Film appreciation

Whiplash
Andrew is a determined young musician, and after winning a place
at a prestigious New York music school he focuses on rising above
his peers and mastering his craft. An invitation from renowned
musical director Terence Fletcher to join the school’s elite jazz
ensemble therefore seems a dream come true. However, Andrew
soon discovers that the formidable tutor lives up to his reputation
and he finds himself struggling with Fletcher’s exacting standards
and brutal teaching methods. Andrew's passion to achieve
perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher
continues to push him to the brink of both his ability and his sanity.

 Analysis of the narrative-

Considering the slimness of the plot and the familiar chorus of the
narrative it’s interesting how inventive this conspires to be. Chazelle
plays a similar theme here, with beats becoming a matter of life and
death. The psychological battle and the emotional turmoil that
follows. I've never been so compelled in a drama ever. The internal
struggle in Andrew is excellently conveyed, you can see his passion
seeping through the blood, sweat and tears and yet mentally unable
to cope with Fletcher's methods. A simple story, but executed with
such intelligence that it just feels fresh. The pair’s obsessive pursuit
of perfection forms the basis of a tense, destructive relationship that
tests the limits of both men but is nonetheless exhilarating to watch

 Cinematic elements-
The film is refreshing with its sharp atmosphere, but it's so rich in
emotion, psychological tension and personal subtext. It neither
rushes nor drags, on paper nor on screen. It really is a film that
lingers in your mind for days
  Cinematography-
The cinematography of the film is very good showing the tense
atmosphere when Fletcher is angry at people for not playing
properly and also how the camera moves to closeup when
Andrew taking more interest in Nicole. The technical aspects of the
film help it become so stimulating with closeups tightly edited
together and it’s the orange tinted cinematography. It's impressive
that the film was shot in only 19 days for them to get shots so
perfectly timed and performed with all those complicated
movements. Damien Chazelle ideas are clean with
cinematographer Sharone Meir’s energetic camera performing
visual as it sweeps around the rehearsal rooms

 Editing-

The soft parts of Whiplash are edited in a tradition style like the
scene between Andrew, the jazz drummer and Nicole who is his
girlfriend in half of the scene, the camera goes from medium to
closeup shots. Editor Tom Cross cuts of Frank Mazzola or Jerry
Greenberg gives the film its constant energy and perfectly
complements the sound editing that gives it an endlessly beat
making the film pop. Quick cuts between the musical instruments
and nice long takes of Miles Teller and J.K Simmons duelling in
anger are also very well done. 

 Sound design-
A mixture of dialogue, sound effects, and music are brought
together to produce a back drop that lends to its particular story.   
Terrence constantly abuses his drummers for rushing, dragging and
generally not being on his tempo, so the extremely tense build-up of
harmony that leads to his perfect timeliness is quite a fitting
introduction to the character that also establishes the theme of
musical timing. Without seeing the film, an audience would know the
dramatic and sometimes eerie mood by hearing the sounds of the
film alone.

 Complete package-
The films touch on subjects like, abuse, authority and purpose, it
also merges genres making this film a music-based drama. I was
not expecting a film based on such a specific subject, drumming, to
be as intense as it was with so many different themes. the story
asks us to consider whether the abuse that we witness is necessary
in order to attain greatness

The Girl with a Pearl Earring

This film, adapted from a work of fiction by author Tracy Chevalier,
tells a story about the events surrounding the creation of the
painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by 17th century Dutch master
Johannes Vermeer. Little is known about the girl in the painting, it is
speculated that she was a maid who lived in the house of the
painter along with his family and other servants, though there is no
historical evidence. This masterful film attempts to recreate the
mysterious girl's life. Griet, played by Scarlett Johansson, is a maid
in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer, played by British actor
Colin Firth. Vermeer's wealthy patron and sole means of support,
Van Ruijven, commissions him to paint Griet with the intent that he
will have her for himself before it is finished. She must somehow
secretly pose for the crucial painting without the knowledge of
Vermeer's wife, avoid Van Ruijven's grasp, and protect herself from
the cruel gossip of the world of a 17th century servant.
  Analysis of the narrative-
We are taken into a brief era in Vermeer's life in 17th century. Much
of the film's premise is true. Director Peter Webber recreates every
element of that world in loving detail, right down to his choice of
actress Scarlett Johansson, who is a dead ringer for the model in
the original portrait. The story is not an upbeat one, yet not
depressing either. the film is about the unspoken feelings between
two people of very different stature which may or may not be
forever cast in the pigments of the masterpiece It is unique because
of its specific Dutch technique and style. The romantic moments
between artist and subject are admirably restrained it felt like there
was much more to know about them as a person. there a tension
that builds throughout the film leaving wondering what bad thing is
about to happen.

 Cinematic elements-
The film is breath-taking alone in the fact that the production team,
led by cinematographer Eduardo Serra and art director Christina
Shaeffer, manages to capture Vermeer's, oil-based colours, and
light into every scene. Every scene looked like a painting and they
perfectly captured Vermeer's light. Vermeer used his specific
techniques such as blue and yellow to focus colours
 Cinematography-
The movie did a fantastic job of recreating 17th century
Netherlands. the movie is constructed from 17th century paintings,
of Vermeer. The entire movie is a "cinematic painting," but not just
because it is a movie about the beauty of one painting, but because
it is a movie entirely constructed from paintings. It was really
incredible how precise everything is. Lighting, placement of figures.
This film could not be more stunning. Thanks to luminous
cinematography, the audience watching this film feels almost as if it
has been transported into a Vermeer work. the cameras stay on
subject longer than normal, affording the viewer time to really soak
it up. Vermeer (Colin Firth) spends a lot of time in this film standing
quietly in the shadows and peeking around corners in many of
these shots his body is often half-covered, half-exposed,
representing that he must have being in conflict with his, artistic
side

 Sound design-
The music was beautiful and gave off a Dutch feeling of the 17th
century. Alexandre Desplat's score also captures the lyrical,
haunting tenderness of the subject matter. It also creates a
captivating atmosphere of emotion it really captures the heart of the
story.

 Complete package-
Even if the story is not grounded in fact, or is based on little fact, the
story of how Vermeer's painting, The Girl with a Pearl Earring came
to be is one that presents a little mystery and romance to a painting.
You can find something to appreciate it, beyond just consideration
of the artistic elements of lighting or colouring, etc. art is always
more fun with an intriguing story behind it Griet looked so much like
Vermeer's original painting that I thought in a moment that this was
real 

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