The Whale Movie Review

    Movie Summary  

The Whale is the latest film by director Darren Aronofsky.  For those familiar with his films they have certainly been subject to controversy.  The movie stars Brendan Fraser who has been absent from major releases for some time.  Fraser portrays Charlie, a morbidly obese online instructor who due to his size and mobility is confined to his home.  Currently eating himself to death he shows how emotional instability can drive a person to their darkest depths.

MPA Rating/Content   

Rated R by the MPA for language, some drug use and sexual content.  I would consider this one of his slightly more tame and down to earth movies.  It doesn't go to the extremes like his previous films Mother!, Noah, or Black Swan.  That being said it absolutely has its fair share of mature content in it.  Something to be aware of that was startling to myself is the film opens up with him viewing gay pornography on his laptop.  While it doesn't show graphicly what is on the screen it still doesn't hide what is going on.  That is primarily it when it comes to sexual content besides a few references of other scenes in the film.  Charlie is a gay character and it doesn't stray away from topics regarding his sexuality.  

For those with strong religious beliefs some material you may also find offensive as it makes fun of door to door missionaries, and isn't exactly an ally to those who consider themselves religious.

Foul language is also persistent from his friend and caretaker, Liz, and estranged daughter Ellie.

 My Rating: 7/10   

My rating of this film is almost solely based on Brendan Frasers performance here.  While some of the subject matter I did not agree with I was still able to enjoy what he brought to the table (not a food metaphor).  The movie does a great job of showing how emotional turmoil can affect someone's physical wellbeing.  The movie also made me hungry, but I don't think that is the message it was going for.

I will also say the performance from his daughter was also a highlight.  You may recognize her as the actress who plays Max from Stranger Things. Their relationship is a difficult one, but his attempts to reconnect and right his wrongs are admirable.

It is a very "bottled" movie as it takes place 99% of the time in Charlie's apartment and doesn't venture out more than the porch and a brief flashback to a beach.

                  

                                           

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-Chase Waldapfel

Reviewer 

@ChaseWaldapfel