Movie Review - The Whale

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Samantha Morton, Ty Simpkins
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 20: A MOVIE THAT MAKES PEOPLE CRY
 
Description: A reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher (Brendan Fraser) attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter (Sadie Sink).

Review: Charlie is obese and, due to deteriorating health, wants to make one more attempt to make amends with his estranged daughter Ellie. He is severely obese and can barely move around his own house. As a result, “The Whale” plays out only within these enclosed walls.

Brendan Fraser gives “The Whale” a heart and soul. He needs to be in the middle and knows exactly how to hit that spot, making his acting even more impressive. Indeed, it’s difficult to look at Charlie: he is dirty, sweaty, severely obese and he goes on eating unhealthy food. This makes it somewhat difficult to elicit sympathy for him. Because how can you sympathize with a man who won’t let himself be helped?

The film balances this by, on the other hand, providing Charlie with a good character. Someone who sees the positive in you and wants to help other people as far as is still possible in his situation. Because of his poor health, he wants one mor chance to make amends with his estranged daughter Ellie. Director Darren Aronofsky gives Ellie anger and pain and that comes from a place of frustration and disbelief; slowly she must realize that her father does not have long to live. Their dialogues together are vulnerable and the of the film is abrupt. Yet this works.

“The Whale” works because the film deals with this intense subject unbiasedly. For example, we never find out why Charlie does not seek outside help and just continues to live unhealthy. The “why” is not important here. The continuing theme is about the choices you make, how they affect others and the consequences they have. That you still sympathize with Charlie in the end proves that the film possesses a strong emotional core.

The film is based on a play, which is very noticeable. The film feels a lot like a play. It’s a gripping movie, with fantastic performances by Sadie Sink and Hong Chau, but especially Brendan Fraser, who won a well-deserved Academy Award for this role.

Rating: 3,5/ 5