Whiplash (2014): Narrative Analysis

The trailer begins by showing the audience the exposition stage of the narrative for the film. From the trailer, the audience can see that the main character is a college student living in New York. His regular life is hinted at through the allusion to his girlfriend and university life. It mentions "the best music school in the country" which hints at his love and passion for music - though this isn't directly shown until the complication stage. The change in narrative to the development stage is signified by a change in music - to a more upbeat, orchestral jazz sequence. 

The development stage of the narrative begins with the boy saying that he isn't the best. This suggests that he is pushing himself within his musical career in order to make himself better than he already is. It hints at the work he it putting in and the work he feels he needs to really earn and keep his spot at the music school. 

The complication stage shows an insight into his college education, with the introduction of his professor. The audience soon realise that the professor seems unstable, through the shots of him screaming and throwing things across the room at students, specifically at the main character of the film. This shows to the audience that this pressure is most likely the reason for him not thinking he is the best and makes them feel sorry for him due to his treatment from the professor.

The fast paced clips at the end, whilst the slow drum beat gets slowly faster, hints at a possible future climax stage of the narrative between the boy and the professor. This, however, is only alluded to and the audience don't get a specific insight into when and where this happens, creating enigmas about their relationship. 

The resolution stage is also not mentioned in the trailer. Although the audience know that it will be there, they can only wonder about what might happen or if the film will follow this structure. This creates enigmas about the whole story as the audience are left wondering about how the story will end.