The Whale

The Whale is a movie that came with a lot of hype attached. It genuinely lives up to it, but the danger of raving too much about it is that it runs the risk of diluting the simplicity and ramping up expectations.

It is a simple, clever, beautiful, heroic, melancholy, sad and joyous story that plays out like a long one act play. The direction is economical, restrained and unrushed, making Charlie’s whole world the film’s whole world.

With the camera on Charlie (Brendon Fraser) for the majority of the time, it allows Fraser to languidly use his entire acting palate, not only supplying the big, dramatic moments but all of the smaller, sometimes intimate and sometimes seemingly inconsequential moments as well.

It feels real, and as simple as that sentence sounds, it’s an almost impossible thing to deliver.

Director Darren Aronofsky has provided a warm and subtle film that integrates isolation, sexuality, being different, remorse and redemption without waving them like a banner.

There are clever reveals and while you may have an inkling where the show is going, I don’t think you will fully predict the emotional gut punch coming your way until it’s upon you.

With all the superhero films and rushed-to-Netflix movies these days, I don’t see much superb film making these days, or many that I think are worth 10 out of 10. This is.

Chris Gordon

Chris Gordon is a former journalist and editor, trying his hand in creative writing. The writer of a musical and two musical revues, he is currently working on a number of other projects.