THE WHALE is a little film with a giant heart. How is that for starting a review with a gag inducing cliche? 🙂 There are all sort of adjectives and metaphors that can be thrown around about this new drama from Director Darren Aronofsky. The simple truth is that the conversations and performances in this film are incredibly moving. You can’t help but be touched.
I had watched the standing ovations for actor Brendan Fraser as THE WHALE was shown at film festivals. I figured much of that was to support a man who we all have a fondness for. I mean, who doesn’t love the Mummy films and Blast from the Past? After the watching his incredible performance I realized that it was for far much more.
The story is about Charlie, an online English teacher (Fraser) who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink) after he starts having serious health problems. Charlie is a man haunted by guilt, loneliness, and regret. Yet, it is his upbeat, sweet disposition that outshines everything else. I would not even call it Pollyanna. It is an inner spirit that can’t be faked.
All of the guilt and sorrow is swallowed up – literally – by Charlie who is morbidly obese. This adds to his shame and reluctance to reach out to others. His only personal connection is with a long time friend and nurse Liz (Hong Chau). Liz cares for Charlie but some could also say she enables him with her actions. Often her frustration for his eating habits is overshadowed by her love for the person he once was; and in many ways still is.
Performances are fantastic
All three main characters give powerful performances. This script must have fierce, raw emotion in order to come across as intended. Fraser, Sing, and Chau have different ways of expressing that emotion. Aronofsky is able to conduct the film so that it rises and falls with each scene. It is never tears for the sake of tears or yelling just to make noise. There is a purpose to each moment.
A fourth character brings some of my favorite conversations. Thomas (Ty Simpkins) is a young missionary who happens to stumble his way into Charlie’s life. The conversations they have about religion, faith, the afterlife; all are some of the best I have seen on screen. They convey a story of love, and what it means to share these thoughts with others.
Rated R for language, some drug use and sexual content, THE WHALE is an adult film and at times heartbreaking to watch. Without the sweet persona of Fraser I am not sure it would be watchable at all. He really does draw you in to his character’s life. Ninety-nine percent of the film is shot inside Charlie’s apartment. This lack of vibrant locations elevate the actors’ performance.
In our world of billion dollar, special effects blockbusters it is nice to be reminded that all you need is a well written story and actors brave enough to put themselves out there.
Matt Mungle – CCA | OFCC |DFWFCA
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