Films

The Whale

Contributed

10 Dec 2022 — 1 min read

By Jack Weir

Darren Aronofsky’s latest film The Whale stars Brendan Fraser as Charlie, a morbidly obese English teacher trying to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter. Where Aronofsky’s Black Swan studied issues of undereating, The Whale explores issues of a binge eating disorder, a subject handled tactfully and sensitively by the director. 

Known by fans as the “Brenaissance,” Fraser’s long-awaited return to the silver screen earned him much publicity after he received a six-minute standing ovation at The Whale’s premiere in Venice. Aronofsky, known for his melodramatic character studies, cleverly cast Fraser whose personal connection to the material shines through his deeply affecting and infinitely human performance. Fraser donned a heavy prosthetic suit to become the 600-pound Charlie, physically embodying his trauma in a convincing portrayal of a man whose one solace is food. 

The Whale’s supporting roles are of equal merit. Sadie Sink of Stranger Things fame plays Charlie’s comically abrasive teenage daughter Ellie, her layered performance allowing the audience some much needed levity from Charlie’s dire circumstances. Hong Chau is also phenomenal as Charlie’s best friend Liz, a world weary cynic sharing a traumatic past with Charlie. 

I was lucky enough to see The Whale at its UK premiere at the London International Film Festival: as the credits began to roll there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. On its wider UK release on the 3rd of February, this compassionate portrait of a man’s struggle for redemption is a must-see.

Jack Weir studies Film at  Edinburgh Napier University.

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