Interview: Miles Teller, Paul Reiser, and Damien Chazelle Talk 'Whiplash'

Right now it's really good to be Miles Teller. He's been dubbed the next big thing at two consecutive Sundance Film Festivals, starting with last year's powerful teen romance, The Spectacular Now, for which he and Shailene Woodley shared dramatic acting awards. This year he came back swinging in Whiplash, playing a jazz drumming protege at the mercy of his ruthless instructor, played by J.K. Simmons. And since then, things have only gotten better with major roles in Fantastic Four and the boxing biopic, Bleed for This.

In my opinion, it'll be Whiplash that pushes him to the next level. He gives a commanding, physical performance and the intense interactions he has with Simmons are amazing. I had a chance to take part in a roundtable interview with Teller, co-stars Paul Reiser and Austin Stowell, and writer/director Damien Chazelle about Whiplash. Sine first seeing the film at Sundance I've been expecting that it would be a fall season powerhouse, but often the gap of time in-between causes the festival buzz to die out. That hasn't happened in this case and the anticipation for it has only gotten greater. Check out the interview below, and my review of Whiplash here.

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Review: 'Whiplash' starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons

 NOTE: This is an edited reprint of my review from the Sundance Film Festival. Whiplash opens on Oct. 10th.

The story goes that in 1937 legendary saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker, at the ripe young age of 16, dared to improvise while in a jam with drummer Jo Jones. At first his ambitious gamble seemed to pay off, but Parker got ahead of himself and lost the beat, causing Jones to hurl a cymbal at him. Rather than discouraging him, Parker left the club saying "I'll be back", and after a year of intense practice he returned and the rest is jazz music history. That story of Parker's perseverance is the engine that drives Whiplash, a film that has affectionately been called "Full Metal Jacket at Juilliard". It's a nickname that fits.

Miles Teller, who scored at last year's Sundance with The Spectacular Now, returns to Park City in his most physically demanding role yet as Andrew, a first-year student at a prominent New York City conservatory. He has a dream of not only being a great jazz drummer, but the greatest drummer ever, and when we meet him he's practicing late into the night. That's when he catches the eye of Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), the school's tough-as-shoe leather instructor. Andrew wants a spot on Fletcher's top notch jazz ensemble, a place where careers can be made.

Taping up his fingers like a boxer tapes his fists; Andrew works his hands to the bloody bone to gain Fletcher's favor. Gaining a spot on his team thanks to Fletcher's mind games, Andrew comes to learn that he can lose his spot just as easily. Enduring incredible physical and mental abuse at Fletcher's hands, Andrew is put through a brutal baptism by fire. To be the best he'll have to endure the worst, or be just another one of the many who have crumbled when pushed beyond their limits. At the same time, Andrew must contend with a skeptical father (Paul Reiser), a family that doesn't respect his career, and a girlfriend who may be too much of a distraction. If he's ever going to be one of the greats, like his idol Buddy Rich, there can be no outside life. There can only be the drums; there can only be the type of dedication that drove Charlie Parker, whose story is repeated often by Fletcher as a motivating tool. When he's not berating his pupils, that is.

Whiplash has had quite the journey to the big screen, beginning as a Black List script by writer/director Damien Chazelle, that was turned into a short film that took home the Jury Award at last year's Sundance. The feature version plays with your emotions like a conductor leading his band, steering away from the typical "overcoming the odds" crowd-pleaser. Chazelle never sticks to the sheet music, adding a moral quandary that threatens the already-tense relationship between mentor and student.

Playing the drums has never been depicted quite like this, showing just how physically demanding it can be. Dripping with sweat, muscles quivering with every strike; if Teller didn't do all the drumming himself it would be a shock, that's how convincing he is. Andrew's motivations are a little underdeveloped, but Teller is given plenty to work evolving from fresh-faced newbie to someone who can master the incredible pacing required for a jazz drummer. Simmons hasn't had a role this good in a very long time, and it's easy to forget just how intimidating he can be when in full a--hole mode. It's too early to start talking about Oscars and things of that nature, but it's safe to say that Teller and Simmons are in top form.

A number of classic jazz standards (you'll be hearing "Whiplash" in your head for hours after) make for a rousing soundtrack fans of the genre will be dying for, and the film moves at a brisk rhythm Count Basie would be proud of. Whiplash begins and ends on a high note, building to an exciting, brilliantly executed moment that will have audiences cheering and begging for an encore.

 Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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Neil Armstrong Biopic takes Giant Leap with 'Whiplash' Director Damien Chazelle

The time is right now for Whiplash director, Damien Chazelle. His jazz drumming film was the star of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and has sustained through to next month's release. Now Chazelle, who looks like he is 12 years old by the way, is one of the most talked about directors in Hollywood with new projects coming his way. He's set up to helm La La Land with Whiplash star Miles Teller and Emma Watson, and now he's landed a biopic on astronaut Neil Armstrong.

THR reports Chazelle is negotiating to direct First Man, about  the first man ever to step foot on the moon. Josh Singer, who penned the underwhelming Wikileaks thriller The Fifth Estate, is writing the script based on James Hansen's book, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong. The project has been kicking around for years but adding a red-hot talent like Chazelle should be enough to get it off the ground once and for all.

La La Land will take priority for Chazelle with First Man to follow. Whiplash will be in theaters on October 10th.

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Miles Teller Finds the Rhythm in New Trailer for 'Whiplash'

The last major studio film of the summer came and went last week with Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, and now it's time to turn our attention to the fall and the potential awards favorites. It's also a time when many of the most lauded films from Sundance begin to emerge, and one of those is Whiplash, which won both the Audience and Grand Jury drama awards at the festival while earning raves for stars Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons.

A new international trailer for the jazz drumming film has been released and it reveals exactly why many have dubbed it Giulliard's Full Metal Jacket. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film stars Teller as a jazz drummer with aspirations of greatness, but finds his mettle tested by his terrorizing instructor at a prestigious New York academy. A definite crowd-pleaser with two powerful lead performances, the film is one I expect to make a lot of noise when it opens, which is why I'm quoted on the movie's poster saying "Whiplash will have audiences cheering and begging for an encore." Believe that.

Also starring Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, and Austin Stowell, Whiplash opens October 10th. Check out my interview with the cast here.


Whiplash International TRAILER 1 (2014) - Miles Teller Drama [HD] by MovieTrailerz

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J.K. Simmons Demands Perfection from Miles Teller in Trailer for 'Whiplash'

Here's the thing about Damien Chazelle's Sundance hit, Whiplash: it's about jazz drumming. Excited? Probably not, and that was one of the core issues the young writer/director had to face when developing this story about a drumming prodigy and his mentor. The music doesn't immediately lend itself to the cinematic experience. So what was the solution he landed upon? First he gave much of the music more of an upbeat edge, like with the central track, Bob Ellis' "Whiplash"; he crafted a true underdog story audiences can related to; and finally the casting of Miles Teller and JK Simmons in the most dynamic performances of their careers.

All of these factors are prevalent in the first Whiplash trailer, which should give you an idea why many say it was the breakout film in Park City. Teller plays Andrew, a first-year student at a prestigious NYC conservatory, with dreams of being the greatest jazz drummer ever. But to do it he'll have to survive tough-as-leather instructor Terence Fletcher (Simmons) and the perfection he demands of his students. The "Full Metal Jacket at Juilliard" descriptors are more than accurate, but also is the praise heaped on Teller and Simmons. Teller played his own drums throughout and his performance is one I compared to the physical demands of athletes. Obviously, you get the idea this is a personal favorite of mine. It's certainly a crowd pleaser and "will have audiences cheering and begging for an encore."

Whiplash hits theaters on October 10th, and I'm calling it now that Simmons is going to get a Best Supporting Actor nomination out of it. If you're interested in more, check out my interview with Chazelle, Teller, and the rest of Whiplash's cast.

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Emma Watson and Miles Teller Head to 'La La Land' for Damien Chazelle

While there are plenty of stand-out films that emerge from Sundance each year, there are few that can boast winning awards as a short, then taking home both the Audience and Jury awards as a feature. Damien Chazelle's jazz drummer film Whiplash is one that has earned those accolades, winning raves not only for himself but star Miles Teller. And with their partnership off to such a good start the two are looking to work together again on another music-themed film, only this time with a huge star in tow.

Teller and Emma Watson are in talks to star in La La Land, a two-hander described as a song-and-dance romance about two dreamers, one an aspiring actress and the other a cocky jazz pianist, who fall in love but find it difficult to find a love/art balance in cutthroat Los Angeles. Chazelle will pen the screenplay, aiming to tell a story about " big dreams, the big city and the kind of love that makes life feel like a musical."

Production on La La Land wouldn't begin until next February, giving Teller time to wrap up Fantastic Four, Insurgent, and the Vinny Pazienza biopic, Bleed for This. Watson will be seen next in Regression opposite Ethan Hawke.  [TheWrap]

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Miles Teller Can't Get the Rhythm in First 'Whiplash' Clip

What those who have never picked up a pair of drum sticks can't possibly know is how grueling being a drummer can be. It's a physical and mental endurance test that also requires incredible amounts of timing and synchronicity with the rest of the band. If the drummer screws up then the whole thing is thrown off. Writer/director Damien Chazelle captures just how taxing it can be as a drummer in his debut feature, Whiplash, and now we finally have the very first clip.

Miles Teller stars in the feature version of Chazelle's Sunance Award-winning short film, playing a drumming prodigy under the tutelage of a drill instructor-like mentor played by JK Simmons. In this scene we see that Teller's character just can't get anything to perfection, he's either rushing or dragging, and soon Simmons' frustration reaches Bobby Knight levels.

This was the very first film I saw at Sundance and it was also one of the best, which is why it won the Audience and Grand Jury awards at the festival.  Whiplash opens October 14th. Check out the clip below, and also my interview with the cast and director here.

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Watch: Miles Teller, Paul Reiser, Damien Chazelle Talk 'Whiplash'

Right now it's really good to be Miles Teller. He's been dubbed the next big thing at two consecutive Sundance Film Festivals, starting with last year's powerful teen romance, The Spectacular Now, for which he and Shailene Woodley shared dramatic acting awards. This year he came back swinging in Whiplash, playing a jazz drumming protege at the mercy of his ruthless instructor, played by J.K. Simmons. And since then, things have only gotten better with major roles in Fantastic Four and the boxing biopic, Bleed for This.

In my opinion, it'll be Whiplash that pushes him to the next level. He gives a commanding, physical performance and the intense interactions he has with Simmons are amazing. While at Sundance, I had a chance to take part in a roundtable interview with Teller, co-stars Paul Reiser and Austin Stowell, and writer/director Damien Chazelle about Whiplash. The interview aired some weeks ago as part of my show, Cinema Royale, but now it's available for you to watch online.

Look for Whiplash to hit theaters later this year as Sony Pictures Classics has picked it up for distribution.

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Sundance Review: 'Whiplash' Starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons

The story goes that in 1937 legendary saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker, at the ripe young age of 16, dared to improvise while in a jam with drummer Jo Jones. At first his ambitious gamble seemed to pay off, but Parker got ahead of himself and lost the beat, causing Jones to hurl a cymbal at him. Rather than discouraging him, Parker left the club saying "I'll be back", and after a year of intense practice he returned and the rest is jazz music history. That story of Parker's perseverance is the engine that drives Whiplash, a film that has affectionately been called "Full Metal Jacket at Juilliard". It's a nickname that fits.

Miles Teller, who scored at last year's Sundance with The Spectacular Now, returns to Park City in his most physically demanding role yet as Andrew, a first-year student at a prominent New York City conservatory. He has a dream of not only being a great jazz drummer, but the greatest drummer ever, and when we meet him he's practicing late into the night. That's when he catches the eye of Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), the school's tough-as-shoe leather instructor. Andrew wants a spot on Fletcher's top notch jazz ensemble, a place where careers can be made.

Taping up his fingers like a boxer tapes his fists, Andrew works his hands to the bloody bone to gain Fletcher's favor. Gaining a spot on his team thanks to Fletcher's mind games, Andrew comes to learn that he can lose his spot just as easily. Enduring incredible physical and mental abuse at Fletcher's hands, Andrew is put through a brutal baptism by fire. To be the best he'll have to endure the worst, or be just another one of the many who have crumbled when pushed beyond their limits. At the same time, Andrew must contend with a skeptical father (Paul Reiser), a family that doesn't respect his career, and a girlfriend who may be too much of a distraction. If he's ever going to be one of the greats, like his idol Buddy Rich, there can be no outside life. There can only be the drums; there can only be the type of dedication that drove Charlie Parker, whose story is repeated often by Fletcher as a motivating tool. When he's not berating his pupils, that is.

Whiplash has had quite the journey to the big screen, beginning as a Black List script by writer/director Damien Chazelle, that was turned into a short film that took home the Jury Award at last year's Sundance. The feature version plays with your emotions like a conductor leading his band, steering away from the typical "overcoming the odds" crowd-pleaser. Chazelle never sticks to the sheet music, adding a moral quandary that threatens the already-tense relationship between mentor and student.

Playing the drums has never been depicted quite like this, showing just how physically demanding it can be. Dripping with sweat, muscles quivering with every strike; if Teller didn't do all the drumming himself it would be a shock, that's how convincing he is. Andrew's motivations are a little underdeveloped, but Teller is given plenty to work evolving from fresh-faced newbie to someone who can master the incredible pacing required for a jazz drummer. Simmons hasn't had a role this good in a very long time, and it's easy to forget just how intimidating he can be when in full a--hole mode. It's too early to start talking about Oscars and things of that nature, but it's safe to say that Teller and Simmons are in top form.

A number of classic jazz standards (you'll be hearing "Whiplash" in your head for hours after) make for a rousing soundtrack fans of the genre will be dying for, and the film moves at a brisk rhythm Count Basie would be proud of. Whiplash begins and ends on a high note, building to an exciting, brilliantly executed moment that will have audiences cheering and begging for an encore.

Read More