10 Hidden Details In Opening And Closing Movie Scenes You Completely Missed
3. Whiplash - Practise Makes Perfect
Damien Chazelle’s most well-known movie is probably his Oscar-winning modern musical, La La Land (2016), but a special mention should go to his 2014 drama, Whiplash.
The film centres on an ambitious young drummer, Andrew (Miles Teller), who gets invited to be part of an musical ensemble by the abrasive conductor, Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), who slowly grows more and more abusive towards him.
It opens with Andrew playing on his drum set, when Fletcher walks in and sets the events of the film in motion. The film again closes with Andrew playing drums, again being composed by Fletcher. But now in front of a big audience, and Andrew is absolutely nailing his performing.
What’s really scary and terrifying about Whiplash is not just Fletcher’s abusive and bullying behaviour, but also, that his behaviour may in fact be successful. Through Fletcher's teaching, Andrew has become a really talented drummer, and in a really twisted way, it goes to show you that practise really does make perfect.