Big Picture Big Sound

Whiplash Blu-ray Review

By Rachel Cericola

The Film

With a title like Whiplash, you'd probably expect the next Jason Statham blockbuster or even another Stallone/Schwarzenegger reunion. And having the name of 90s sitcom star Paul Reiser perched towards the top of the credits probably isn't going to help sway many opinions.

The film is actually the tale of two jazz fiends, which may also turn a few viewers off from the get-go. Don't let your love or hate of the music genre steer you away. The plot is so much more, Reiser is so much more, and the rest of this Oscar-winning drama is one of the surprises of the year. Whiplash is a chest-pounding, heart-wrenching 107 minutes with two fantastic standout performances that shouldn't be missed.

One of those is by J.K. Simmons, who took home this year's Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his work here. Probably best known to audiences as Spider-Man's J. Jonah Jameson, the Farmers Insurance guy, or the voice of the yellow M&M, Simmons plays conductor Terence Fletcher. Remember that one teacher you were so eager to please, who gave you shivers down your spine and knots in your stomach? Fletcher outdoes them all. He's an insanely abusive mentor who throws insults (and chairs) faster than his jazz hands, brings musicians to tears, and is a general all-around prick. Hey, no one is going to bring his band down.

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Miles Teller beats the drums for J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash." Photo by Daniel McFadden, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

The strange thing is: Kids sign up for this sort of thing. In fact, they all seem to clamor for it. And in the case of drummer Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), he needs it if he wants to become the next Buddy Rich. Neiman is the latest addition to Fletcher's studio jazz band, meaning he's the crème de la crème of the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York. Being a wide-eyed freshman and frothing to please, Neiman takes all of Fletcher's abuse and even dishes some out to himself, by dumping his girlfriend as a possible distraction and practicing to the point where his hands bleed a lot.

If you're trying to place Teller, he's the guy that took over Chris Penn's role in the unnecessary Footloose remake. Thankfully, he moved on, faring a little better opposite Shailene Woodley in The Spectacular Now and soon will be filling the rubbery shoes of Mr. Fantastic for the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. Fantastic pretty much suits what he's doing here, though. He delivers a powerful, star-making performance. And Simmons? Well, he never disappoints. His Oscar is well-deserved and so are all of the accolades this movie has been receiving. Whiplash is a surprisingly powerful film that will stick with you well beyond its 107-minute runtime.

The Picture

Whiplash has a lot of soft imagery, a bit of noise, and a super-dark color palette. It doesn't pop like a lot of newer films, but this 2.40:1 transfer offers up a great viewing experience, exactly as Writer/Director Damien Chazelle intended. Colors are dark, but also strong. The detail, while not always evident in every single scene, is the highlight here. It's there where it needs to be and really stands out, whether that's in the form of blood, sweat and tears or the many veins that pop from J. K. Simmons' head. It's just a really gripping viewing experience all around.

The Sound

Sony's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is the next best thing to having a live band in your living room. The dialogue is powerful and always clear, and it's amazing how well it weaves in between Fletcher's many commands. That said, the music is really the star of this show. Whether it's delivering a drum solo, a full band, or a car crash, this track explodes with all sorts of exciting little moments. It's absolutely one that you'll want to keep on hand for demo purposes.

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The Extras

Sony hasn't loaded this Blu-ray with extras, but it's more about the quality than the quantity. The release comes packing Writer/Director Damien Chazelle's original Whiplash short, a Q&A from the Toronto Film Festival, and a great commentary track with Chazelle and J.K. Simmons. There's also a single (but interesting) deleted scene. The lengthiest piece of the lot is the 43-minute featurette "Timekeepers." This offers an interesting peek at the inspiration, equipment and passion behind drumming, thanks to words and interviews with Chazelle, a few music students, and too many famous drummers to count.

Final Thoughts

Don't be turned off by the jazz, the setting, or the love-hate relationship themes. Above everything, this movie is about two people and an insanely unhealthy relationship. However, it's not going to leave you on a sour note. Whiplash is absolutely one of the best films of the year, with two performances that should not be missed. Miles Teller is great and J.K. Simmons didn't just pick up that award for being a nice guy, you know. In fact, this movie shows he can be quite the scary opposite. Those performances and the audio track alone are worth picking this one up -- immediately.

Product Details

  • Actors: Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons, Paul Reiser
  • Director: Damien Chazelle
  • Audio/Languages: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English, French, Spanish), DVS 2.0 (English)
  • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Rating: R
  • Studio: Sony
  • Blu-ray Disc Release Date: February 24, 2015
  • Run Time: 107 minutes
  • List Price: $34.99
  • Extras:
    • Commentary with J.K. Simmons and Damien Chazelle
    • Timekeepers
    • Whiplash Original Short Film
    • Fletcher at Home
    • An Evening at the Toronto International Film Festival with Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons and Damien Chazelle
    • Theatrical Trailer
    • Previews
    • UltraViolet Digital Copy

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