WHIPLASH: OBSESSION AND AMBITION [REVIEW] [ESP/ENG]

    Comienza la escena y vemos a Andrew tocando con bastante entusiasmo mientras el plano se acerca hasta estar a pocos metros, notamos que el plano era el Profesor Terence quien se acercó curiosamente al chico, aunque esta curiosidad se convertiría en una charla incómoda que terminaría mostrando la arrogancia del profesor y deparando un extraño interés luego de presionar e insultar un poco al protagonista.

    Tras lo sucedido Andrew va al cine con su padre no sin antes pasar por el mostrador de dulce del cine intentando tomar valor para invitar a salir a una chica, cosa que no logra y podemos notar en su cara mientras ve la película con su padre, se nota en su rostro que se siente presionado y desconectado por la situación anterior con el profesor y ahora por el no tener las agallas de decirle algo a la chica del cine.

    No se lleva mucho de la filme y ya la tensión que transmite va subiendo, y así poco a poco en lo que va progresando los acontecimientos.

    Andrew práctica mucho en su tiempo libre y escucha CD´s dónde solo le presta atención a la batería, toca hasta sudar y casi sangrar, está decidido que quiere ser el mejor. Es el sustituto en la banda de su clase, sin embargo, se nota aspira a grandes cosas y es cuando un día luego de deambular por la puerta del lugar dónde toca la banda a la que pertenece Andrew entra Terence poniendo a prueba a todos y cada uno, haciendo burla o notando disgusto por todos, cuando llega a Neiman casi no lo deja tocar y pide que toque el baterista principal, pide que se detenga y se aleja de todos llamando a Andrew, lo cita para que vaya a su banda a ver que tiene, Terence se marcha y la cara de felicidad de nuestro protagonista aparece junto a una sonrisa de satisfacción al ser tomado en cuenta.

    Tras todo el suceso con el Profesor Terence, Andrew adquiere más confianza de sí mismo y agarra más solidez como personaje, tanto así que al salir de la práctica va directo al Cine donde invita a salir a la chica que le gusta de manera decidida aceptando salir a por una pizza.

    Su primero día como alumno e integrante de la banda de Terence y va tarde ya que no despertó a la hora que le dijo el Profesor, sin embargo, llega al aula a lo más rápido que puede aún si se cae por las escaleras ¿LLEGÓ TEMPRANO? ¿POR QUÉ NO HAY NADIE?, el espectador puede tomarlo como un tipo de prueba que le puso Terence. Andrew sale con más calma del salón y nota una pizarra que dice que la banda toca a las 09:00am, en efecto, de ahora en adelante es que las cosas empezarán a ponerse más tensas.

    Desde el momento en que Terence llega al aula se respira un ambiente sombrío y muy muy pesado, no da los buenos días comenzando tras quitarse el abrigo y el sombrero, coloca su mano en posición diciendo desde donde saldrán no sin antes mencionar la presencia de Andrew como nuevo miembro, el sustituto/asistente del batería principal.

    Tras un rato de tocada detiene la practica cuestionando a alguien que desentona, todos se quedan callados y nadie dice nada. Terence de tanto insistir selecciona a Mets (no sé si lo escribí bien) a quien tan solo mencionarlo este se pone nervioso y mirando al piso, Terence pregunta ¿estás desafinado?... No responde y se lo vuelve a preguntar hasta que por fin asiente y lo mira con miedo, el Profesor lo denigra y lo expulsa a los gritos mientras este solo puede llorar y quedarse en Shock, lo corre para luego decir que él no era el desafinado, sin embargo, alguien que no le sabe si lo está o no da a entender es un inútil, el desafinado era Erickson otro integrante de la banda.
    Andrew no puede creer lo que acaba de pasar Terence es estricto pero siente que más allá de ello alguien bastante impulsivo y exigente, se encuentra nervioso y asustado ya que luego de un descanso el tocará la batería al volver.

(Dato curioso: Como espectador sentí que la luz empleada en ese tipo de situaciones con el Profesor Terence y las personas alrededor expresan algún sentimiento de miedo o ambiente bastante tenso y desafiante.)

(Dato curioso 2: La composición que están practicando se llama WHIPLASH)

    Terence luego del problema del instrumento desafinado se acerca a Andrew en el descanso preguntándole por su vida y su familia, este le cuenta todo, el problema del fracaso de su padre y que su madre lo abandono, grave error ya que aunque fue amable mientras charlaban lo que deparaba a continuación sería el principio de abuso y manipulación de la cuál no se dará cuenta.

Al comenzar a practicar Andrew al llegar a cierta parte de la partitura este no la toca en el tiempo esperado o quizás el que a Terence quiere. Su actitud al corregirlo comienza de forma pasiva, sin embargo, sigue con Terence lanzándole una silla, gritándole de muy cerca, cacheteándole, llamándolo retrasado y sobre todo usando toda la información que este le había contado anteriormente, haciéndolo enojar y llamándolo afeminado por llorar encima de su bateria.

    Sin duda alguna la impotencia que siente Andrew es percibida por el espectador, todo el odio escupido por Terence no es más que el inicio de algo que no puede acabar bien, en tan solo un momento había acabado con Andrew dejándolo completamente fuera de si.

    Sin duda alguna la actitud de Andrew cambió desde toda la humillación que recibió por parte de Terence, luego de llegar a su casa se encontraba aún fuera de sigo, observando todo lo que lo hacía continuar con su sueño de ser un gran baterista. Acomoda su habitación para poder tocar y seguir practicando, dejando solo la batería y cosas esenciales.

    En un acto de impulso e impotencia este toma sus baquetas y empieza a trabajar arduamente en mejorar sin importar si sus manos se vuelven polvo, una ampolla por tanta fricción le sale la cual poco a poco sin importarle y colocándole cura tras cura se va agravando hasta llegar un punto que el dolor no lo ve como una excusa por más que llena la batería de sangre.

    Es asombroso ver como la obsesión y las ganas de perfeccionar lo que ama crea lentamente un estado mental dónde desaparecen los límites, que sin importar lo que le pase debe lograrlo.

    La cita con Nicole transcurrió de forma amena luego de destrozarse la mano tocando la batería, estos charlan acerca de; sus vidas, música, estudios, entre otras cosas. A decir verdad fue de las últimas veces que podremos ver a Andrew de manera un tanto sana en la cuál su obsesión no a terminado de dañar su salud mental.

(Dato curioso: Nicole en esa cita sabía que quería algo con Andrew ya que tenían sentimientos y varias cosas en común que a ella le llamaron la atención.)

    El día de la presentación dónde tocarán WHIPLASH la carpeta que contenía las partituras de el Baterista principal Carl Tanner fue robada sin que se dieran cuenta mientras estaba bajo el cuidado de Andrew, sin embargo, no era responsabilidad de él creando un problema ya que Tanner no sabía las partituras de memoria ocasionando que Terence se enojara por su incompetencia.

    Andrew quién había practicado arduamente si se las sabía dándole Terence una oportunidad amenazándolo con no olvidar nada o volvería a la banda de segunda de dónde lo sacó. Gracias a la obsesión y ganas de ser el mejor logró tocar la canción excelente quedándose con el puesto de baterista principal por su hazaña.

    Ya a mitad de Filme es dónde se encuentra uno de los mayores descargos de presión, obsesión y abusos. Tenemos un Andrew que luego de cortar relación con Nicole tras sentirse amenazado en ser reemplazado como baterista principal por Ryan (nuevo integrante a quién considera menos que el) y discutir con su familia porque ser baterista no era algo de que sentirse grandioso se encuentra ya perturbado, estresado y muy agitado en su salud mental.

    Si has sido bastante atento a la actitud de Terence te puedes dar cuenta que todo como dejar a Andrew ser titular baterista e incluir un nuevo integrante, cuestionarlo y presionarlo solo va creando una bomba de tiempo mediante manipulación y meterse poco a poco en su mente. Terence quiere que Andrew sea mejor pero sus métodos y forma de enseñarle son agresivos, ha logrado obsesionarlo con que no puede volver a ser un segundo lugar.

    En el ensayo de Caravane Terence se enoja con los Bateristas ya que ninguno al momento es capaz de tocar lo que el desea, tomándose el tiempo de llevar a cada uno a su máximo posible con tal de tocar RÁPIDO la parte que no han logrado dominar. SANGRE, SUDOR Y ENOJODA, son unas de las cosas que brotan de los 3 bateristas quienes tras horas de intentarlo no pueden más, Andrew en un último intento y luego de que todos fueran humillados y casi agredidos es forzado a tocar tan rápido como pueda hasta que sus manos sangran, Terence intentara hacerlo fallar golpeándole un instrumento a su lado para distraerlo, arrojando uno de los tambores y gritándole cosas, Andrew por fin lo logra casi al borde de desfallecer dejando todo el instrumento sudado y chispeado de sangre.

    Sin duda alguna una de las escenas más fuertes de la película, ese sentimiento y ansiedad, el dolor y todo su esfuerzo es transmitido con cada gesto o acción que Andrew hace. La escenografía y las luces se encargan en todo momento de mostrarte indirectamente cada detalle de lo que sucede.

(Dato curioso: Antes de que comenzara el ensayo Terence cuenta que un alumno estrella que tuvo murió en un "ACCIDENTE".)

    Definitivamente los límites de esta parte de la película ya no existen en Andrew, 5:00 PM era su hora de llegar a la presentación cuando yendo en vía el autobús que los trasladaba pinchó un neumático teniendo que correr a una renta de autos cercano firmando a última hora y sin querer dejando sus baquetas en el alquilar de autos. A todo velocidad llega pero aún así entre tanta adrenalina, desespero y ansiedad discute con Terence que volvería por sus baquetas, sería el y nadie más que tocaría la bateria.

    Cuando venía de regreso de buscar las baquetas es llamado por teléfono dónde lo apresuran aún más, lastimosamente entre todo el ajetreo y su mente nublada por todo el estrés se pasa un semáforo y es arrollado por un camión siendo volteado en plena vía pública. Como puede se sale del auto, toma las baquetas y acude a la presentación, herido, conmocionado, fuera de si y con lo que podría decir un dedo roto, como es de imaginar la presentación fracasa y casi se desmaya encima del instrumento, Terence le dice que todo se acabó y es su culpa.

    Terence mientras se disculpa con la audiencia Andrew entra en un tipo de Catarsis agrediendo e insultando a su Profesor, enojado y liberando toda su furia que está dentro de el mientras le grita con todo su ser que lo odia.

    Si, Andrew estaba en su límite psicológico y físico, había dado todo de si y para nada, el fracaso destruyó la poca cordura que ya la quedaba. Se deshizo de todo lo que quería por lograr su meta, la obsesión lo había acabado y debía liberar toda su rabia hacía la persona que más daño le hizo.

    Tras lo sucedido se sabe gracias a una abogada que la muerte en un accidente de un antiguo alumno de Fletcher se debió a un suicidio ocurrido por las practicas tan extremas, depresión y daño psicológico que recibió, por lo mismo aunque la familia del afectado no puede hacer nada quiere apoyar a Andrew para que haga algo al respecto, muy dudoso el acepta y es como acaba haciendo que despidan a su profesor pero a el también por su agresión de la Academia a la que asistía.

    Se deshace de todo e intenta acomodar su vida, obtiene un empleo y pasa ratos con su padre. Busca rehacer las cosas que abandonó por su sueño, aunque no es suficiente se sigue sintiendo vacío y lamenta haber dejado a Nicole. Todo en su día a día, los posters y cosas de su alrededor le recuerdan a la obsesión por ser el mejor, sin embargo, se mantiene.

    En un paseo por la ciudad Andrew mientras comía una pizza encuentra un bar dónde Fletcher es invitado especial, entra y lo observa tocar el piano, cuando acaba este se percata de Andrew y lo detiene antes que se vaya, se sientan a charlar sobre que fue "despedido", sus métodos de enseñanza y la invitación como baterista a un festival de música que se aproxima.

    Para este punto la trama nos intenta hacer empatizar con el Profesor Fletcher ¿De verdad era necesario llevar a una persona a su límite con tal de que de lo mejor de si? ¿es la derrota una forma de motivarse a volver y ser aún más fuerte?
    Fletcher nos da a entender que todo lo que hacía era para crear o encontrar al próximo Charlie Parker alguien que no se rinda y vuelve a ponerse de pie sin importar lo que le digan, el no debe porque disculparse con nadie por querer lograr le perfección.

    Como espectadores sabremos notar que todo lo que hizo Fletcher fue llevado a otro nivel, sobrepasa cualquier raya que no todos están preparados para cruzar. Cada persona tiene sus motivaciones y maneras crecer, no se pone en duda más, sin embargo, debes estar consiente que hay caminos donde debes sacrificar mucho y tal vez no sea suficiente, podrías terminar con tu propia vida o la de alguien más si no sabes detenerte a tiempo.

    Andrew la misma noche de encontrarse con Fletcher al volver a casa llama a Nicole con intención de arreglas las cosas, sin embargo, tras invitarla a la presentación que iría esta le comenta que tiene novio y que tendría que ver si podría asistir. Este fue el punto de no retorno de Andrew, tal vez si hubiera tenido la oportunidad de arreglar las cosas con ella no hubiera tomado la decisión de volver.

    Desempolvando y armando la batería que había guardado en su armario comienza a practicar, creando un nuevo inicio para el, ¿tal vez uno más tranquilo y sin tantos problemas?

    Llega el día de la presentación a la que participará cómo bateristas para Fletcher, todo fluye casual llegando a tiempo e invitando a su padre. Se hace una reunión antes de empezar y se menciona que según el éxito que tengan muchos podrían tener oportunidades de ser contratados o becados por alguna persona influyente del público. Andrew sabía que se tocaría WHIPLASH y CARAVANE, canciones que conocía perfectamente y había practicado arduamente.

    Desde el momento que salen al escenario y se posiciona siente como que algo no anda del todo bien, observa las partituras y están allí pero por alguna razón los otros tienen unas diferentes, Fletcher se para al micrófono presentando y agradeciendo, comenta que esa noche tendrán algo nuevo un ritmo diferente, en ese momento Andrew no puede creer lo que está pasando cayendo en cuenta que Fletcher le tendió una trampa para acabar con el y las posibilidades de revivir su carrera, tocar una canción que no sabe sería su fin haciendo que lo vieran como un incompetente, en su cabeza ya se daba cuenta que Fletcher sabía que el lo había delatado y hecho que lo despidieran, está es su venganza.

    Luego de presentar todo al público sucede la segunda mejor escena de toda la película, se voltea mientras una luz le pega por detrás creando un enfoque de cara muy serio y una mirada de placer al saber que será al fin de Andrew, acabará con quién hizo que lo despidieran. Cambia la cámara entre Andrew y Fletcher a cada momento, la expresión atónita de nuestro protagonista junto al miedo que siente en ese momento es expresada a la perfección dejando muchas expresiones y emociones volar en cada segundo.

    Luego de fracasar en la canción que no fue notificado Andrew se encontraba destrozado a punto de ser quebrantado su espíritu. Sale corriendo del escenario al Backstage para abrazar a su padre entre enojo e irá por todo lo que ha sufrido y le acaban de hacer pasar. A este punto te das cuenta que toda la película Terence estuvo ejecutando planes y llevando a cabo; abusos, excesos y sobrepasando los límites humanos para sacar lo máximo de Andrew. ¿tu lo soportarías? ¿crees que para lograr tus sueños debes abandonar todo lo ajeno a ellos?

    Mientras Andrew abrazaba a su padre sabía que NO ERA MOMENTO PARA RENDIRSE, sino se regresaba al escenario y demostraba todo de si estaría deprimido y destruido el resto de su vida. Vuelve y se sienta en la Batería mientras Fletcher le dice que lo acabará sin prestarle atención, mientras va a presentar la siguiente canción es interrumpido por Andrew en un arrebato músical inhumano, EUFÓRICO, LLENO DE GANAS CON DEMOSTRAR QUE TODO SU ESFUERZO NO SERÁ EN VANO presenciamos el mayor descargo de toda la película, la mejor escena donde poco a poco va sacando de si cada segundo que tuvo que practicar y sangrar, tocando de manera espectacular, en efecto un momento dónde sabemos que el protagonista y su intérprete trabajaron muy duro para llegar a ese momento, guiando a la banda Andrew fue haciendo ver a Fletcher que todo el terror psicológico que le había infundado había funcionado creando a lo que para el seguro sería el mejor baterista de Jazz del mundo, la escena y la película acaba con Andrew sacando todo de si tocando mirando fijamente a Fletcher mientras este por fin le sonríe dándole la validación que siempre buscó de lo que para el era el mejor músico del país, dando un cierre con una sonrisa y golpeando lo más fuerte que puede la batería cerrando toda esta trama. ESO FUE WHIPLASH, quien por su nombre ya daba una idea de la sinopsis.

    En todo momento que transcurre la historia te sientes introducido a ella con cada sentimiento, te hace sentir ansiedad, el dolor y el cansancio que tuvo que vivir Andrew, la obsesión por lograr un fin y ser perfecto. Nos hace ver qué Fletcher era un antagonista maquiavélico y muy vengativo quien nunca olvida a los que lo traicionan, el fin siempre justificó los medios y no estaba consiente del daño producido a las personas que hostigaba, cada insulto como un latigazo, cada palabra taladraba en la mente de cada uno de los que enseñó, orilló a una persona al suicidio y al protagonista casi lo hunde en la depresión.

    Sin duda alguna una película asombrosa que aunque parezca un final feliz para nada lo fue, no fue sana en ningún momento la relación tóxica que llevaban, el sufrimiento inhumano físico y psicológico no es bueno para nadie, tener que abandonar a todos por un sueño es algo que se debe pensar muy bien. Lo que mantuvo a Andrew fue su obsesión que hizo mantener su espíritu aún cuando su cuerpo se encontraba desecho.

    Acá es donde te pregunto a ti como lector, ¿es necesario llegar a tales límites con tal de sacar el máximo potencial de una persona? ¿serás capaz de torturarte día a día por un sueño? ¿era ese el camino correcto para un fin?

(Datos curiosos:

1. Andrew en su primera práctica en la que fue humillado siempre hizo el tiempo perfecto, sin embargo, Fletcher siempre tuvo el plan de sacar todo de el enloqueciéndolo y haciendo pensar que lo hacía mal.

2. La libreta que perdió Andrew en la primera presentación con la banda fue la misma que le puso al lado de la batería en la última escena, por eso sabía que algo andaba mal, se encontraban todas su anotaciones, sabía que Fletcher las había robado para que el tuviera que tocar de memoria en la primera presentación y ser el baterista principal.

3. En todo momento Fletcher siempre tenía planes ocultos, tenía una personalidad amigable la cuál usaba al principio con las personas para luego usar la información obtenida cómo punto débil, si, era muy bueno detectando los puntos débiles de cada persona).

    Greetings friends, I wish you a happy day, afternoon or evening. Have you ever wondered what is the limit to achieve a goal? Well, that's what this film is about, how the desire for perfection becomes an obsession, a feeling so great that it is capable of destroying the mental or physical health of someone in order to achieve their goals; blood, tears, sweat and soul, are the things that we are capable of giving up when it comes to reaching a goal. What would you do in order to become a recognized/famous person? family, loves and friends, would you be able to leave everything to be at the top?

    WHIPLASH was directed by Damien Chazelle who we can also remember for his direction in LA LA LAND: City of Dreams. The film revolves around Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) a jazz-loving drummer who with great ambitions and the reminder of his father's failure to fulfill his dreams will struggle to be the best of all at an elite academy where he will meet Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simons) an abusive and extremist band director who will put him through hell.

(Fun fact: The film only needed 3.3 Million Dollars to be produced, showing that with a small budget you can create a great gem).

    The scene begins and we see Andrew playing quite enthusiastically while the shot approaches until he is a few meters away, we notice that the shot was Professor Terence who curiously approached the boy, although this curiosity would turn into an awkward chat that would end up showing the arrogance of the professor and giving a strange interest after pressing and insulting the protagonist a little.

    After what happened Andrew goes to the movies with his father but not before passing by the candy counter of the cinema trying to take courage to ask out a girl, which he fails and we can notice in his face while watching the movie with his father, you can see in his face that he feels pressured and disconnected by the previous situation with the teacher and now for not having the guts to say something to the girl in the cinema.

    It does not take much of the film and the tension that it transmits is already rising, and so little by little as the events progress.

    Andrew practices a lot in his spare time and listens to CD's where he only pays attention to the drums, he plays until he sweats and almost bleeds, he is determined that he wants to be the best. He is the substitute in the band of his class, however, you can tell he aspires to great things and that's when one day after wandering around the door of the place where Andrew's band plays, Terence enters, testing each and every one of them, making fun or noting dislike for everyone, when he gets to Neiman he almost doesn't let him play and asks the main drummer to play, he asks him to stop and walks away from everyone calling Andrew, he summons him to go to his band to see what he has, Terence leaves and the happy face of our protagonist appears along with a smile of satisfaction at being taken into account.

    After the whole event with Professor Terence, Andrew becomes more confident and gains more solidity as a character, so much so that when he leaves practice he goes straight to the Cinema where he asks out the girl he likes in a determined manner where she agrees to go out for a pizza.

    His first day as a student and member of Terence's band and he is late as he didn't wake up at the time the Professor told him to, however, he gets to the classroom as fast as he can even if he falls down the stairs. Andrew walks more calmly out of the room and notices a board that says the band is playing at 09:00am, indeed, it is from now on that things will start to get more tense.

    From the moment Terence arrives to the classroom there is a somber and very very heavy atmosphere, he doesn't say good morning starting after taking off his coat and hat, he places his hand in position saying from where they will leave not before mentioning the presence of Andrew as a new member, the substitute/assistant of the main drummer.

    After a while he stops the practice by questioning someone who is out of tune, everyone shuts up and no one says anything. Terence insists so much that he selects Mets (I don't know if I spelled it right) that as soon as he mentions it, he gets nervous and looking at the floor, Terence asks: "Are you out of tune? He doesn't answer and asks him again until he finally nods and looks at him with fear, the teacher denigrates him and expels him screaming while he can only cry and stay in Shock, he runs him off and then says he was not out of tune, however, someone who doesn't know if he is or not implies that he is useless, the out of tune was Erickson, another member of the band.
    Andrew can't believe what just happened Terence is strict but feels that beyond that someone quite impulsive and demanding, he is nervous and scared as after a break he will be playing drums when he returns.

(Fun fact: As a viewer I felt that the light used in that kind of situation with Professor Terence and the people around express some sense of fear or a rather tense and challenging atmosphere.)

(Fun fact 2: The composition they are practicing is called WHIPLASH.)

    Terence after the problem of the out of tune instrument approaches Andrew in the break asking him about his life and his family, he tells him everything, the problem of his father's failure and that his mother abandoned him, a big mistake because although he was kind while they chatted what was coming next would be the beginning of abuse and manipulation of which he will not realize.

    When Andrew starts practicing, when he reaches a certain part of the score, he doesn't play it in the expected time or perhaps the time Terence wants him to. His attitude when correcting him starts passively, however, he continues with Terence throwing a chair at him, yelling at him from close range, slapping him, calling him retarded and above all using all the information he had previously told him, making him angry and calling him effeminate for crying on top of his drum set.

    No doubt the helplessness that Andrew feels is perceived by the viewer, all the hatred spewed by Terence is just the beginning of something that can not end well, in just a moment he had finished with Andrew leaving him completely out of his mind.

    No doubt Andrew's attitude changed since all the humiliation he received from Terence, after arriving home he was still out of his mind, observing everything that made him continue with his dream of being a great drummer. He arranges his room to be able to play and continue practicing, leaving only the drums and essential things.

    In an act of impulse and impotence he takes his drumsticks and begins to work hard to improve without caring if his hands turn to dust, a blister from so much friction comes out which little by little without caring and placing cure after cure it gets worse until it reaches a point that the pain does not see it as an excuse even though it fills the drum set with blood.

    It is amazing to see how the obsession and desire to perfect what he loves slowly creates a state of mind where limits disappear, that no matter what happens to him he must achieve it.

    The date with Nicole went smoothly after destroying his hand playing the drums, they chatted about their lives, music, studies, among other things. To tell the truth, it was one of the last times we will be able to see Andrew in a somewhat healthy way in which his obsession has not ended up damaging his mental health.

(Fun fact: Nicole on that date knew she wanted something with Andrew as they had feelings and several things in common that caught her attention.)

    On the day of the performance in which WHIPLASH was to be played, the folder containing the sheet music of the lead drummer, Carl Tanner, was inadvertently stolen while in Andrew's care, however, it was not his responsibility creating a problem as Tanner did not know the sheet music by heart causing Terence's anger at his incompetence.

    Andrew who had practiced hard if he knew them gave Terence a chance by threatening not to forget anything or he would go back to the second rate band where he got him from. Thanks to his obsession and desire to be the best he managed to play the excellent song and took the position of lead drummer for his feat.

    Already in the middle of the film is where we find one of the greatest discharges of pressure, obsession and abuse. We have an Andrew who after severing his relationship with Nicole after feeling threatened to be replaced as lead drummer by Ryan (a new member whom he considers less than him) and arguing with his family because being a drummer was not something to feel great about, is now disturbed, stressed and very agitated in his mental health.

    If you have been attentive enough to Terence's attitude you can realize that everything like leaving Andrew as the titular drummer and including a new member, questioning him and pressuring him is only creating a time bomb by manipulating and getting into his mind little by little. Terence wants Andrew to be better but his methods and way of teaching him are aggressive, he has managed to obsess him that he can't go back to being a second place.

    In the rehearsal of Caravane, Terence gets angry with the drummers because none of them is able to play what he wants, taking the time to take each one to his maximum possible in order to play FAST the part that they have not been able to master. BLOOD, SWEAT AND ANGER, are some of the things that come out of the 3 drummers who after hours of trying can't do it anymore, Andrew in a last attempt and after they were all humiliated and almost assaulted is forced to play as fast as he can until his hands bleed, Terence will try to make him fail hitting an instrument next to him to distract him, throwing one of the drums and yelling things at him, Andrew finally succeeds almost on the verge of fainting leaving the whole instrument sweaty and sparkling with blood.

    Undoubtedly one of the strongest scenes of the film, that feeling and anxiety, the pain and all his effort is transmitted with every gesture or action that Andrew makes. The scenography and the lights are in charge of showing you indirectly every detail of what happens.

(Fun fact: Before the rehearsal began Terence tells of a star pupil he had who died in an "ACCIDENT".)

    Definitely the limits of this part of the movie no longer exist in Andrew, 5:00 PM was his time to get to the presentation when the bus that was taking him to the show had a flat tire and he had to run to a nearby car rental, signing at the last minute and unintentionally leaving his drumsticks in the car rental. At full speed he arrives but still between so much adrenaline, desperation and anxiety he discusses with Terence that he would come back for his drumsticks, it would be him and nobody else who would play the drums.

    When he was on his way back from looking for the drumsticks they call him on the phone where they rush him even more, unfortunately between all the hustle and bustle and his mind clouded by all the stress he jumps a traffic light and is hit by a truck overturning him in the middle of a public road. As he can he gets out of the car, takes the drumsticks and goes to the presentation, injured, shocked, out of his mind and with what you could say a broken finger, as you can imagine the presentation fails and he almost faints on the instrument, Terence tells him that everything is over and that it's his fault.

    Terence while apologizing to the audience Andrew goes into a type of Catharsis by assaulting and insulting his Professor, angry and releasing all his rage that is inside him while screaming at the top of his lungs that he hates him.

    Yes, Andrew was at his psychological and physical limit, he had given his all and for nothing, the failure destroyed the little sanity he had left. He got rid of everything he wanted to achieve his goal, the obsession had finished him and he had to release all his anger towards the person who hurt him the most.

    After what happened it is known thanks to a lawyer that the death in an accident of a former student of Fletcher was due to suicide caused by extreme practices, depression and psychological damage he received, so although the family of the affected can not do anything they want to support Andrew to do something about it, very doubtful that he accepts and that is how he ends up getting the dismissal of his teacher but also for his aggression is thrown out of the academy.

    He gets rid of everything and tries to get his life back on track, gets a job and spends time with his father. He tries to rebuild the things he abandoned for his dream, although it is not enough, he still feels empty and regrets having left Nicole. Everything in his day to day life, the posters and things around him remind him of the obsession to be the best, however, he keeps going.

    On a stroll through the city Andrew while eating a pizza finds a bar where Fletcher is a special guest, he enters and watches him play the piano, when he finishes he notices Andrew and stops him before he leaves, they sit and chat about being "fired", his teaching methods and the invitation as a drummer to an upcoming music festival.

    At this point, the plot tries to make us empathize with Professor Fletcher. Was it really necessary to push a person to his limit in order to do his best? Is defeat a way to motivate him to come back and be even stronger?
    Fletcher implies that everything he was doing was to create or find the next Charlie Parker, someone who doesn't give up and gets back on his feet no matter what anyone tells him, he doesn't have to apologize to anyone for wanting to achieve perfection.

    As viewers we will notice that everything Fletcher did was taken to another level, it goes beyond any line that not everyone is prepared to cross. Each person has their motivations and ways to grow, it is no longer in doubt, however, you must be aware that there are paths where you must sacrifice a lot and it may not be enough, you could end your own life or someone else's if you do not know how to stop in time.

    Andrew the same night of meeting Fletcher when returning home calls Nicole with the intention of patching things up, however, after inviting her to the presentation that she would go, she tells him that she has a boyfriend and that she would have to see if she could attend. This was the point of no return for Andrew, perhaps if he had had the opportunity to patch things up with her he would not have made the decision to return.

    Dusting off and reassembling the drum set he had stored in his closet, he begins to practice, creating a new beginning for himself, perhaps a quieter and less troubled one?

    The day of the presentation arrives to which they will participate as drummers for Fletcher, everything flows casually arriving on time and inviting his father. A meeting is held before the start and it is mentioned that depending on the success they have many could have opportunities to be hired or scholarships for some influential person in the audience. Andrew knew that WHIPLASH and CARAVANE would be played, songs he knew perfectly well and had practiced hard.

    From the moment they go on stage and he positions himself he feels that something is not quite right, he looks at the scores and they are there but for some reason the others have different ones, Fletcher stands in front of the microphone presenting and thanking, he comments that that night they will have something new a different rhythm, At that moment Andrew can't believe what is happening, he realizes that Fletcher set him up to end his career and the chances of reviving it, playing a song he doesn't know would be the end of him, making him look incompetent, in his head he already realized that Fletcher knew he had ratted him out and fired him, this is his revenge.

    After presenting everything to the audience happens the second best scene of the whole movie, he turns around while a light hits him from behind creating a very serious face focus and a look of pleasure knowing that it will be the end of Andrew, he will finish with who made him get fired. He switches the camera between Andrew and Fletcher at every moment, the astonished expression of our protagonist together with the fear he feels at that moment is expressed to perfection letting many expressions and emotions fly in every second.

    After failing in the song that was not notified Andrew was crushed to the point of being broken his spirit. He runs off stage to Backstage to hug his father in anger and will go to him for all he has suffered and has just been put through. At this point you realize that the whole movie Terence was executing plans and carrying out; abuses, excesses and overstepping human limits to get the most out of Andrew. would you put up with it? do you believe that to achieve your dreams you must abandon everything foreign to them?

    As Andrew hugged his father he knew that THIS WAS NOT THE TIME TO QUIT, otherwise he would go back on stage and show all of himself, he would be depressed and destroyed for the rest of his life if he did not. He comes back and sits on the drums while Fletcher tells him he will finish it without listening to him, as he is about to introduce the next song he is interrupted by Andrew in an inhuman musical outburst, EUPHORIC, FULL OF ADRENALIN EAGER TO PROVE THAT ALL HIS EFFORT WILL NOT BE IN VANUATION, we witness the greatest outburst of the entire film, the best scene in which he slowly pulls out of himself all the seconds he had to practice and bleed, playing spectacularly, in fact a moment in which we know that the protagonist and his performer worked very hard to get to that moment, Leading the band Andrew was making Fletcher see that all the psychological terror he had instilled in him had worked creating what would surely be the best Jazz drummer in the world, the scene and the film ends with Andrew bringing out all of himself playing staring at Fletcher who finally smiles at him giving him the validation he always sought from what to him was the best musician in the country, closing with a smile and hitting the drums as best he can closing this whole plot. THAT WAS WHIPLASH, which by its name already gave an idea of the synopsis.

    At every moment of the story you feel introduced to it with every feeling, it makes you feel anxiety, the pain and fatigue that Andrew had to live, the obsession to achieve an end and be perfect. It makes us see that Fletcher was a Machiavellian and very vindictive antagonist who never forgets those who betray him, the end always justified the means and he was not aware of the damage caused to the people he harassed, each insult like a whip, each word drilled into the mind of each of those he taught, he drove one person to suicide and the protagonist almost plunged him into depression.

    Undoubtedly an amazing film that although it seems a happy ending for nothing was, it was not healthy at any time the toxic relationship they had, the inhuman physical and psychological suffering is not good for anyone, having to abandon everyone for a dream is something to think very well. What kept Andrew going was his obsession that made him keep his spirit even when his body was wasted.

    This is where I ask you as a reader, is it necessary to reach such limits in order to get the maximum potential out of a person? are you capable of torturing yourself day after day for a dream? was that the right path to an end?

(Fun facts:

1. Andrew in his first practice in which he was humiliated always made perfect time, however, Fletcher always had a plan to get everything out of him by freaking him out and making him think he was doing it wrong.

2. The notebook that Andrew lost in the first performance with the band was the same one he put next to the drums in the last scene, that's why he knew something was wrong, all his notes were there, he knew Fletcher had stolen them so he would have to play from memory in the first performance and be the main drummer.

3. At all times Fletcher always had hidden plans, he had a friendly personality which he used at first with people to later use the information obtained as a weak point, yes, he was very good at detecting the weak points of each person.)