DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky
PRODUCERS:
WRITERS: Samuel D. Hunter
PERFORMERS: Brendan Fraser Sadie Sink Hong Chau Ty Simpkins Sathya Sridharan
Jacey Sink and Samantha Morton
What do a long absent actor, an indie filmmaker and a stage play have in common? They make for a great theatrical show to be remembered by many as a work of art. In this case, a film based on play that had been in the dark for too long and about to make itself known. Here, that's what we get: a story of redemption, forgiveness and honesty, along with the comeback performance of the year and a major step towards stage adaptation. We get The Whale.
In this dramatic tale, a reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter before he dies. On top of that, a missionary tries to get him to convert, even though Fraser has very little time left to live. Fraser truly pours his heart and soul into this film and this character who's so overweight, that it's almost very tragic to see him go through what he's going through while facing his last days. There are times when it's just painful to see him suffer, but as he's trying to make up for some of the mistakes his character made in the past, you side with him. This could very well be the ultimate performance of his career and hopefully, he'll get more parts like this going forward.
As time goes on, you get into the world of these people and you either feel for them or you're against them. But you're also immersed into their worlds as they go about their lives. The supporting characters come and go, but they all stand out so well. For the most part, they were playing their parts to the core like a day had not passed. They seemed to be a lot of people who were very angry either at themselves or Fraser for the things in the past he did and their unwillingness to forgive him and move on (EPHESIANS 4:26-27). There was very little voice of reason (except through the missionary played by Simpkins), Fraser had no say except for what he thought was right and they all either wanted something from him or just didn't care about his situation. Just like his personal nurse, you couldn't stand to see him this way and it hurt so much, especially when he refuses hospital treatment.
For nearly two hours, you're in this house of a reclusive individual and you can't help but feel for him. We all had that moment where we're at a person's house and the space felt small and claustrophobic. The more time you spent there, however, the more you got used to it and forgot about the downsides of being there at all. That's how good the setting is here aa well as the pacing. There was no need to rush the plot or hurry it for that matter. You only saw a bunch of people being angry and full of resentment while there was only one person trying to make things right again. How many films like that these days do you see anymore? Especially in today's times.
By the time the film was over, you felt overwhelmed with sadness and hope lost. There was not one single dry eye in the theater not even your own! For several weeks you heard about how Fraser gives the performance of a lifetime and by seeing this film firsthand, you see why! Your heart is pounding, your legs are shaking, and emotions are running high than ever before! Makes you think about your own life and what have you done with it that's right. If this has a reason for it to be called what it is, it's this... trying to overcome a whale of past misdeeds and fight your way out of your cocoon that has buried you for too long. At the end of that tunnel of darkness lies the light at the end we all want to get to (that's where the tissue box comes in!).
The Whale is a surprising, good picture that catches you and devours you on a deep emotional level. While you're going on this journey of recovery with Fraser, you know his inevitable end but you still pray for him and his well deserved mercy (LUKE 6:36-38). You thought you were living Moby Dick's story only outside of the belly of the whale and feeling what it was like to be in his shoes. As soon as the show was over, you came out a changed man and never felt the same again. That's what this does for those who watch this from start to finish. Great to have Fraser back again and highly recommended! On a side note, this may be the top contender for next year's Oscars and Globes ceremonies with Fraser as the frontrunner for Best Actor!! I'll be routing for you Mr. Fraser!
MY RATING: 5 out of 5