So, in the end, was Fletcher really just the biggest asshole on the planet? Someone that genuinely just enjoyed emotionally abusing young adults? And took great pleasure in fucking over Nieman in the end? But how does that explain the VERY end right before the credits when it looked like he was happy Nieman was doing well on the drums and helping him out? I'm confused
shareHe probably gives himself credit for his performance at the end. He was proud.
Watch this scene again to understand what he thinks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6lFs5gbv_k
Yeah when watching that scene I was like hmmm ok Fletcher isn't an asshole and he really was just tryna make good musicians. But then he completely fucks Nieman over by switching the song onstage and making him look completely awful. Then Nieman comes BACK onstage and Fletcher is visibly MAD. Like if Fletcher wanted to help Nieman that whole time, wouldn't he be HAPPY when he first came back on stage? Instead he's like really pissed off at first but then happy at the very very end, and it was such a confusing ending, didn't know whether to hate Fletcher or admire his genius.
shareYeah, I agree with you. I guess he did feel animosity towards Neiman still, but yeah, right at the end he's proud. The film kind of goes with that ending because it's interesting, I don't think it's telling you that such methods are worth it.
And yeah, Fletcher is definitely an asshole, haha. Jazz is not about competition. Lots of historic jazz records have mistakes in them, but it's part of the fun to see the way the players adapt.
Fletcher was mad and is definitely a horrible person. (I'd argue Nieman is not really a great person, either...) Fletcher was angry that Nieman, one of his star pupils and proteges, betrayed him. That's why he screws with him at the concert and switches the song up. It's a power-play and revenge. When Nieman leaves, Fletcher has won.
Then, Nieman returns. Fletcher's victory is snatched away. Nieman's getting up for another round of bareknuckle boxing through jazz. This angers Fletcher. Nieman then asserts himself, calling the song ("I'll cue you in!") and forcing Fletcher to roll with it (jazz!) and take a dose of his own medicine. At the same time, this shows that Nieman is (1) willing to take heavy blows and not give up (very valued to Fletcher), and (2) Nieman is asserting himself as an artist in his own right (also very admired, respected, and lauded by Fletcher).
The result is that Fletcher, perhaps begrudgingly, forgives Nieman for screwing him over. Why? Because in that moment, they're not petty, angry, jerks, dictators, traitors, and whiners: they're jazz musicians and all that matters is the art.
This moment happens when Fletcher is right in Nieman's face, conducting him, bringing him in, them playing off each other. Watch Simmons' performance as Fletcher rights Nieman's cymbal for him! It's incredible stuff.
It makes the climax not about "Will Andrew 'win' the performance and get a prize?" but about, "What will happen between Fletcher and Andrew?" which is character-driven and more rewarding. It's the big reason why this climax is 1,000x better than almost any other sports/music movie where "the big game/concert" is the finale. Because most other movies like this make their climax about winning or losing: a coin toss outcome of a pre-scripted event. It's not fun.
This is. This is character dynamics and it's THRILLING.
Fletcher finally witnessed that thing he referenced earlier.
They both found what they were looking for. Greatness was born in that crucible at that moment.
The cliche would be for him to succeed then reject Fletcher but that's not what happened.
Nieman had rejected the mediocre existence he associates with his father instead.
What I take from it is that Fletcher is a vindictive asshole who also pushes his students to the limit in order to get them to achieve greatness. I very much doubt that Fletcher had planned on Nieman coming back on stage after being humiliated and blowing everyone away with his drumming, because he'd pretty much have to see into the future to do that or have unbelievable mind reading skills. I guess it may have still been a ploy to push Nieman on as a musician outside of that concert from that point onwards, but I also think that's a stretch of believability. It's somewhat ambiguous though.
At that moment I think Fletcher was genuinely trying to get back at Nieman, and it turned out he got more than he bargained for when Nieman came back on and did his thing. Nieman managed to turn the tables and reach a standard in himself that Fletcher was always trying to bring out from the start, so his contempt for Nieman was soon replaced by pride and respect for Nieman that he's finally reached a very special level.
1. Fletcher may have taken some sort of pleasure emotionally abusing young adults, but from the conversation at the restaurant with Andrew, he seems to truly believe he is teaching the best way possible so his students can excel as much as possible.
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2. Fletcher was happy in the end because nothing phased Nieman in the end. He didn't walk away or get discouraged, which is the sign of a true artist, one of the greats. Fletcher felt like he accomplished what he set out to do...breaking down an amateur so they strive to become the best of the best.
Nieman earned his respect. Fletcher realized Nieman had it.
shareI think Fletcher would have also been happy if Nieman gave up and was just miserable for the rest of his life.
shareI would say less happy. As a teacher, even with his questionable means of motivating his pupils (encouraging them by discouraging them), I think he would take more pleasure from creating a career than destroying one. That's been his ultimate goal from the start.
shareThe ending of "Whiplash" is left to personal interpretation. I took it as Andrew, even after all the two of them had been through, still wanted Fletcher's approval - this is why he smiles, he thinks he's gotten it. For Fletcher, I took it as he finally found his Charlie Parker - plus Fletcher knew he was the one that turned the coal into a diamond so to speak - so he smiled in satisfaction.
shareRemember early in the movie when Fletcher told Neiman the story of Charlie Parker getting a cymbal thrown at his head and suggested it was the impetus behind Charlie Parker putting in the work to become great? Well Fletcher figuratively threw a cymbal at Neiman's head, and instead of wilting, he rose above it to become a great jazz drummer and it gave Fletcher satisfaction to see that.
What’s really confusing is why his ex-girlfriend didn’t show up to witness HISTORY! I mean what a performance! Andrew even offered her pizza afterwards, but she had some lame excuse about asking her boyfriend first. What a stupid bitch she turned out to be.
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