Whiplash

While Whiplash was an enjoyable movie, the experience was rooted in the uncomfortable visibility of Andrew choosing his own path. His ambition is not rooted in a love for music but by his desire for a romanticized musician type tragedy. This is reinforced through Andrew’s relationships. He has clearly seen Nicole numerous times, as she knows his order, but does not ask her out until he gets the “permission” of his status in studio band. The romanticized setup is followed by deeper examination of Fletcher, the personification of Andrew’s mindset. Fletcher’s view of suffering equating success is shown vividly in Andrews actions. His abrupt breakup comes as some attempt to grant himself a musician’s tragedy before she has even posed a threat to his career. This is further emphasized in his lateness. A disciplined musician capable of getting into a top music school should basically be able to show up on time, but Andrews loves the thrill and repercussions of his actions showing he is further chasing the mythology of a musical legacy opposed to a mundane adventure of success. The flaw of this identity is something safeguarded throughout the film. Fletcher revealing his student’s death as a car accident opposed to a suicide attempts to hide how destructive this philosophy really is. Andrew responds with proof that he can withstand the suffering needed to become “great” through means of his own car accident. The chaotic nature of the film is finalized with an ending lacking a clear resolution. Instead of a triumphant final rejection of Fletcher, the two characters clash until Andrew earns recognition at the cost of immense torment leaving it up for interpretation whether Andrew received liberation from desire.