If you’ve got a little spare time up your sleeve this weekend, we’re making moving picking easy with these three reviews for new releases Whiplash, Fury and This Is Where I Leave You.
by Keeva Stratton
Whiplash (2014)
When a young and talented jazz drummer is selected by one of music’s great mentors, he begins a journey that will either leave him insane, or insanely brilliant.
Andrew (Miles Teller) is working hard at a selective east coast music conservatorium when he manages to get noticed by Terrence Fletcher (JK Simmons), an instructor who instils as much fear as he does brilliance in his pupils.
Fletcher pushes Andrew hard, and it’s at times abusive; but to pursue his dream Andrew is willing to do whatever it takes, even if driven to both his physical and mental edge. Andrew’s family, especially his dad, are concerned with the impact his dream is having on his health.
Andrew has isolated himself from his friends, his girlfriend and his family, as he seeks to improve his drumming. Every time he gets better, Fletcher gets harder on him, and it’s inevitable that something has got to give.
Whiplash is a film about the extremes of passion and dedication to an art form. In today’s money-driven and quick-moving world, it’s worth being reminded that true art is a lifestyle, one that will often drive the artist to the brink of madness so that others might be wowed by their performance.
The personal cost of the pursuit of brilliance is beautifully told in Whiplash. Miles Teller has once again demonstrated his maturity and talents as a young actor with a lot to offer audiences. Simmons is unflinching in his portrayal of the demanding mentor, and he is blessed with some of the most cutting yet brilliantly witty lines to deliver.
If a film about a young jazz drummer on the rise doesn’t sound appealing, we think this cleverly written and well-delivered film, that manages to hit many high notes, might just surprise you.
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Miles Teller, JK Simmons, Paul Reiser
Rating: MA15+
Runtime: 107 minutes
Release Date: 23 October
Reviewer rating: 4/5
Fury (2014)
It’s 1945, and World War II is winding its way to a painful conclusion. A group of American soldiers are charged with the task of taking control of a series of small German towns. Many of the soldiers they face are children, and having battled for so long, they have become resigned to their terrible fate.
Norman (Logan Lerman), a young draftee, is asked to join an established tank crew lead by Don (Brad Pitt). His fresh and hopeful veneer is met with a hard dose of the realities of war, and he must battle not only the enemy, but also his fellow crewmembers to earn their respect.
The tank’s name is Fury (hence the title), and we follow it through a series of deadly missions behind enemy lines. Lives are lost, horrible choices must be made and friendships are forged in the most brutal of circumstances.
Fury is a dark film. It takes up the traditional war genre where other films have left off, but rather than focus on the special effects, the enormity of its horrors or a political agenda, it presents a very gritty and sad, but immersive experience for its viewers.
It’s bleak and it’s human, presenting shocking scenes with a sense of resignation, which is what makes it interesting. It treads lightly on the patriotism and focuses more on the people, existing moment by moment in a world that feels resolutely bleak and endless in its misery.
The core cast are strong, with Pitt revelling in his role as a gritty and hardened Sergeant, and Shia LaBeouf offering a surprisingly raw and emotional performance as one of his gunners.
Fury might be a one-sided war tale, but it’s far from one-dimensional; the film succeeds in adding a new voice to a subject matter that has been tackled often. As someone who isn’t typically drawn to such a film, I was impressed. No doubt others will be also. It’s pretty bloody, so be warned if graphic violence is something you’d rather avoid.
Directed by: David Ayer
Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman
Rating: R
Runtime: 134mins
Release Date: 23 October
Reviewer rating: 4/5
This is Where I Leave You (2014)
When their father dies, siblings Wendy (Tina Fey), Judd (Jason Bateman), Paul (Cory Stoll) and Phillip (Adam Driver), whose own lives have taken different paths, return to their parents’ home to grieve.
Faced with the surprising last request that they observe the seven-day Jewish mourning tradition of Shiva, the four must spend significant time in one another’s company, as well as that of their psychologist Mum (Jane Fonda), who it seems made her career mark by writing openly about her children’s sexual maturation, and the various partners, spouses and exes along for the ride.
It’s fair to say it’s awkward, which is the intended source of humour, and it’s also warm, which accounts for the drama. As they work through their lingering issues with one another and take account of the realities they currently face—a cheating spouse, an unwanted pregnancy, an inability to conceive and generally being a failure—they find that there might be some value in reforging their bond in the aftermath of their loss.
Sibling relationships are always complex—they know you better than most, they also know how to upset you—when you add to this a mother who is happy to share your most intimate secrets with the world, what you have is chaos.
This is Where I leave You presents you with a truly dysfunctional family, attempting to function in order to be respectful to their father’s last wish. It offers a series of gags and awkward moments, romances and bromances, but none of which are done especially well.
With a cast that boasts such incredible talent, it was disappointing that this film was so underwhelming. Even the dramatic moments didn’t really feel heartfelt, leaving you with not much to engage with.
Sadly, so much potential has gone amiss here. With the funny moments few and far between, and the relationship dynamics a touch too fickle, This is Where I Leave You might be better left alone.
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Starring: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver
Rating: MA15+
Runtime: 103mins
Release Date: October 23
Reviewer rating: 2.5/5