Whiplash

‘Whiplash’ Theatrical Release Poster

The next entry in the run-down of Best Picture contenders, is one of the more surprising contenders this year. Whiplash is a strange contender in some senses, it is a hard and uncomfortable watch at times, and it’s a difficult film to “like” for this reason. It is the rawness of feeling that this film leaves in its audience, that makes this the powerful film and contender that it is.

On the surface a film about a talented and ambitious student being broken down by a ruthless, maniacal bully, doesn’t make for the most appealing premise, and yet this is essentially the spine of this story. However, the team behind this project have created an intense, unsettling and at times uncomfortably claustrophobic film, but a film which commands attention. To create characters, situations or interactions which are difficult to watch and keep you watching and engaged with those characters is an admirable achievement and one which has understandably gained critical acclaim.