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This wall poster flashes behind Miles Teller at the music school. Glad they think that way--it explains a lot.Well, after I came out into the light of day I felt a strong urge for a drink. This is NOT a peaceful, Zen-type movie. No, it's more like the Lee Ermey of band directors dishing out Paris Island Horrorshow music education to cowed, doe-eyed aspirants. Teller catches the ear of J K Simmons who invites him for a sit-in with his academy studio band. Hence, an unholy marriage made in musical hell.
Simmons has a deviant, cruel, perfectionist style that is merciless but necessary for the success of his students--so he thinks. Teller (only 19 in the film) wants to be a legendary jazz great and barely gets into the school where Simmons teaches.
After many ups and downs we get to the final act which tested my nerves worse than anything I can remember of late. It becomes a battle between a young man who performs his swan song to an esteemed audience and his nemesis who will not ever give up pushing.
J K Simmons owns this one. One of those "born to play" roles that demands his looks and timbre. Teller isn't bad and the side characters are good but just random embellishments in between drumming and screaming.
Simmons reminded me why I never learned an instrument. Our junior high band director was known to scream and throw drum sticks and that was too much for my delicate sensitivities. Big Band is a cruel and temperamental world, I suppose.
Anyone who has played will pretty much get off on this film. Good luck to JK as this should be his time.
Edits: 01/24/15Follow Ups:
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