Whiplash vs. Black Swan — The Anatomy of the Obsessed Artist

these were literally the most stressful movies i have ever watched

makes me so sad how many people gave Black Swan a 1 star on imdb because they were "confused"

I can’t imagine fletcher being nina's teacher. Real horror

Andrews climax during his drum solo actually signifies his ultimate sacrifice to his craft. According to the script, his dad is not astounded but defeated when he realizes that he had lost his son for good and wont get him back

I saw a comment that said “she killed herself to be immortal. She knew it was perfect. And everyone would remember it.”

Nina's final line in the film was "I was perfect" with that warm, satisfaction in her face. It was a beautiful but horrifying moment. It was also a privileged feeling knowing that we did something perfect before our last breath. We can interpret that Nina died in the ending but she had the privilege that everybody wants, to die in content and no regrets.

Here’s an interesting factoid: When the director of whiplash was asked what happened with Neiman after the movie ended he replied “Andrew probably killed himself like that other kid.”

Every time I watch whiplash's ending scene I just melt in a spiral of emotions, its truly so dark, the fear in his fathers eyes, and the realization his son is truly gone is so heartbreaking and shattering its just brilliant.

I like how both protagonists start the film in white and when they finally “kill” their old selves they are in black.

That's insane how there are so many similar shots juxtaposed against eachother. Cinematic literacy at its greatest.

What gripes me about Whiplash is how people see it’s ending as anything but tragic. Sure, Andrew got what he’s always dreamed of, to be great, but Fletcher ultimately won. His own dream to make someone great, justified his abuse, anyone who performed less was just a loser who “gave up”, and any consequences weren’t on him. Screwing Andrew over was both vengeance and another test to see if Andrew would give up again and to be forever humiliated, or prove that his abusive methods work for someone who wouldn’t “give up”. He would win either way, the latter being his dream, and the former just an excuse to say he hasn’t found “the one” yet. Andrew’s final move was to prove that he wasn’t a quitter and he could become the person he always dreamed about, I think it’s debatable to say whether he was ultimately playing for himself, or for the abuser who had been manipulating him the entire time, from beginning to the very end.

I was a classical clarinet prodigy. Black Swan and Whiplash are so real to me. I lost my mind and hurt myself badly in the process. I haven’t touched my instrument in 16 years. And never will again.

This video in itself is some excellent filmmaking

I didn't breathe when Nina turned into the Black Swan on the stage

other thing i see too much in both real life and this kind of movies: the obsessed artist's competition is ALWAYS someone who doesnt have a care in the world, someone who is just doing what theyre doing bc they have fun! they dont get nervous, dont compare themselves, they dont put the least amount of effort in their work and still succeed. its like they were born perfect. in dance moms you could see maddie being the favorite, best dancer, and she always said she wasnt nervous before performing and only competed for fun, and still won 1st almost everytime.

For anyone who liked black swan i recommend the japanese movie Perfect Blue. It was that movie wich inspired black swan and its literally mind blowing and so disturbing.

These movies are so intense, just watching this review is making me anxious all over again.

I feel like Andrew’s descent into madness was more subtle. I don’t know if that’s better or worse

The editing in this is phenomenal. Nearly felt like I was watching another perfect movie scene. The blend between Whiplash’s music and the routines in Black Swan is amazing. This video was golden.

as an artist i can say, the strive to greatness honestly isn't far off, these films are obviously dramatized but i relate to them heavily