I could rave about this film for hours. It’s Raging Bull and Full Metal Jacket and drums, a film about obsession for music lovers, made by music lovers obsessed by film. That they made this in 10 weeks blows by mind. Simmons and Teller are electrifying.
But mostly, it’s just that this is the most violent film about music you’ll ever see in your life. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever seen.
I wonder if Damien Chazelle lies awake at night and thinks about this movie. It’s his finest achievement. He’s not stupid; he must know it. Does he want to top it? Where did this edge go? When did he become obsessed with formalism? When will he let loose and get jazzy again? Does he have anything left to prove?
I think about that, and then I suddenly think about my creative work. My own musicianship, my own creative work. I’ve been working as a designer for 10 years. Have I peaked? Did I peak? Would I notice if I had? Where has my creative edge gone? Am I just pushing rectangles now?
Do I have anything left to prove?