Whiplash

You know you’re watching a great film when you find yourself unexpectedly enthralled by a subject matter you had no familiarity with prior to entering the cinema. But while Whiplash does for jazz music what Rocky did for boxing (who’d have thought a drum solo could make such a gripping final act?), at its heart it’s a fascinating mentor/student tale that raises some intriguing questions about commitment to one’s craft and the sacrifices we make in the pursuit of greatness. Refreshingly, it’s also a film almost entirely void of clichés, with the script throwing you curveballs every step of the way. JK Simmons and Miles Teller are equally mesmerising as the afore-mentioned mentor and student, but the real star of the show is screenwriter-turned-director Damien Chazelle. Now there’s a talent to watch.

5/5