The Whale (2022)

Soul shattering performances from Brendan Fraser & Hong Chau elevate a very mediocre film - The Whale review by TB

Brendan Fraser was for me, like many people my age, a part of my childhood. Whilst I never saw George of the Jungle, I loved the first two Mummy films. And whilst I did notice that he was not appearing in movies the last few years, it was only recently I found out about his personal and health difficulties which led him to take time away from acting. The only reason I mention this is because his performance as Charlie is so incredible, so heartfelt and so filled with pain that it really opens a window into the agony he has been through. This film would have totally failed without Fraser in the lead role and I struggle to think of anyone else who could even come close to what he achieves.

But as much as Fraser dominates this film, Hong Chau equally holds her own and her performance is another of power, beauty and desperation. Her character feels that she is the only one who can “save” him, whilst at the same time knowing that the point of no return was passed so long ago she probably has forgotten what it looked like when she passed it. You feel the deep sense of pain and hurt, whilst also trying to contain the anger which she feels at Charlie for destroying himself, despite her super-human attempts to help him.

Another incredible part of this film is Rob Simonsen’s soundtrack. Stunning strings and brass, when matched up with the images on screen, push the atmosphere into the next level. The prosthesis is also incredible. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end, and the flaws of the film are so great that it actually exacerbates the faults.

The main issue is that this is so clearly adapted from a stage play and despite the technical wizardry, it never gets above that. The whole film feels constricted and also, even though it has a moderate running time, bloated. And there is a sub-plot regarding a missionary and Charlie’s daughter Ellie which for the most part seems to have been shoe-horned in to extend the running time and try to build character. And speaking of Ellie, whilst she is played as best as can be with the material by Sadie Sink, she is so horrible a person that by the time you get to the end and witness her so-called “redemption,” you are not left in any way convinced. Whilst there is clearly a little child hurting within her, it is in many ways nails-down-a-chalkboard character.

Finally, the hysteria from some in the media/social media regarding the subject of this film (a morbidly obese man) being exploited and the use of this as the main source of trauma, is to me completely disingenuous. Charlie’s size is never mocked and it is so clearly shown how he is a prisoner of his mind & body. One review criticized the film for not showing the stigma attached to his size, somehow totally missing the fact that Charlie can’t bear to see anyone who doesn’t know him well/is his carer. Charlie also knows that what he is doing will lead to his death and cannot face up to this reality, showing the complexity within him.

I absolutely recommend people watch this film, for Fraser and Chau’s work if nothing else. But don’t be surprised if when it finishes, you wanted more.

Unconvincing characters in an improbably forced scenario - The Whale review by DM

Brendan Fraser plays an English teacher who is fatter than Baron Harkonnen. His performance is good but I couldn’t make any sense of the story or characters. There seemed to be some ongoing reference to Moby-Dick but I don’t think the writer had much idea of what he was trying to say; he just threw in every theme he could think of and hoped something would stick. It was originally a stage play, which accounts for the relentless emoting of all the characters. After watching some very fine dramas like The Staircase and The Act, this sort of over-the-top intensity and exposition comes across as very artificial.