As a film enthusiast and a musician who has spent countless hours practicing to perfection, I can confidently say that Whiplash is one of those rare gems that truly resonates with the creative soul. Having experienced both the highs and lows of artistic pursuit, I find myself deeply moved by this complex, layered narrative.
“Whiplash is among the best movies I’ve ever seen, and I was captivated from the very first watch. However, this movie is quite intense and stressful, which makes me hesitant to rewatch it frequently. At one point, I thought I would never watch it again due to its intense initial impact. But recently, I decided to face my apprehensions and revisit Whiplash once more. Despite the film’s lingering place in my list of favorites, its conclusion still leaves me puzzled.”
What I’m trying to convey isn’t that it’s too difficult to understand because it’s excessively complex. Instead, I’m referring to the fact that it’s intricately layered and convoluted, not just for Andrew (Miles Teller), but also for regular viewers like myself.
Let me explain.
Warning: Whiplash spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.
Some Could View The Whiplash Ending As Tragic
At the climax of Whiplash, Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) tries one last time to embarrass Andrew for causing his dismissal. But instead of backing off following an error, Andrew persists and dominates the performance, stealing the limelight. The movie concludes with Andrew delivering an impressive solo act on stage.
It’s understandable that the film’s ending could be interpreted in various ways, but one interpretation is that an abuser effectively triumphs. His tactics have proven effective. What’s more troubling is that Andrew is so eager for Fletcher’s approval that he goes to great lengths. He also becomes increasingly self-centered and attention-seeking at this point. Yes, he reaches a pinnacle of success, but the movie intentionally concludes with Andrew continuing to perform, implying a persistent cycle of abuse.
1) He’s yet to receive the recognition or relaxation he ought to have. Regardless of his loving father, Andrew idolizes this abusive individual. The abuser has essentially owned him completely. It’s expected that Andrew will carry on performing for Fletcher, and the abuse is likely to persist. They both seem to believe it’s a price to pay for success.
Even sadder, we see Andrew becoming Fletcher. He will probably soon become as cold, focused, and heartless as his instructor. We can already see Fletcher’s traits coming out of him. Additionally, this is one of those films about an antihero and complex figure. In many ways, it’s an artist-as-a-jerk movie. It’s a genius who believes the only way to succeed is through unwavering devotion and sacrifice to the craft. All humanity could be lost in favor of achievements.
Although Fletcher’s abusive behavior seems to be the primary factor in Andrew’s success, it’s possible that Andrew could have achieved similar levels of dedication, success, and commitment without such constant verbal, physical, and emotional abuse. While Fletcher and Andrew’s relationship may have been instrumental in pushing Andrew to his limits, there is no definitive evidence that other approaches couldn’t have sparked the same drive for greatness. The idea that one must endure hardship to achieve greatness might be overstated.
Others Could View It As Aspirational
Initially, upon my first glance, I found the conclusion absolutely chilling, reminiscent of top-tier horror flicks. The notion that Andrew not only succumbed to Fletcher’s cycle of abuse but seemed to enjoy it left me utterly speechless. However, there were interpretations of the film that perceived its ending as an inspiring one. These viewers considered the finale of Whiplash as a triumph for Andrew: He demonstrated he was capable of, or had already become, one of the greatest musicians in history by overcoming Fletcher.
In a different perspective, some viewed this as him triumphing over his abuser by proving that the abuse didn’t define him, rather it was his determination and resilience that allowed him to achieve something extraordinary and remarkable. The climactic moments are worthy of admiration, not dread. Moreover, the conclusion underscores the fact that true genius and success often demand sacrifices; however, greatness can be attained if one is willing to work tirelessly enough.
The way this film resonated with me, given its similarities to “Whiplash,” left me in a state of contemplation. Despite my first impression, I sensed it would evoke varying reactions, and I wasn’t entirely certain about my own interpretation. However, what I can confirm is that I was captivated by it. This movie-watching experience has left an indelible mark on me. Due to the overall tension generated throughout the film, the ending seemed more sorrowful than optimistic.
Now, I View It As A Little Of Both But Not As A Happy Ending
Revisiting the film “Whiplash” revealed its intricate details for me. Despite being extremely tense, it’s essentially a story about an artist’s struggle to attain greatness. Fletcher embodies individuals who mistreat artists and influential figures who intimidate, but he also symbolizes the hurdles one must overcome. He personifies the challenges people encounter on their journey toward realizing their dreams.
He’s the person who tells someone they’re not good enough. And as he said, if they’re really not, they’ll stop pursuing their dreams. So the Whiplash ending could be seen as an underdog overcoming his biggest threat. It could also inspire some artists who are considering giving up or have stopped going after their dreams to continue on the path of their goals.
Fundamentally, what we’re dealing with here is a film that portrays an abusive relationship, where the abuser attempts one final attempt to shatter his victim, only to ultimately win him back, thus perpetuating the cycle of abuse. This is deeply troubling. From any optimistic perspective, it’s not a heartwarming conclusion. Andrew must persistently conquer these detrimental hurdles to achieve the artistic brilliance he aspires for. He will continue to alienate his father, romantic interests, friends, and so on. In essence, Fletcher molds both a prodigy and a monster by enabling Andrew to glimpse his immense potential greatness.
Perhaps Fletcher and Andrew found happiness in their conclusion, yet from a broader perspective encompassing life’s overall contentment, it remains dismal.
The Complex Ending Is Part Of Whiplash’s Brilliance
I don’t find Whiplash enjoyable because it’s a light-hearted, cheerful movie about music. Instead, what draws me to it is its intricate layers and refusal to offer easy solutions. It portrays the harsh, soul-destroying, and mentally and physically grueling journey towards greatness in any creative field. If you’re engaged in a creative profession, whether that’s making music, writing books, acting, or anything else, you’ll understand the struggle. It often requires some form of sacrifice or even self-abuse – not necessarily harming others, but certainly hurting oneself.
Example: Andrew endured actual pain in his hands to perform drumming. It’s not something I’m familiar with, but it seems reasonable that drummers might experience discomfort to secure awards, maintain a long-term career, and so on. Every profession demands some level of sacrifice, yet some seem to require more than others.
Whiplash is exceptional from start to finish, with its climactic ending serving as a powerful conclusion. This film offers an intricate exploration of the artist’s journey, triumph, sacrifice, and abuse, leaving me with a complex perspective. I won’t consider the ending as joyful, but it no longer feels like an unmitigated tragedy either. It serves as a suitable finale for this outstanding movie.
Rent or buy Whiplash on Amazon.
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2024-08-23 16:07