Two years ago, the world was introduced to Damien Chazelle‘s filmmaking and what an introduction it was. Whiplash is not only a great film but one of the best films of 2014. A film that pulls no punches, examining and showing the dangers and payoffs of artistic ambition.

Whiplash is a feature-length reprise of Chazelle’s award-winning short of the same name and tells the story of Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller), a young jazz drummer, who has one goal: to rise to the top of his elite East Coast music conservatory. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), is an instructor, equally known for his teaching talents as his abusive tactics, who discovers Andrew as he is practicing a routine and transfers him into his band. Andrew’s perfectionist passion quickly turns into an obsession that disconnects him from not only a social life but from the obvious mental abuse Fletcher is giving him.

What makes Whiplash so great?

It all starts with Chazelle’s direction. From the opening shot of Andrew playing the drums where the camera pans into the room, we are immersed into the life of Andrew. Fletcher turns his class into boot camp. Blood and sweat are spilled in brilliant close-ups by Chazelle. This scene is aided by Fletcher screaming at the young drummers to go “faster, faster” and his continual insistence that it is “not quite my tempo.” As soon as a student loses the tempo or plays a note out of tune, he holds up his right hand, and his students stop playing. Chazelle closes in on the fear in the students’ faces. Chazelle is able to balance the un-comfort and tension throughout those scenes, keeping the audience hooked and culminating in a finale that I can call satisfying.

Aiding Chazelle’s brilliant direction are the actors of Whiplash. Lead by an Academy Award-winning performance by J.K. Simmons as Terence Fletcher, Simmons commands every scene he is in. He is terrifying and simply phenomenal. From telling a student that he is nothing more than a “pansy-ass weeping and slobbering over my drum kit like a nine-year-old girl” to making Andrew earn his part as the lead drummer by having him and the other drummers do the routine repeatedly until done right, Simmons is able to not only bring fear out his students but the audience. Fletcher will not succumb to praising a student’s work as he feels that the worst phrase that can be told to someone is “good job.” He is the one in charge, the drill sergeant, and the warden. Simmons not only provides one of the finest performances of the 2010s and one of my top 20 favorite performance of all time.

Miles Teller, while not on the level of Simmons’ performance, is quite likable in the role of Andrew. Teller does a fine job in making the audience feel for Andrew and while understanding the desire to succeed and his obsession, we, as an audience still disapprove of Fletcher’s actions throughout the film.

There is not much to dislike about Whiplash. It is simply a pleasure to watch and was rewarded for it by the Academy. Winner of 3 Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Supporting Actor for Simmons, and nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, Whiplash is not only an introduction to Damien Chazelle but the realization that he not only has a promising career but he has arrived.

Before catching his latest film and Oscar favorite, La La Land, everyone should check out Whiplash because there will be no disappointment at its conclusion.

Reel Talk gives Whiplash 4 reels