‘The whale’ review
The Whale is a clean cut well-made and though evoking film set entirely within a single apartment. Whilst this film didn’t quite reduce me to tears, every single moment had me emotionally engaged from the get-go. Brendan Fraser absolutely eats up his screen time (pun intended) during his return to the screen. Fraser provides a stunning performance as a man who is so physically obese and emotional damaged that he has become a danger to himself.
The film is a discussion about mental health, and faith and what we can choose to do with both of those aspects of life. Maybe you don’t have religion, but do you have faith in yourself? What happens when your ability to utilize that is severely damaged? Why are we so often able to see the potential in others whilst ignoring our own? As the protagonist, Charlie, continued to eat himself into an early grave, there was an atmospherically collective cringe of displeasure. I, at least, spent the entire runtime praying for the moment Charlie would decide to live and to just go to the damn hospital. This doesn’t happen, he never does. Leaving the audience on a bittersweet note, Charlie reaching his daughter at last, only to die immediately after.
The Whale makes keen use of its small motel apartment setting, allowing great control over lighting and movement and production design. Charlie’s circumstances are made clear via the props that he needs to live his everyday life, picking items up and transitioning to bed etc.
The whale was compelling throughout and made me consider my own life, just as Charlie’s daughter says of Moby Dick. What decisions do I need to make for myself, for the betterment of my mental health? Where is it integral that people draw the line with themselves and just “snap out of it”. This is a softly painful film which grips you with hope and gently make you consider that potentially anyone can change their circumstance, its just a hard choice.
Watch this film when you can.
Side question: Is it Oscar bait to end a feature on a down note?