Whiplash (2014)

[therapist]

I just finished this film. This is the third time i've watched it, and I the most i've ever enjoyed it. Not because I picked up on anything new or understood it better—it's a pretty simple film—but because of how satisfying it was and its ability to completely take me along for the ride. I'm not a jazz music fan so I was pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I don't think I breathed during the final scene. I've always been attracted to stories about skillful characters developing their capability. And this movie does it so well, the motivations of the absurdly strict teacher were well explained, and the pay off at the end was sublime.

It made me think that I want to write a similar story that has the same effect on me. Is that attainable? Or is that final scene in Whiplash something that film can do better and easier than writing? (It's pretty easy to appreciate someone's skill when you are actually listening to a skilled professional drummer).

I think it is possible to do in writing though, afterall, the highlights in that scene for me were Neeman's defiance, the dad looking on in awe at his son, and finally, Neeman's mutual grin with the teacher at the end of his solo.

If anyone knows of any books that focuses on a similar character progression to Neeman's, let me know.

 

[Timebender]

I just finished this film. This is the third time i've watched it, and I the most i've ever enjoyed it. Not because I picked up on anything new or understood it better—it's a pretty simple film—but because of how satisfying it was and its ability to completely take me along for the ride. I'm not a jazz music fan so I was pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I don't think I breathed during the final scene. I've always been attracted to stories about skillful characters developing their capability. And this movie does it so well, the motivations of the absurdly strict teacher were well explained, and the pay off at the end was sublime.

It made me think that I want to write a similar story that has the same effect on me. Is that attainable? Or is that final scene in Whiplash something that film can do better and easier than writing? (It's pretty easy to appreciate someone's skill when you are actually listening to a skilled professional drummer).

I think it is possible to do in writing though, afterall, the highlights in that scene for me were Neeman's defiance, the dad looking on in awe at his son, and finally, Neeman's mutual grin with the teacher at the end of his solo.

If anyone knows of any books that focuses on a similar character progression to Neeman's, let me know.

Good movie, J K Simmon's performance was probably the best part of it. He blended the scary and violent with the relatable and real in a way you could never expect.

 

[AlexH]

Whiplash is great - it's in my top 20 films of the 2010s.

Do you write shorts? You could try emulating the film in a short story of your own, then if that works, try expanding it. I think two of the best stories I've written were where I attempted to emulate aspects of a favourite story by someone else.

 

[therapist]

Yea I love keeping a list of story elements that I really enjoy. I think its a great indicator of the type of stories I want to write.

 

[Droflet]

Fabulous movie. I agree with Timebender, JK Rowling, after years of obscurity knocked this roll out of the park. Brilliant performance. Just goes to show what someone can do when given a chance.

 

[therapist]

Yea it felt like perfect casting, which i'm beginning to realize is an artform all itself.

 

[Droflet]

BIG edit. JK Simmons NOT Rowling. Sheeesh. Yes, I'm an idiot.