Whiplash · written by Damien Chazelle · 2014

Andrew watches Fletcher play piano, but leaves when Fletcher recognizes him.

Scene 97 of 117 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Drummer
Fletcher
Andrew

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:27 into a 1:54 film

The story so farBefore scene 97

A young jazz drummer pursues a place among the country’s best, pushing himself toward greatness under the control of a brilliant, abusive instructor.

Scenes 1–6
Andrew lives inside solitary practice, family movie nights, and an ideal of greatness learned from jazz legends.
Scenes 7–13
Shaffer's hierarchy makes Andrew doubt his prospects, while he wants a chance to become an exceptional drummer.
Scenes 14–17
Fletcher draws Andrew back from transferring, and Andrew enters Studio Band while beginning a relationship with Nicole.
Scenes 18–48
Andrew learns Fletcher's brutal rules, competes for status, and tries to survive the first rehearsals.
Scenes 49–50
Andrew plays Whiplash from memory and helps Shaffer win the competition, gaining the core position he wanted.
Scenes 51–85
He pays through isolation, injury, and public failure as Fletcher's tests consume his relationships and safety.
Scene 89
Andrew agrees to testify against Fletcher, believing his musical life is over and accepting his father's intervention.
Just before
Scene 94
Andrew works quietly at a sandwich shop, handing a customer his order.
Scene 95
Andrew sits apart from his family as they watch hockey, mentally distant from their conversation.
Scene 96
Andrew spots Fletcher's name on a jazz-club sign and turns back to enter.
Scene 97
This scene

97INT. JAZZ CLUB - MOMENTS LATER

...and steps inside. It’s a genteel venue. On the stage, BASS, DRUMS, BONGOS -- and, at the piano, FLETCHER.

The mere sight gets Andrew’s pulse racing. But he stays put. Watches... The quartet is pacing its way through FLETCHER’S SONG IN CLUB, and Fletcher is playing the final head. He’s exceedingly delicate, gentle with each keystroke, his fingers moving like ballerinas. His playing is soft, subtle, and exquisite. He plays the melody as though moved by it.

Andrew is surprised by this... Stays in the back, behind the last table. The song comes to a close. Fletcher smiles, looks -- and then freezes. His eyes locked on Andrew. He has seen him.

Andrew blanches, takes a step back, hurries for the exit. But there’s a PERSON blocking the way. Tries to squeeze through--

DRUMMER (O.S.)

That was Terence Fletcher, on the keys...

More applause. Andrew, hemmed in, keeps trying to get out--

FLETCHER

Neiman.

Andrew stops. Turns. Fletcher is standing right there. A moment of silence. Andrew is pale. But Fletcher’s face is a blank.

ANDREW

...Hi...

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