The road to greatness can take you to the edge

Starring: Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons, Melisssa Benoist, Paul Reiser, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Chris Mulkey, Damon Gupton, Suanne Spoke, Max Kasch

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I was there to push people beyond what's expected of them. I believe that is... an absolute necessity. Otherwise, we're depriving the world of the next Louis Armstrong. The next Charlie Parker." – Terence Fletcher

Why watch this? How many roads are there to perfection? What is the cost to bring it out?

Plot Summary: College student and drummer Andrew Neiman desires to be the best, like Buddy Rich-best. Shaffer Conservatory in NYC is prestigious and Andrew is recruited into a Studio jazz ensemble. On the path to core drummer, he (an many players) must endure harsh verbal and physical abuse at the hands of the conductor, Terence Fletcher. It quickly becomes a test of wills pitting the boy's determination to be great against a teacher's unreasonable requirements for perfection.

Dad's Preview: At the heart of this intense psychological drama is the question: "How much is too much, when expecting true greatness?" Can a teacher berate and verbally abuse a student to bring out their best? I've never winced so much watching a film. J. K. Simmon's Oscar-winning performance seethes like open wound... but he drives the plot.  This superb film's final segment is unforgettable.

Bold Films, Blumhouse Prod., Right of Way Films; Sony Pictures Classics