The Whale is a 2022 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Samuel D. Hunter base of his 2012v play of the same name. the film stars Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton. The plot follows a morbidly obese English teacher named Charlie who tries to restore his relationship with his teenage daughter. The Whale is a great film sad and emotional as well as sweet at times and although not really having much of the Aronofsky trademark weirdness it succussed in being a moving and effective drama.
The direction in the film is great. All the actors in the film do a great job. All the actors are ultimately focused on the character of Charlie and his interactions with other people due to his obesity. How these characters lives intertie with Chare is and how their lives are hanged because of him and vice versa is really what drives the movie. The mood of the film is interesting there is clearly a sense of humour to the film however there is also a morbid sense of dread and sadness that runs throughout the film. The style of the film is interesting, for a Darren Aronofsky film as the tone for the most part is very normal and realistic with the whole film being an uncomfortable drama.
Brendan Fraser does an amazing job as Charlie. Not only does he give an incredible physical performance with his weight gain but his emotion in his performance is incredible. Sadie Sink does a good job as Ellie at first, she comes across as sadistic however it’s obvious that she is hurting just as much as everyone else and is not evil. Ty Simpkins does a good job as Thomas a Christian missionary who is fanatical about his religion and although inevitably hurts Charlie to a extent also helps him and cares about him. Hong Chau does a good job as Liz the nurse that looks after Charles and does truly care for him. Samantha Morton does a good job as Mary Charlies ex-wife who both urges with Charlie but does seem to truly love him.
The writing in the film is great. The plot is interesting, and Charlies one man performance really helps to engage the audience in this story of his life and gradual decline. All the characters a great in the film at serving their purposes and playing off the main character to showcase the sadness of this story.
The cinematography in the film is great. The film really show’s Charlie’s size and his weight. The cinematography for the most part is normal for an Aronofsky film however there is a very surreal sense at the ending of the film which I won’t spoil.
The special effects in the film are great. Brendan Frazer’s fat suit looks great, and you can really feel the weight of the character. His assent at the end of the film also looks great and adds an element of surrealism to the film.
The Whale is a great film. It’s a sad and heart-breaking story of a good man’s self-destruction and his redemption with those closes to him in his final days.