Review of The Whale (2022) by Moviemitch96 — 20 Dec 2022

Brendan Fraser stars in what's being hyped up as his major comeback performance (and rightfully so) as a reclusive, morbidly obese 600 lb online English professor who makes one final desperate attempt to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter years after leaving her and her mother for a man he fell in love with.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky ('Requiem For a Dream', 'The Wrestler', and 'Black Swan' just to name a few), and adapted from the stage play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter, this intimate and personal look at a man who's seemingly lost everything and makes one last desperate bid for redemption in an effort to cling onto the one thing he let go of that he regrets the most is a rather Oscar baity-seeming film from a distance (and is most certainly is in some regards.

) However, it's also full of heart and empathy (at least at times.) Certain characters, insults, lines of dialogue, etc. can't help but come across as overly harsh and fatphobic at times, but in other moments, the film is a powerful reminder and reaffirming look at the goodness of people that's often enough to reassure many viewers of the kinds of people that can and do still exist in this world.

Fraser's hype lived up to every expectation of mine. He is simply phenomenal and deserves every accolade that comes his way (including an Oscar hopefully.) He's bound to rip out just about any viewer's heart.

Even the supporting players turn in strong performances, with Sadie Sink of 'Stranger Thing's fame as his stubborn and rebellious daughter, and Hong Chau as his tough-loving nurse. Samantha Morton also briefly appears in one memorable scene as his ex wife.

While the film itself sometimes feels cloying and forced with emotion, and the ending came off as a little sappy and corny to me, the emotion and heartache felt by the end is mostly well worth it thanks largely in part to Fraser and the rest of the cast's bold performances.

This is an actor's film more than anything. It definitely takes center stage over the story, writing, etc. Overall, it's certainly a heavy watch (no pun intended there), and despite feeling like forced Oscar bait and artificially emotional at times, it's Fraser and his strong supporting cast that truly elevates this film into something greater.