I do love the post-Christmas flurry of award nominated films that come to the cinemas here in the UK, they help to pass those cold wintry days, but it is frustrating to hear all the buzz and excitement about certain films and then have to wait several weeks after the likes of the US before they are even released here. One such film is Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale and the spectacular return of Brendan Fraser, something that has been a hot topic of conversation with cinema fans for months. Couple that with a significant buzz on the awards circuit, including a handful of Oscar nominations, and Fraser as the heavy favourite for the Best Actor win and there was no way we were going to miss this one. But will it live up to the expectations?
Director Darren Aronofsky’s capable, yet often controversial, hands delivers a raw, honest, claustrophobic and emotional interpretation of Samuel D. Hunter’s story, based on his theatrical play of the same name. We are introduced to Brendan Fraser’s Charlie, a reclusive morbidly obese online English teacher, in quite spectacular fashion, as he furiously masturbates to gay porn on a shabby sofa in the middle of a cluttered flat until the exertion brings on a near fatal heart attack. As luck would have it, Thomas, a young missionary from the local church is happening by and helps calm Charlie down by reading him an essay about Moby Dick. The metaphor here is a little on the nose, but the meaning behind this particular subject matter becomes clearer and more resonant as the story progresses.
When he is visited by his long suffering friend, and unofficial nurse, Liz, we learn that without hospital treatment Charlie will be dead in a matter of days, something that it seems Charlie has already come to accept, choosing instead to spend the rest of his time trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Ellie.
From the very beginning, Aronofsky’s direction immerses us in Charlie’s world. The cramped, cluttered apartment becomes a character in itself, reflecting Charlie’s isolation and struggle to connect with the outside world and the drab, gloomy colour palette weighs heavy on the viewer. Even those who might not be able to relate to Charlie’s issues with his weight, will likely remember the collective feeling of claustrophobia, isolation and disconnection we had during the Covid lockdowns.
Aronofsky manages to deliver a rather nuanced, emotional message with an honest simplicity. Initially, the film gives off an almost voyeuristic aura, as if Charlie’s whale-like body is an exhibit at the zoo as we watch him go about the struggles of his everyday life, where simple tasks like getting off the sofa and taking a shower require almost herculean effort. But as the film unfolds, we learn to look past the aesthetic surface and into the man underneath; a man heavy with grief, self-hatred and regret yet capable of humour and hope.
Along the way, we meet a cast of characters who have all been affected by Charlie’s weight. From Sadie Sink’s portrayal of Ellie, the estranged teenage daughter, bitter and resentful, full of anger at the world and the father she feels abandoned by, to Samantha Morton’s brief but powerful performance as Charlie’s ex-wife, Mary, each actor delivers a standout performance, bringing depth and complexity to their roles.
Having struggled personally with his weight, depression and emotional trauma, Fraser brings an authenticity to his portrayal of Charlie and his performance is nothing short of remarkable, conveying both the character’s physical limitations and his inner turmoil with empathy and nuance. His triumphant return to the big screen, including a six-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, has deservedly earnt him his first Oscar nomination, with the bookies backing him for the big win.
And whilst, quite rightly, the majority of the buzz has been around Brendan Fraser, it would be wrong not to talk about Hong Chau, who you may recognise from Mark Mylod’s brilliant yet twisted thriller, The Menu. Her somewhat understated performance delivers an emotional heft that resonated with me personally, as she subtly demonstrates the frustration and internal back-and-forth dialogue that takes place when someone you love is in such a dark and troubling place.
Although The Whale tells the story of one man’s struggle with food, the message, the emotion and the meaning that underpins the whole story can be applied to any form of addiction, and the devastating impact it can have on the people involved. Whether you have experienced addiction yourself, or have had to watch, helpless, as your loved one suffers, there are elements within this film that we can all relate to and, whilst it may not be an easy watch, it is most certainly a powerful one.
