Whiplash is a real movie that demands your complete attention. A real movie communicates the plot more effectively with the pairing of images and sound than a book would. The dialogue is minimal so if you are doing something else while watching, i.e. listening, to the movie, you would miss the majority of the plot. Before you watch Whiplash, lower the lights, turn off your phone and eliminate all distractions. Trigger warning for any abuse victims. Whiplash is like a horror movie, but it reminded me of The Night Porter and a sane Black Swan. The acting is perfection by Miles Teller (damn, he can have a second career as a drummer) and J. K. Simmons, everyone’s favorite Law & Order fixture. If you think that Whiplash isn’t realistic, then thank God that you haven’t encountered a person like Fletcher, an abusive conductor of a prestigious competitive jazz band comprising of students. Fletchers not only exist in all parts of society, but seem to exist publicly and in perpetuity carrying in his wake of a trail of broken people and halted careers and are rarely stopped because of their reputation/results. The main character, Andrew, is one of Fletcher’s latest victims, but Andrew sees Fletcher as a necessary key to greatness. Whiplash doesn’t disagree, which makes the movie truly frightening and real. While true genius exists regardless of surroundings or influences, there is some element of truth to the assertion that obstacles make you stronger, but obstacles can also ruin what could have been excellent contributions to society. Many critics of Whiplash complain that Fletcher’s antics would have hurt Fletcher as much as it hurt his students. What these critics don’t understand is that even if Fletcher faced consequences, Fletcher would rail at the incorrectness of those who judge him and never change. People like Fletcher believe that he is right regardless of whether or not he is rewarded, and there will always be enough Andrews and unseen people in power who believe in Fletcher and his methods so Fletchers will always exist. Whiplash is consensual abuse in exchange for the illusion of elusive, temporal greatness. All you have to do is sacrifice your humanity and your life.