“Whiplash” is one of the most decorated films of 2014’s Oscars. It is nominated for Best Picture, Actor in a Supporting Role and Writing an Adapted Screenplay. Being an indie film, these nominations are an incredible feat. While the academy is not against the indie genre, they are known for praising the more conventional film. “Whiplash” is no traditional film.

“Whiplash” (Rated R; 106 min.) is a drama directed by Damien Chazelle starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser and Melissa Benoist.

In the film, Shaffer Conservatory music school is one of the most prestigious and cutthroat in the country. Aspiring musicians who attend the college go on to be great craftsmen. Andrew Neiman, played by Teller, is a first-year student at the school and strives to become a legendary Jazz drummer.

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Neiman soon meets the conductor of the college’s fabled jazz band, Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons. Neiman enters the band as the second chair drummer and hopes to show Fletcher his talent. He soon experiences Fletcher’s brutal teaching techniques, which proves to be a psychological journey on a long and bumpy road.

Simmons is a character actor. Most casual filmgoers would not know his name off the top of their heads, they would only be able to refer to his roles in the “Spider-Man,” films and on “Juno.” While “Whiplash” may not shoot his name into the stratosphere of stars like Brad Pitt and George Clooney, hopefully more people will remember his name.

The man is viscous in his portrayal as Fletcher. He takes the hate-filled lines given to him by Chazelle and makes each syllable seem natural. When Simmons is yelling at a student for messing up on a simple mistake, he shows his true character. He portays where Fletcher came from better than any backstory could. He puts everything he has into it, and it shows on screen.

With this level of acting, the film is not dependent on the writing to humanize him. You struggle throughout the film between hating the character for putting people through emotional trauma and respecting the actor for his talent.

Chazelle’s semi-autobiographical movie has been praised since it’s screening at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014. One can even claim the film was met with applause before Sundance, the original screenplay rising to prominence on the Black List, an internet database which puts out the best unproduced script.

While his directing was phenomenal, Chazelle’s real talent is shown in his writing. His characters are real, compelling and dynamic. Even someone as emotionally connectable as Neiman makes human mistakes. The entire film is set up as both a representation of Chazelle’s own life and the pressures put upon all college students.

It is disappointing Chazelle was not nominated for the directing award, as his directing is a key component to the success of the film. The story is personal and emotional and the film represents the psychological drive in the ways it portrays Neiman destroying his own body for music.

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The film is arguably the best nominee at the Oscars. It is brash and hard to watch at points. J.K. Simmons’ yell will haunt your dreams. Teller’s broken hands will scar your memories. It is one of those movies that will leave you emotionally wrecked in a good way.

Stars: 5 out 5