The Whale - 💥💥

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Writers: Samuel D. Hunter
Release Date: 3rd February 2023

Hot Rating: 💥💥

Synopsis: Charlie, a reclusive and unhealthy English teacher in Idaho, is eating himself to death in his flat. Assisted only by his nurse, Liz (Hong Chau), and a mysterious but well-intentioned missionary (Ty Simkins), he desperately tries to reunite with his teenage daughter (Sadie Sink).

Review: Aronofsky's latest work is a melodrama that aims for something deeper. While there are numerous controversies around the morality of how you actually visualise someone in Charlie's physical position, the fat suit worn by lead Brendan Fraser isn't the main issue here. The bigger problem lies with the film's narrative, which struggles to find a balance between tragedy and redemption. The story has the potential to be a poignant exploration of grief, love, and forgiveness, but it ultimately falls short due to uneven pacing and weak characterisation. The Whale crucially benefits from strong performances by its cast, particularly Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau, who manage to elevate the material with their nuanced portrayals of characters burdened by their tragic, interlinked past. Certainly not Aronofsky's strongest film, The Whale is still worth a watch for those interested in seeing the director explore his familiar motifs of forgiveness redemption and christian morality.

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