Written by O’Boyd
J.K. Simmons, the fire-breathing teacher in “Whiplash,” will be a part of the newest King Kong remake, “Kong: Skull Island.”
Deadline is reporting Simmons will join Tom Hiddleston, who will be the lead actor, in the Universal Pictures film that’s set to be released on March 10, 2017. The film will center around Skull Island, where King Kong calls home.
Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) really pushes Andrew (Miles Teller) to the limit to be a better drummer in “Whiplash.”
Written by Roger Thomas
Whiplash is getting a lot of Oscar buzz as the year is winding down.
The film is an example of the small character-driven movies that seldom win the big prize of Best Picture but could pick up a few other awards and perhaps a Best Picture nomination. (Think “Dallas Buyers Club,” a character and performance driven film rather than a historical drama like “Seven Years a Slave” or a technical achievement like “Gravity.”)
The most likely award this film should garner is a nomination and possible win for Best Supporting Actor by J. K. Simmons. His brilliance in “Whiplash” almost makes up for his participation in the dreadful “Men, Women and Children” earlier this year. Simmons has also had roles in “Up in the Air,” “Juno” and all three of the original “Spider-Man” films.
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“Whiplash” tells a simple story of a young man named Andrew, played by Miles Teller in a brilliant performance that outshines his strong work in “The Spectacular Now” from last year. Andrew wants to be a professional drummer. In the opening scene, a professor at the music school observes the young percussionist. This particular professor directs the jazz band of which every student seems to yearn to be a part. Andrew eventually becomes the alternate drummer and then replaces the regular drummer.
The film is about an unhealthy relationship between a teacher and his student. Simmons’ character, Fletcher, is verbally and sometimes physically abusive to all his students, but he seems to especially relish torturing young Andrew. In some moments, the actions of Fletcher seems almost too harsh to believe, but by the end of the film his motivations are at least explained, if not justified.
The film is also about more than the story of this one student and teacher. It is a story of the desire to succeed, to accomplish something that matters. And it is about those who seek to discourage others. How many individuals could have succeeded if only there had been more encouragement? And how many driven coaches, teachers, bandleaders and others in authority have abused their position to belittle others? Abuse, not physical, but emotional is often much more difficult to measure.
J.K. Simmons
There is also a lesson here about bullying. The world is filled with people who want to bully, intimidate, and control others. These people are often guilty of a variety of sins. But the film also raises the question about those who witness bullying.
Why do so many stand idly by while witnessing cruelty? The students do not speak up for fear of losing their place in the group. Silence is perhaps the smoothest path, but the destination may turn out to be less fulfilling than one hoped.
Ultimately, I liked “Whiplash” a lot. I was a percussionist in high school and college and thankfully I never served under a band director with an attitude like Fletcher’s. But even though I could relate to the film in many ways, and I enjoyed the story and the performances a great deal, none of these are the main reasons I recommend this film.
The single best thing about this film is that I was never sure exactly where it was going. The trailer gives away some very powerful moments, but it does not reveal the greatest twists and turns in this story. From the opening moments until the end credits rolled, I was eagerly waiting to see what would happen next, and more than once I was surprised.
“Whiplash” deserves a Best Picture nomination because it is one of the best films I have seen in 2014. And J. K. Simmons should start writing his speech now.
STUDIO: Sony Pictures Classics
DIRECTOR: Damien Chazelle
MPAA RATING: R (for strong language including some sexual references)
SCREENWRITER: Damien Chazelle
STARRING: J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller
GENRE: Drama, Comedy
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