Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash” and Darren Aronofsky‘s “Black Swan” are more similar than not. Both stunning, masterfully accomplishments on their own, these two awards contenders equally celebrate what YouTube video editor Lessons From the Screenplay dubs “The Obsessed Performer” in his latest video essay, “Whiplash vs. Black Swan — The Anatomy of the Obsessed Performer.” Not only do they share a similar premise, involving two performers providing the ultimate sacrifice for their art, but the ways in which these two interconnect — unbeknownst and seamlessly — to each other provides a fruitful double billing worth exploring.
READ MORE: Breaking Down The Raucous Finale Of ‘Whiplash’
From their opening shots, and the characters’ personal trials and tribulations to the ultimate surrendering for their craft, “Whiplash” and “Black Swan” share a story that’s both familiar and fresh. That comes, in part, from their screenplays, but also from their individual sense of style, which is highlighted throughout this new video. Andrew’s journey is more earthbound, whereas Nina’s transformation is a little more supernatural, yet their destinations are similar all the way to their show-stopping conclusions.
READ MORE: Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Making Of Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Black Swan’
In their desires to explore the pursuit of pure perfection in the arts, in two worlds not often seen in the cinema, “Whiplash” and “Black Swan” nearly become one in the same, even though they’re still full of differences. Editor Michael Tucker explains more thoroughly, vividly and poetically how these two make such good bedfellows in this great new video essay.