Whiplash: Character Analysis

Whiplash is the story of Andrew Neiman and his pursuit of becoming a renowned jazz artist, but whiplash isn't just about jazz, it's about the obsession for greatness. Damien Chazzelle, a former high school jazz drummer, is the director and writer of whiplash. He included many autobiographical elements, including his own demanding instructor becoming the model behind Fletcher. Originally, Chazelle wanted to make La La land, but it was too ambitious as his first film as a college student, which led to him writing Whiplash. Even with the less ambitious production, he still couldn't find a production company so he entered a film competition with a shortened version of his film. Chazzelle’s short film placed first and helped him secure funding for the feature. Even with funding, it was still limited, as he was new to directing and only had a $3.3 million budget and a 19-day shoot. Just as Whiplash follows Andrew and his pursuit of excellence, the making of Whiplash mirrors that relentless pursuit.

Andrew is a 19 year old jazz drummer at Shaffer Conservatory(based on Juilliard) who dreams of becoming one of the greats. Andrew is unique, as he has an intense drive to succeed and a belief that greatness requires total sacrifice. This decision isolates him from the rest of his family with whom he tells "I'd rather die drunk, broke at 34 and have people at a dinner table talk about me than live to be rich and sober at 90 and nobody remembered who I was.” His complete deviation to drumming and the heavy personal cost it brings are put on full display in this quote. Over the course of the film, music fully takes over Andrew's life as he evolves and becomes consumed by projection, willing to endure any pain to surpass his limits. Andrews' story explores the fine line between dedication and self destruction. In the final scene, while Andrew puts his skills on display in front of the crowd, his father watches him, almost fearful, reeling and Andre has returned to his relentless purity of greatness, and that it may consume him once again. 

Terrence Fletcher is known for being a legendary and terrifying conductor at Shaffer Conservatory. He is known for his fearsome presence and demanding perfection from all his students. Fletcher's philosophy as a teacher revolves around his belief that true greatness requires pushing students to their absolute limits. He used fear and humiliation in order to push his student to the brink. He believes that “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job’.” This shows his belief that praise creates weakness and that pressure is required for greatness. In Fletcher's classes, he tells his class about a past student named Sean Casey who was a promising drummer. Fletcher tells his class that Casey died in a car accident, but after it's revealed Sean took his own life, likely due to the intense pressure he was reeling from Fletcher's verbal abuse. This truth exposes the dark side of Fletcher's teaching and shows that his teaching philosophy can destroy the people he's trying to make great. Fletcher thrives on being in control and believes that the ends can justify the means. Fletcher is a complex character, both mentor and monster, who can inspire geniuses or destroy them in the process. 

Before one of the biggest jazz competitions of Andrew's career, Andrew faces pressure from Fletcher, who tells him failure is not an option, and he will be kicked out of Shaffer if he doesn't play perfectly. At this point, Andrew is both desperate to impress while also deathly afraid of him. 10 minutes before going on stage, Andrew realises he forgot his drumsticks. He is told that if he is not back in time, he loses the part. He frantically drives to get his sticks and returns in the nick of time, but on the way back he gets into a violent crash with his car flipping over. He is bleeding and disoriented, regardless, he runs to the stage. He attempts to play through visible pain, his hands and face covered in blood. His performance is a catastrophe and he is publicly humiliated by Fletcher. In rage, Andrews lunges at Fletcher, leading to expulsion. As the scene closes out it focuses on the blood stained cymbals which represent the physical and emotional cost of his obsession. This film's central question forces the audience to ask themselves, what is the real price of greatness.  display in front of the crowd, his father watches him, almost fearful, reeling and Andre has returned to his relentless purity of greatness, and that it may consume him once again.