Jazz Band - Tumblr Posts
Imagine having to wake up early for a completely optional band because they didn't have enough members. Plus learning a new instrument. Couldn't be me.
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!!!SPOILERS FOR WHIPLASH (2014)!!!
Tw//Mentions of abuse (not specified or detailed) The ending to Whiplash was not a happy one and here is why I think so. Fletcher is a character that is in fact an antagonist despite the motives he reveals in the café after Andrew anonymously sues him. Fletcher only does these break down and build up techniques so he can have a living, walking, breathing, jazz-playing trophy. He wanted to have a legacy that would live long after him. He wanted his players to be remembered so that he would be remembered. Wanting to be remembered is valid and all. But Fletcher drives his players to the brink. To the edge. And he does it using some pretty intense manipulation. Fletcher, as he did before, manipulated Andrew yet again. After exiting the café he invited Andrew to the next performance. He knew that Andrew couldn't resist the temptation after Fletcher implied that he needed Andrew. Just like when Andrew first joined the band, Fletcher gave him soft and gentle encouragement. He gave him a gentle nudge of confidence. These little nudges of confidence were to establish an initial trust. Fletcher needed Andrew to trust him and become attached before he could use his typical aggressive tactics. Now, when inviting Andrew, Fletcher only told him about the songs Caravan and Whiplash. Andrew had no idea that the set would start with another song. This is the cymbal to the head. Fletcher embarrasses Andrew in front of an entire auditorium. This is step one of Fletcher's process. He knows Andrew is great but he needs to make sure that Andrew will still push on no matter what. He needs to be sure Andrew has the character for the player he wants. Andrew leaves the stage where he's met by his father. Andrew refuses his fathers attempt at consoling him. He falls into Fletcher's ideology of "good job" being bad. From this point on Andrew is in the headspace that he has to do good and he has to impress Fletcher. He is no longer playing for fun for an audience. He's craving Fletcher's approval. Even in the end, Andrew isn't proud of his accomplishment until Fletcher smiles and lets him know that he approves. Without even realizing, Andrew let Fletcher know that he is dependent on him for approval and validation again. This is the practice and the return. Fletcher has Andrew where he wants him. Fletcher, the abuser, has his greatest prize back in his grasp. He knows Andrew is a good player and now he knows that Andrew has the personality that he wants in his star player. This is the redemption. With all of this in mind, Whiplash does not have a happy ending. The antagonist, the abuser, gets what he wants. No matter how much it seems Andrew got what he wanted (to play and be great), in reality he got sucked back into the abusive cycle. Andrew may never end up truly happy. Most likely, with abusive Fletcher over his shoulder, Andrew will fall down the rabbit hole of the music industry. ----- Sorry for the long post! Feel free to challenge my analysis in the comments! I only watched the movie once and I typed this up on a whim so it likely has some holes in it. I probably could have written it up/worded it better