"THE WHALE" (2022) Directed by Darren Aronofsky #thewhale #darrenaronofsky

Written by Samuel D Hunter and based upon his own 2012 play of the same name, The Whale is essentially the last will and testament of a dying man who through the depressive fug of seeing his life partner die has resorted to binge eating to extreme excess. It’s also the final week in the life of a man who desperately wishes for a brief re-connection with his estranged daughter as “I need to know I’ve done one thing right with my life”, but he already has, and will continue to do so long after his impending death.

That man is Charlie.

“Charlie” (Brendan Fraser) Oscar nominated for an actor in a leading role, Fraser produces the finest work of a career I’ve appreciated since the turn of the century and The Mummy franchise as well as Crash in 2004. In a somewhat paradoxical way, Charlie only sees the very best in other people as he exclaims excitedly that “people are amazing!” yet he doesn’t see that quality in himself. Despite his size, ill health and a seriously debilitating and failing heart, he refuses to go to the hospital and “I’m not interested in being saved”. He seemingly has no time for the labels of life be they a carer, a religious missionary or even an errant daughter, rather he wants their friendship and companionship when not busy with the twin passions of his life, eating and being an online English tutor. Tellingly toward the end of the film he invokes his students to write from the heart and to be themselves as he too reveals himself on a webcam for the first time to the gasps of horror from his students. “Mr Positive” he may be, but Charlie has been on a downward spiral toward his own death for some time now and whilst infuriating a carer who desperately wants him to seek hospitalised care and help, he only wants to spend valuable time with a dangerously wayward daughter he only sees the very best in, and to say “sorry”, repeatedly, over and over, and over again.

“Sorry”.

The above is an extract from my spoiler free review of "The Whale" which was originally penned and published to my Medium blog site on 3rd March 2023. The review in full is linked below, together with a link to the 7 volumes of my "essential film reviews collection" (which are all free to read if you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package) as well as other ways and means of supporting me, if you are able. Thanks.

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