

[@_carbon.acid_]

I think Fletcher was a great teacher who pushed his limits of his students. In the end as we can see that Andrew achieved greatness

[@effeayegee]

Good analysis but your monotone voice put me to sleep

[@milk7698]

Basically what the army does with basic training lmao

[@zacharymessinger3027]

You totally misinterpreted the ending lol

[@berka8587]

how do you interpret it?

[@Rachel-dt7yt]

This film is case study of narcissism. It explains every single interaction. The ending is not positive. Andrew never breaks free of his control, at the end he achieves love in the eyes of the narcissist, except love in the eyes of a narcissist is hollow. It is nothing but narcissistic supply. Please stop spreading false information about this film.

[@RM-eu8gi]

Narcissism? That’s a super oversimplified explanation. And I Disagree, Andrew takes control of not only the band but his life at the end. I could write more but why bother... achieving greatness is not something most ppl will understand or even care to understand. So instead ppl are content consuming media and listening to tales of greatness. So just for a moment we are great ourselves (or can obtain distraction from a life of being average or even mediocre).

[@AtaurRahman-bs1lm]

@@RM-eu8gi @RM 😂🤣🤣🤣 The problem is guys like you who think this is the ONLY path to greatness. ALBERT EINSTEINE or SATYAJIT RAY didn't need HYPOCRETYCAL NARCISSISTS LIKE FLETCHER OR TOXIC ENVIRONMENTS LIKE THE ONES FLETCHER CREATES. They had friends, lovers, loving families, lived fulfilling lives, AND YET WERE TWO OF THE GREATEST EVER IN THEIR FIELDS, ACCUMULATING MORE ACHIEVEMENT, INFLUENCE, SUCCESS AND FAME THAN A HUNDRED CHARLIE PARKERS COMBINED. AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES LIKE THESE TWO, THE LIST IS PRACTICALLY ENDLESS. FLETCHER just uses BASIC brainwashing techniques, almost the exact same stuff CHARLES MANSION pulled. But weak simps like you don't see that. Also, I'm just venting frustration, I don't expect people like you to understand. YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN TO A SHEEP WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A TIGER, 🤣🤣 NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY, THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE CONCEPT OF IT. JUST A HINT, THE MOVIE CLEARLY SHOWS THAT FLETCHER HIMSELF HAS FRIENDS AND SOCIALIZES VERY WELL, COMPLETELY UNLIKE ANDREW. STEVE JOBS (WHO HAD UNDIAGNOSED NARCISSISTIC PERSNALITY DISORDER. HIS SYMPTOMS WERE BREATHTAKINGLY OBVIOUS. MANY PROFESSIONALS SAID THEY SAW IT. EVEN WALTER ISAACSON MENTIONS THIS IN STEVE JOBS'S OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY) MADE A BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY OUT OF SELECTING, MANIPULATING AND ABUSING PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO THEIR BRINKS. SOME OF HIS CREW MEMBERS WENT CRAZY TOO. ONE LIVED RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO JOBS AND CAME TO THROW ROCKS AT HIM EVERYDAY.🤣🤣🤣 BUT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS STUFF BECAUSE STEVE JOBS totally WAS'T A NARCISSISTIC HYPOCRETE, RIGHT? HE WAS ONLY PURE GREATNESS.🤣🤣🤣 This movie is a PSYCHLOGICAL THRILLER, and FLETCHER is the BAD GUY.

[@Justinlindsay1991]

Is it really false information or just a dfferent interpretation? Art is subjective

[@alicemargiela]

Missed the point. L perspective

[@Ru4444]

This movie suuuuck!!!!

[@shomikoto7558]

The fuck???? Maybe it went over your head 😂😂😂.

[@lcgxn]

Ok buddy

[@stockschill9451]

Maybe it’s just not your style

[@bro26mohw]

Probably not your tempo

[@Ru4444]

The movie is not realistic.... no one in the 20th century wants to be a jazz drummer......... stuuuppiddd!