THE WHALE – A Review by John Strange
Darren Aronofsky has given us many eye-catching as well as thought-provoking films. Three that particularly strike me are Pi (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000), and Black Swan (2010). Each film was amazing in its own way.
Aronofsky’s latest film, The Whale, stars Brendan Frasier as Charlie. Charlie is a shut-in who teaches a college writing course online (it looks like Zoom). He wants to reconnect with his daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), more than anything in the world.
This film is played out entirely in Charlie’s apartment. It is very visual and the emotions coming from all of the characters are stark and harsh.
This is an Academy Award-worthy film filled with Oscar-worthy performances, especially from Brendan Frasier. That said, this film’s intensity is also its greatest enemy. This is a hard film to witness. For someone like me, who was once 550 pounds, this film was even more difficult to watch.
While I liked the film a lot, I will never watch it again. It is just too intense. Due to this, the best rating I can give The Whale is 4-stars.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton
MPAA Rating: R (for language, some drug use, and sexual content)
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Runtime: 117 Min.
Release Date: 12/09/2022 (NY/LA)
Local Release Locations: December 21st: AMC Firewheel 18, AMC NorthPark 15, AMC DINE-IN Stonebriar 24, AMC DINE-IN Mesquite 30, AMC DINE-IN Grapevine Mills 30, Cinemark West Plano and XD
Language: English
Movie Site: THE WHALE Official Site
Trailer: THE WHALE Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
