Not Everyone's Tempo: ‘Whiplash’ (2014) with Rob Mitzner

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian are joined by drummer Rob Mitzner to begin a new episode cycle on films featuring winners of the Best Supporting Actor or Actress Oscars, with a "View-nanimous" entry on director Damien Chazelle's 2014 breakthrough film, "Whiplash." Starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, the latter of whom won the requisite Oscar, the film memorably portrays student drummer Andrew Neiman's struggle to impress his autocratic band instructor, Terence Fletcher, and the group filter their own experiences as musicians through their aptitude for cinematic detail to assess the film's spectrum of musical and emotional realism. While "Whiplash" was a hit upon release and highly lauded during awards season, it has always been polarizing among musicians, and some of those differing views are articulated in this very conversation. Plus, did anyone in the group ever have a teacher like Fletcher? Is Miles Teller's drumming accurate? And how do we interpret that unforgettable ending? 

If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!

Follow Rob Mitzner on IG @robmitznerdrums, and visit his website, robmitzner.com, to keep up with his live performances and purchase a copy of his book, "Drumming in a Band: Stuff You Can Use."

Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod

Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com

On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats.