This was an incredibly assured debut from a first-time feature film director named Damien Chazelle. A young jazz drummer (played by Miles Teller) comes under the tutelage of a harsh, sadistic master of a music teacher (JK Simmons).
It's a somewhat cliched premise (one could substitute "music teacher" with "football coach" or "drill sergeant" with minimal effort. The young man must find his way either due to or in spite of the teacher without losing his soul.
What the film does well, it does very well. The music is an integral part of the film and it drives the narrative. Simmons shows both his monstrous side as well as a more human quality. Although he is not the heart of the film, you can't take your eyes off him.
I had a couple of problems with the film. I don't think Teller was strong enough to create the right tension in the film (he was good, but in the words of Simmons' character, the "tempo wasn't quite right". The narrative also relies on a twist in the last few minutes. To believe the ending, you have to believe the action made at that point. I didn't. The plot carried through in a reasonable way, but doubts lingered about that twist.
Still, the film suggests a bright future ahead for Mr. Chazelle. Recommended.
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