Whiplash

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman, an ambitious young jazz drummer at Shaffer Conservatory
• J. K. Simmons as Terence Fletcher, a ruthless jazz instructor at Shaffer
• Paul Reiser as Jim Neiman, Andrew’s father, a writer turned high school teacher
• Melissa Benoist as Nicole, a movie theater employee who briefly dates Andrew
• Austin Stowell as Ryan Connolly, another drummer in Fletcher’s band
• Nate Lang as Carl Tanner, another drummer in Fletcher’s band
• Chris Mulkey as Uncle Frank Neiman, Andrew’s uncle
• Damon Gupton as Mr. Kramer, Andrew’s first instructor before being recruited by Fletcher

Storyline:

Nineteen-year-old Andrew Niemann wants to be the greatest jazz drummer in the world, in a league with Buddy Rich. This goal is despite not coming from a pedigree of greatest, musical or otherwise, with Jim, his high-school-teacher father, being a failed writer. Andrew is starting his first year at Shaffer Conservatory of Music, the best music school in the United States. At Shaffer, being the best means being accepted to study under Terence Fletcher and being asked to play in his studio band, which represents the school at jazz competitions. Based on their less than positive first meeting, Andrew is surprised that Fletcher asks him to join the band, albeit in the alternate drummer position which he is more than happy to do initially. Andrew quickly learns that Fletcher operates on fear and intimidation, never settling for what he considers less than the best each and every time. Being the best in Fletcher’s mind does not only entail playing well, but knowing that you’re playing well and if not what you’re doing wrong. His modus operandi creates an atmosphere of fear and of every man or woman for him/herself within the band. Regardless, Andrew works hard to be the best. He has to figure out his life priorities and what he is willing to sacrifice to be the best. The other question becomes how much emotional abuse he will endure by Fletcher to reach that greatness, which he may believe he can only achieve with the avenues opened up by Fletcher.

About Movie:

Whiplash is an American psychological drama written and directed by Damien Chazelle, starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, and Melissa Benoist.

Produced by Bold Films, Blumhouse Productions, and Right of Way Films, Whiplash was distributed by Sony Pictures Classics in North America, Germany, and Australia, and Stage 6 Films internationally. Chazelle drew inspiration from his experiences in a competitive high school jazz band. Initially, he turned 15 pages of the script into an 18-minute short film, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where its success attracted funding for a feature-length version.

Principal photography began in September 2013, taking place across various Los Angeles locations. The film was shot in just 19 days, with 14-hour days on set. Despite being involved in a serious car accident during filming, Chazelle returned to complete the shoot on time.

Whiplash premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival as the opening film, winning both the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for drama. Released in the U.S. and Canada on October 10, 2014, the film expanded to over 500 screens and grossed $49 million worldwide on a $3.3 million budget. It received critical acclaim for its screenplay, direction, performances, editing, and sound mixing.

At the Academy Awards, it won Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing, with Simmons receiving numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Whiplash is now regarded as one of the best films of the 2010s and the 21st century.

Budget & Box Office Collection: