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

Movie Reviews - Downsizing

Director: Alexander Payne
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, Udo Kier, Jason Sudeikis, Neil Patrick Harris, Laura Dern

Description: A social satire in which a man (Matt Damon) realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself to five inches tall, allowing him to live in wealth and splendor.

Review: What would you do if you had the option to shrink, which means your money is worth so much more.
In Alexander Payne’s new movie, this is the question at the start of the film. Paul and Audrey are your every day couple, with not a lot to spend. They want more space and nice things, but that’s simply not possible with their payments. Paul sees a Norwegian professor in the news, who managed to shrink people. A great invention, because you would waist less and everything you have is worth more.
A couple of years after the experiment, ‘downsizing’ is a popular procedure. More people choose to be downsized, like friends of Paul and Audrey. They tell them how amazing it is and how it changed their lives in a good way. And especially because their money is worth more. Paul and Audrey are also thinking about downsizing. If they sell everything, they can live as a king and queen. It’s the solution for all their problems.
After the downsizing process in the film, the movie goes downhill. New plots unfold, which makes to story go in so many different directions. Payne loses focus and towards the end the story goes into another direction, which makes it feel endless. “Downsizing” has such an interesting starting point, but this all gets a little lost.
“Downsizing” is a bit of a mess, but there is still a lot to enjoy. De first half is fast paced, filled with humor and has really nice scenes. Matt Damon is really good and most supporting roles are well performed. At the end, you’re left with mixed feelings. I really love Alexander Payne’s work, but “Downsizing” is not one of my favorites.

Rating: 2,5 / 5