Read User Reviews and Submit your own for The Whale (2022)

9

CalvinCrackDec 10, 2022

Great great movie. Brendan and all the other actors brought their A-game to this. Aranofsky and Libatique do a wonderful job of telling this story emotionally and visually, especially given the limited scope of setting. Most importantly IGreat great movie. Brendan and all the other actors brought their A-game to this. Aranofsky and Libatique do a wonderful job of telling this story emotionally and visually, especially given the limited scope of setting. Most importantly I thought the film (/play) was well conceived and written. It’s a very human tale about grief and addiction that I think anyone can relate to, even if they aren’t 600lbs.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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9

CalamityJayDec 11, 2022

This movie left me in awe at Brendan Fraser. The man completely disappeared into the role, and made me feel empathy for his 600lb. character. Give this man the Oscar! There are times where I pitied him, and other times I felt sorry for him.This movie left me in awe at Brendan Fraser. The man completely disappeared into the role, and made me feel empathy for his 600lb. character. Give this man the Oscar! There are times where I pitied him, and other times I felt sorry for him. The movie does a great job of creating a sense of hopefulness and joy in a depraved world. Hong Chau and Samantha Morton give great supporting performances. The setting makes you feel like you're with Brendan throughout most of the movie, and it helps to connect with you in a heartfelt way. Sometimes, the movie is difficult to watch because of certain "scenes," but ultimately, it's a tragic story about a man living with the mistakes of his past and trying to push forward. Definitely give this a watch!… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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7

TVJerryDec 22, 2022

When actors go above and beyond to create a physically challenged character, it often gets noticed at awards time. That buzz is certainly around Brendan Fraser, who dons a fat suit to play a homebound 600-pound English teacher. TheWhen actors go above and beyond to create a physically challenged character, it often gets noticed at awards time. That buzz is certainly around Brendan Fraser, who dons a fat suit to play a homebound 600-pound English teacher. The impediments and challenges that a morbidly obese person faces are explored, but the story also delves into the personal struggles that lend humanity to the character and drama to the narrative. Fraser's sensitive portrayal in deeply touching and the other members of the small cast contribute effective performances. The fact that this was adapted from a stage play becomes apparent when the situations sometimes get repetitive and the interactions seem emotionally claustrophobic. Director Darren Aronofsky has created a low-key tension throughout, but the climatic scenes aren't as powerful as Fraser's performance merits.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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7

moviemitch96Dec 20, 2022

Brendan Fraser stars in what's being hyped up as his major comeback performance (and rightfully so) as a reclusive, morbidly obese 600 lb online English professor who makes one final desperate attempt to reconnect with his estranged teenageBrendan Fraser stars in what's being hyped up as his major comeback performance (and rightfully so) as a reclusive, morbidly obese 600 lb online English professor who makes one final desperate attempt to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter years after leaving her and her mother for a man he fell in love with. Directed by Darren Aronofsky ('Requiem For a Dream', 'The Wrestler', and 'Black Swan' just to name a few), and adapted from the stage play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter, this intimate and personal look at a man who's seemingly lost everything and makes one last desperate bid for redemption in an effort to cling onto the one thing he let go of that he regrets the most is a rather Oscar baity-seeming film from a distance (and is most certainly is in some regards.) However, it's also full of heart and empathy (at least at times.) Certain characters, insults, lines of dialogue, etc. can't help but come across as overly harsh and fatphobic at times, but in other moments, the film is a powerful reminder and reaffirming look at the goodness of people that's often enough to reassure many viewers of the kinds of people that can and do still exist in this world. Fraser's hype lived up to every expectation of mine. He is simply phenomenal and deserves every accolade that comes his way (including an Oscar hopefully.) He's bound to rip out just about any viewer's heart. Even the supporting players turn in strong performances, with Sadie Sink of 'Stranger Thing's fame as his stubborn and rebellious daughter, and Hong Chau as his tough-loving nurse. Samantha Morton also briefly appears in one memorable scene as his ex wife. While the film itself sometimes feels cloying and forced with emotion, and the ending came off as a little sappy and corny to me, the emotion and heartache felt by the end is mostly well worth it thanks largely in part to Fraser and the rest of the cast's bold performances. This is an actor's film more than anything. It definitely takes center stage over the story, writing, etc. Overall, it's certainly a heavy watch (no pun intended there), and despite feeling like forced Oscar bait and artificially emotional at times, it's Fraser and his strong supporting cast that truly elevates this film into something greater.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

moviecritic68Dec 25, 2022

Not sure why the word comedy was used in the genre description. Nothing funny about this movie. Well filmed and acted but some scenes were disturbing to watch. Not a movie for the light-hearted. Brendan Fraser was great portraying his character.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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9

alejandro970Feb 16, 2023

As a film, it is a severe and profound reflection that your worst enemy is in the mirror. Precisely, the character of Brendan Fraser is the core of the plot, and causes mixed feelings such as disgust, sympathy and compassion. After seeingAs a film, it is a severe and profound reflection that your worst enemy is in the mirror. Precisely, the character of Brendan Fraser is the core of the plot, and causes mixed feelings such as disgust, sympathy and compassion. After seeing this movie, one will never see or criticize fat people in the same way.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

SoulWarfareFeb 25, 2023

A magnificent return from Brendan Fraser! He gives a phenomenal performance as Charlie that shows the grief, pain and yet the positivity of his morbidly obese character that makes him more complex. Hong Chau is also terrific as the nurse Liz.A magnificent return from Brendan Fraser! He gives a phenomenal performance as Charlie that shows the grief, pain and yet the positivity of his morbidly obese character that makes him more complex. Hong Chau is also terrific as the nurse Liz. She gives a performance that illustrates the struggle and pain of someone watching their friend self-destruct. I love the use of a 4:3 aspect ratio to really capture the claustrophobic nature of the apartment and to illustrate the obesity as Charlie takes much of the screen. The music score by Rob Simonsen is great and the makeup for the fat suit is stunning. This movie isn't for everyone as it is depressing and quite melodramatic. It also has some issues in the writing and story, especially considering one character who appears throughout but didn't add much to the plot in the end. Nevertheless, the movie is a hauntingly and heartbreakingly beautiful experience.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

HerickDienerFeb 25, 2023

"The Whale" é claramente um filme para os seus atores brilharem, mas, nem sempre isso é suficiente, e não da para julgar quem quiser problematizar seu roteiro. Hong Chau mostrou o porque de existir categorias para atores coadjuvantes nas"The Whale" é claramente um filme para os seus atores brilharem, mas, nem sempre isso é suficiente, e não da para julgar quem quiser problematizar seu roteiro. Hong Chau mostrou o porque de existir categorias para atores coadjuvantes nas premiações. Ela transforma em seu espetáculo cada cena interpretando uma amiga atenciosa ao mesmo tempo que negligente, como todos os personagens.

Por outro lado, Sadie Sink me fez questionar se ela é uma péssima atriz ou seu texto e enredo foi extremamente mal escrito. Terminei o filme preferindo acreditar na segunda opção. Brendan Fraser está realmente ótimo. É admirável quando um ator consegue nos passar emoção com tanta maquiagem à sua volta. Darren Aronofsky é um diretor com um excelente histórico, mas dessa vez "Tha Whale" foi salvo por algumas boas atuações, que nos fazem esquecer de diálogos expositivos ruins e portas iluminadas sendo abertas.

Ah, alguém entrega nas mãos de Samantha Morton um grande filme para protagonizar. Ela é fantástica!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

NOOTNO0TJan 23, 2023

This film goes against most films in the modern day and I really hope that it's filmography and storyline isn't repeated. This film gets it right and it's story doesn't need to be butchered. Brendan Fraser's performance was phenomenal in thisThis film goes against most films in the modern day and I really hope that it's filmography and storyline isn't repeated. This film gets it right and it's story doesn't need to be butchered. Brendan Fraser's performance was phenomenal in this film and It definitely isn't a feel good type of film but when you need it you definitely need it. I recommend this film too anybody who can handle its very real feeling story.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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5

bertobellamyMar 1, 2023

In Darren Aronofsky's films, the body becomes the enemy of his protagonists. Just as Nina fights a painful transformation in 'Black Swan' and Robin forces his heart in 'The Wrestler,' Charlie faces death because of his morbid obesity. TheIn Darren Aronofsky's films, the body becomes the enemy of his protagonists. Just as Nina fights a painful transformation in 'Black Swan' and Robin forces his heart in 'The Wrestler,' Charlie faces death because of his morbid obesity. The choice of portraying this condition is controversial, let alone the decision of using a fat suit for it. But the most baffling thing about it is realizing how regular this movie is despite some stellar performances. Not counting the borderline caricature acting of Sadie Sink as a rebellious and mean teenager, everyone does a good job here. Brendan Fraser gives his best performance yet as a kind-hearted man that desperately tries to make everyone see the good things in life. Hong Chau also shines as a frustrated woman looking to ease her pain by trying to save his friend. And Ty Simpkins and Samantha Morton also have notable interventions throughout the film as a troubled missionary and a defeated mother, respectively. The problem, without a doubt, is the story.

Although some passages ring the right notes with emotional and introspective moments, the focus on the morbid is very distracting. Also, the stagey production doesn't work well; the original material suffers from superficiality. Aronofsky and playwright Samuel D. Hunter look so desperately trying to find symbols in everything and giving them to the audience in search of artificially elevating their work. And with that, it falls into Fraser's shoulders the responsibility of shining a light on this very problematic work. 'The Whale' poses a troublesome question: does an extremely obese man deserves to be loved? By making Charlie a man who lives apologizing all the time and converting his eating disorder into a spectacle, Aronofsky and Hunter seem to 'forgive' him of his "sins." Whatever they think they are.… Expand