So, in the end, was Fletcher really just the biggest asshole on the planet? Someone that genuinely just enjoyed emotionally abusing young adults? And took great pleasure in fucking over Nieman in the end? But how does that explain the VERY end right before the credits when it looked like he was happy Nieman was doing well on the drums and helping him out? I'm confused
shareFletcher starts out a psychopath and ends the movie a psychopath. He got off on torturing students for the fun of it. And got away with it until he basically killed that student and they fired him. But, that end was all about Fletcher knowing that it was Nieman who was instrumental in getting him fired and Fletcher wanted his revenge. So, he purposely sabotaged Nieman by giving him the wrong score. But, Nieman has become the same kind of psychopath that Fletcher was and rises above the situation, takes over the next song and triumphs. Fletcher at the end acknowledges that he has created someone who is the same kind of psychopath that he is and smiles. The End.
shareI just finished watching the film.
To me it was obvious that the Fletcher's entire purpose in life (as he sees it) is to push musicians to become the next great. Almost no one can meet that standard which is why he's so frustrated and abusive. Whether or not this technique actually works in real life is another matter.
If you've ever seen B.B. King play (I haven't live but I've seen videos) you'll see how the instrument appears to be an extension of himself. The music just flows naturally. That's a great musician.
Fletcher wants to create the next Charlie Parker, the next B.B. King, the next great. In the ending scene Andrew became a great drummer. Both of them achieved what they most want in life.