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@ Zenpai
2025-02-11 14:09:51
# **Disbelief in oneself**
Theres a scene near the opening of the movie where Terence Fletcher (JK Simmons) is yelling at one of his trombone players about being out of tune. He’s asks him ‘Do you think you’re out of tune?’ The player nervous and shook by Fletcher puts his head down and says yes. Fletcher proceeds to yelling in his face and kicking him out.
The funny thing about this scene is that the trombone player wasn’t actually out of tune, it was someone else. What Fletcher is looking for in his world class band are individuals who believe in themselves. The scene had nothing to do with being out of tune with the instrument but more so being out of tune with yourself. The trombone players every action is motivated by the energy of fear.
I believe Fletcher’s character represents the world and critics they are harsh, they don’t care about your feelings, they will attack you and if you lack belief you’ll give up and stop short or worse won’t even begin the journey at all.
The harshest critic can sometimes be oneself as displayed by the trombone player. His belief is so low Fletchers words act as reinforcement to his already low view of himself. In this way Fletcher acts a mirror to his students.
# **Belief in oneself**
Another scene i’d like to highlight is the exact opposite of the trombone scene. Near the end of the film Andrew Nieman (Miles Teller) is late for the bands show and he barges into the room a few minutes before the start. Irate, Fletcher attacks him for being late and tells him he’s losing his spot to another drummer. This is a test on Andrew to see how he reacts, will he crumble and fall like the trombone player?
Andrews response displays an individual with unwavering belief in his abilities he tells fletcher in essence ‘fuck off its my part’. No matter how much Fletcher attacks his skill and character, Andrew doesn’t care he’s willing to stand on his ability and not let the noise bother him.
This scene to me symbolizes the epitome of confidence. Throughout the movie Fletcher is downplaying Andrew and his skill. He tells him he’s not good enough, his skills aren’t sharp. What he was doing wasn’t pushing Andrew to practice more and get better, he was pushing him to believe in his own power and greatness.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”.
# **Links to the clips**
Trombone clip: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0yL-avlEsg>
Andrew loses spot clip: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OxTIpMSkpw>