I was really looking forward to Whiplash – I tried to catch while it was still at the movies, but it was a time of transition for me, and it was harder than I thought to grab a couple of hours (not to mention finding someone to go with me).
But once a movie is on DVD in wide release, it’s much easier to track down and carve out some time, albeit in a second-screen way. And so I didn’t bring the single-mindedness of attention to taking in the film that I was hoping. Which is a shame, as it’s a film that celebrates what can be accomplished with single-minded focus on a single task.
If scenes of an authority figure shouting at his terrified followers are upsetting to you, or you’re not a fan of swearing, you’ll want to avoid it, but if you’re a fan of drumming, good cinematography, and a riveting (and Oscar winning) performance from J.K. Simmons, then it will repay the investment of time.