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The Whale

The Whale

2022
Drama
1h 57m
A reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption. (imdb)
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The Whale

2022
Drama
1h 57m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 54.1% from 1062 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1062)
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Rated 26 Jan 2023
69
59th
My friend saw Jaws while floating in a lake. There's an outpost in Antarctica that forces newcomers to watch The Thing on their first night. Edgar Wright talked about watching The Evil Dead in a cemetery. Me? I ordered food and had it brought to me at a screening of The Whale. I am become legend.
Rated 22 Dec 2022
55
19th
For a film with a central ethos about the importance of expressing truth, "The Whale" really seemed to have a lot of synthetic drama designed to push it along. Most notably the entire church-boy/daughter subplot which, intentionally or not, was the funniest comedic relief of any movie I've seen in 2022. Overall, a strangely flat outing for Aronofsky despite a commanding lead performance.
Rated 04 Mar 2023
50
47th
(MOPEY DICK)
Rated 01 Mar 2023
65
54th
Fraser really chews the scenery. What?
Rated 25 Feb 2023
48
19th
The Wrestler with a fat man, only with a much less compelling lead and worse writing. The script is especially a problem here as it's essentially a chamber piece that requires more depth and complexity in character and dialogue to sustain interest. Fraser and Chau are quite good within certain limits, but Morton is terrible, and the bitchiness of the daughter is absurdly contrived. Overall, a waste of time for all involved.
Rated 12 Oct 2022
58
11th
What if King-Size Homer was like, really sad? A powerhouse performance from Fraser and great supporting turns can’t save this movie from sloppy, overwritten dialogue and a blaring BE SAD NOW score. But I could get over all that if not for the ending which, for all the writer’s claims of making a story about connection, is intensely fatphobic and misanthropic. Sometimes Aronofsky’s lack of subtlety serves the material - here, it creates a mess. Some funny bits, though.
Rated 05 Mar 2023
90
98th
As a person facing many of the same issues of feeling absolute no self-worth as Fraser's protagonist in The Whale, I felt this movie on every conceivable personal level. I'm happy for fellow critickers who saw this only as a "boohoo sad flick" and soon forgot about. For me, this movie has resonated more than most of the cinema in the last decade. And I don't think there are many who could have brought the kindness and un-bitterness to the lead as Frasier did. Brava!
Rated 22 Feb 2023
45
45th
Wow, this was certainly underwhelming. Darren Aronofsky is pretty much my favorite director, so I was definitely expecting more. The script and dialogues were very shallow, there's a ton of cheap sentimentality, and the shots weren't particularly inspired. It's an overall mediocre movie.
Rated 16 Jan 2023
31
4th
The worst final scene of any 2022 release I’ve watched. There’s a place for tear-jerking cinema, but I have absolutely no patience or tolerance for something so nakedly cloying as to make every character behave in ways dictated by the film’s desired emotional response rather than any kind of organic development. Thar she blows.
Rated 08 Jan 2023
30
13th
An interminable and excruciating 2 hours. I despised this movie, and loathed every single character. It was predictable and cliche; it could have been 15 minutes long if that's all the movie had to say. Plus, the plot revolved around the ludicrous contrivance that multiple people over many days did not have the compassion to call 911 and save the man's life.
Rated 11 Dec 2022
63
38th
Aronofsky’s scenarios have always been exaggerated, hyperbolic slow cookers meant to boil the humanity from his characters, but more recently, they have become more tangible, smaller, isolated, creating a frisson between mythic and mundane that might be inconsolable precisely because he says they’re the same. I thought Aranosfky couldn’t get more Gnostic but the self-immolation of Fraser as Charlie slitting his throat by meatball sub may be the greatest example and indictment of his creativity.
Rated 21 Jan 2023
44
11th
Brendan Fraser, we all know, is a mensch and it's nice to see him get his flowers. (And while we're at it, let's give Hong Chau hers as well.) But this is an unrelentingly cruel film--which is the point, I know, but it comes across as exploitation when every emotional beat is screamed at the top of one's lungs, or clumsily suggested by the horror score underpinning Charlie's trips to the fridge.
Rated 27 Feb 2023
15
1st
What I'll say about this Arthouse Simple Jack is that it demonstrates the versatility of the Sony Venice, but that's all the praise I have for the film itself. Much love to Brendan Fraser but this shouldn't have been what kicked off his renaissance.
Rated 11 Mar 2023
69
68th
This divisive film repeatedly shifts between stark realism & melodramatic sensationalism while simultaneously teetering between empathy & exploitation. Adapted from a play, it's more theater than traditional film. Set in one location, most plot revelations occur via direct dialogue. Frasier's performance is the heart of the film, & he may seem overly intense, scenery-chewing, or lost & grasping at times, but that's essentially the extreme mental space in which this character has become trapped.
Rated 26 Dec 2022
45
16th
based on his filmography, i do wonder what kind of addiction problem aronofsky's been having because he keeps returning to the same human dynamics without making them more interesting (and even failing to preserve what made his earlier films compelling). thankfully, the film's constant failure to say something "profound" doesn't hurt, but amplifies fraser's delicate performance (the contrast b/w script's overblown self-importance and fraser's calm and poignant acting).
Rated 24 Feb 2023
76
39th
Classic Aronofsky cinematic chamber pop. I guess it can trigger anyone with an estranged daughter since it hits all those tropes and thats really all it does.
Rated 07 Mar 2023
67
76th
The Whale is cinematic theatre; not only due to the single location set, staging & movement, but more so the way in which the characters (quite shitty people) are written & act. In fact this film is slightly reminiscent of Osborne's Look Back in Anger. The film dips into melodrama, but strong performances from the cast (particularly Fraser, Sink & Chau) keep it grounded & engrossing, allowing more focus on the themes of religion, redemption & salvation. Aronofsky's restraint in style helped.
Rated 18 Apr 2023
82
82nd
I'm not going to debate anyone who finds this film uncomfortable or in the realm of misery porn, but for me it stayed clear of that and mostly highlights the humanity in its characters and their relationships.
Rated 01 Mar 2023
87
54th
I thought it was quite good. Some of the stuff around the obesity element is questionable at best, but I doubt it was meant to coke off as an insensitive movie, rather or not it does at times. The protagonist is well written though, with a stellar Brendan Fraser in the lead. Chau was amazing and the supporting cast is only a little behind her and Fraser. I really dug the cinematography and most of the way it was shot. A weaker Aronofsky movie, but still quite good in my opinion.
Rated 15 May 2023
75
41st
Questions about the Far Left values this perpetuates: 1. If a hetero male leaves his wife & child for a younger female student & worships her so much he can't function w/out her, is that love pure? Or does this idealized love only apply to gays? 2. Is someone who helps the dangerously obese kill themselves w/ food really a good friend? How so? 3. Why is it ok to present delusional faith in religion as a negative while presenting delusional faith in your demonstrably godawful teen as wonderful?
Rated 24 Feb 2023
65
31st
As a humble fan of DA, i tried my best to like this, but i couldn't do it. Charly is a true, tragic figure and his suicide-by-groceries is credibly done. But what's with all these characters that swarm around him, their theatrical dialogues, their tense monologues, their repeated hesitation in the doorway, their uninteresting subplots? It just doesn't mingle. Maybe it's some kind of pastiche that I'm not able to get yet - with DA, i'm open to anything. For now, I salute and go on.
Rated 11 Mar 2023
28
2nd
Plagued from the start by Fraser's unconvincing, freakishly grotesque makeup which never convinces you of anything but the fact you are watching Fraser in a "fat suit", inevitably hampering the impact of his performance. Aronofsky struggles with the stage-bound origins of his material, creating a cramped, claustrophobic feeling more uncomfortable than involving. Notable for an excellent supporting performance from Chau, who solely manages to mine some real and genuine emotion from the material.
Rated 09 Mar 2023
6
34th
Its theatre origins are more than evident, with all supporting characters opportunely shouting their way back into Charlie's confined life. Also, my initial hunger - pun intended - in learning more about his past wasn't stilled by what eventually transpired. Where the filmmakers dropped the ball is in portraying him as this self-appointed martyr while simultaneously pleading the audience for sympathy. While it preaches honesty, it can't help come across as manufactured. So, who’s hungry?
Rated 07 Mar 2023
85
24th
This film really messed me up (but in a good way). Brought up a lot of feelings about my own relationship with my dad. I definitely cried and also celebrate the return of our beloved Brendan Fraser
Rated 16 Apr 2023
85
59th
"I don't believe that anybody can save anybody", cf. Jacob's Ladder "But if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the earth."
Rated 01 Jan 2023
4
51st
I mean it’s not not The Wrestler. Treading familiar ground for sure with an added commentary/grappling with religion which he seems to be doing with his last couple movies.
Rated 05 Sep 2023
70
76th
An interesting & ambitious film with a strong lead performance & a surreal feel. But the allegory was absolutely muddled. Self-honesty seems to be the point, but was never learned. The protagonist is saved by walking a few feet - a conclusion without resolution. I'd like to think the contrived nature of the musical score, nonsense of the mission kid's presence, & blatant overacting were somehow intentional... but I can't quite see how. Should have been a Dogma 95 film with a better ending.
Rated 03 Feb 2023
65
58th
Good Drama that you can tell was adapted from a play. Brendan Fraser is decent in it as well as the others, but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to feel sorry for his character. Most of the characters are kind of unlikeable in it too (yeah I know that’s kind of the point to some of them), but for the most part the emotional beats work and it has a pretty decent musical score to it.
Rated 05 Nov 2023
85
88th
The end of addiction story has been told before, one could even argue by Aronofsky himself in 'The Wrestler', and these two movies certainly share a kindship. But where the wrestler may have died doing what he loved, the whale is dying of shame and pain, grabbing whatever last half chances to rekindle with what he has left. Yeah. Painful. A good one word review for 'The Whale'.
Rated 27 Feb 2023
79
89th
+++acting
Rated 02 Jan 2024
45
22nd
Overwrought, melodramatic, manipulative, and even unintentionally comedic at times. Playing intense score every time he eats something was such a poor decision, as were many of Aronofsky's visual choices, which seem to gawk at the main character like a circus attraction rather than displaying the empathy the film purports to have
Rated 13 Jun 2023
40
13th
Whale, that cetaceanly made me blubber, but I suppose that was its porpoise. ENOUGH! .. Overwrought, over acted and simply trying too hard to make a stage play cinematic .... instead of a "exit stage left" we had an "exit through front door" ... each time accompanied by a "oh, and by the way" sledge hammer moment. Whilst Fraser and Chau were great, this actually was a film that tried and failed at any sort of verisimilitude. It reminded me of "Doubt".... great in theatres, rubbish in cinemas
Rated 25 Feb 2023
54
37th
Great performances couldn't save shallow script and dialogues. Worst movie made by Aronofsky.
Rated 07 Dec 2023
73
74th
The movie was very good .. Brendan Fraser at his best and deserves the Oscar as We all know it already .. just the Ending of the Movie was Not soo .. and also the character of Sadie Sink brought me sometimes to an Point of Anger and Ask myself during her Performance WTF is She up to .. But At Least very Good Movie .
Rated 29 Jul 2023
55
57th
I am not a fan of this movie. Seeing Brendan Frasier like this was just sad.
Rated 22 Mar 2023
100
94th
I didn’t want to know anything 
going into this movie I knew it was going to be a gut punch for me 
But I didn’t expect it hit as hard as it did 
It doesn’t feel like I’m watching a movie 
The characters feel very real and human 
Full of anger regret and pain 
Each dealing with their own issues 
Brendan Fraser definitely earned his Oscar 
But honestly I loved all of the characters and what they brought to their respective roles 
I don’t mind telling you I was choking up at the end
Rated 02 Mar 2023
55
41st
The kind of film where dramatic music kicks in when the protagonist eats candy bars in a disgusting, violent manner. While I like the Moby Dick references everything is way too blunt and simple. The overall acting is also pretty weak, Hong Chau excepted.
Rated 23 Feb 2023
70
66th
I feel like DA has set out a narrow circuit with emotional intermediate checkpoints that the viewer is carefully but compulsory pushed through, but it leaves little room for deviation. I think the only reason that it works is the character of Charlie. A mesmerizing presentation in both appearance and acting. What doesn't work for me is the character and plotting of his daughter and her obnoxious behavior seems a manipulative and unsubtle setup to raise the stakes for the climax at the end.
Rated 22 Apr 2023
4
23rd
Too exploitative. The acting is top tier, the script isn't bad, but I won't get over how wrong everyone is in this movie, both in the script and in real life. It's a beautiful movie, the Aronofsky special sad ending works quite well, I just didn't enjoy watching it. Felt like the setting had much more potential.
Rated 29 Jan 2024
78
50th
Espectacular. Como persona con posible TCA, no la vería de nuevo ni por todo el dinero del mundo :)))
Rated 22 Feb 2024
55
41st
Let's make one thing clear, this is not a film about obesity. It's a film about the importance of honesty, caring for others, and salvation. It's a film about rising, both figuratively and literally. Admittedly, Aronofsky is heavy-handed at times in addressing these issues, but that's hard to avoid when dealing with Biblical matters.
Rated 23 Feb 2023
70
31st
IMO The Whale is just an uncompelling character study. Everyone talks about the performances, which are good, but nothing overly special. I get that it's a play adaption, but even so everything is way too static. Narratively there wasn't enough going on for my taste. They try to make up for it with a lot of melodrama, but it just didn't work for me. It's not terrible. Everyone tries to make it work, but it's hard to overcome the screenplay. Unless you're a fan of Fraser or Aronofsky I'd skip it.
Rated 24 Mar 2023
90
83rd
Very emotional and sad story. Honest and brutally real. Great characters and amazing acting, I forgot I was watching a movie. Trough all the hardships there's so much light and positivity nonetheless.
Rated 29 Nov 2023
11
5th
Holy shit how can anyone take this seriously.
Rated 15 Feb 2023
82
70th
Very earnest about the whole "people are amazing, even if it seems they really aren't" angle, but it succeeds in managing this tone, not often getting syrupy with its sentimentalism, and still viewing the utter despair of Charlie's self-imposed situation. Less about obesity and more about self-hatred, I can totally relate! Had a whale of a time! A bit too much crying though, and the ending is derivative of two other Aronofsky movies (can't say which ones, otherwise that's a spoiler).
Rated 25 Feb 2023
68
34th
audiovisual 70 acting 85 overall 50 avg 68
Rated 06 Jun 2023
3
28th
Felt conflicted with this one.
Rated 10 Mar 2023
84
83rd
I liked it more than I expected. Fraser is phenomenal, but far from being alone here. Aronofsky can direct in a room too.
Rated 24 Feb 2023
55
25th
"kimsenin kimseyi kurtarabileceğine inanmıyorum."
Rated 11 Jan 2023
94
74th
Very somber and intense film, subject matter and performances, especially by Brendan Fraser, but well worth watching.
Rated 28 Dec 2023
80
83rd
Very compelling drama, only slightly held back by the over-the-top characters. A little bit too heavy handed in execution for me, but the script leads it all through a competently executed narrative.
Rated 28 Apr 2023
80
68th
Brendan Frasier and Hong Chau are AMAZING. It's the rest of the film that is a letdown.
Rated 09 Feb 2023
76
68th
Opinión personal: 7.5 Actores: 9 Guión: 7.5 Planos/técnicas: 7 BSO: 7.5 Otros:7 Iluminación:- FX:- Director:7 Humor:- Vestuario:- Metraje: Total: 76
Rated 18 Mar 2023
80
90th
Really compelling stuff, even if it’s mostly a total downer. Great performances from the whole cast, and while it doesn’t feature Aronofsky’s best shots, it still looks good enough considering how confined the location is. Most of the characters are pretty unlikeable, but with what they’ve all been through, I can’t exactly blame them. I don’t think I’d ever watch it again (tbh, that’s true for quite a bit of Aronofsky’s filmography), but I certainly found it worthwhile.
Rated 04 Mar 2023
75
68th
I would honestly love to see Fraser win the Oscar for this, he truly gives the performance of his career. However, Colin Farrell takes it for me for Banshees. Still doesn't beat Requiem for a Dream as my favourite Aronofsky film.
Rated 21 Jul 2023
40
38th
Poor acting. Premise has promise, but didn't keep my interest. Characters are unrelatable. Repeated theme of the poem seems like an attempt to be artsy that ends up being dumb.
Rated 02 Mar 2023
66
39th
Certainly not one of the people that outright hate this movie but I’m just disappointed because Aronofsky had truly went off the deep end with mother! and I wanted him to keep digging deeper. Instead he reverts back to his mid career stuff. Good performance by Fraser but I think the acclaim is more for the meta textual than the actual movie
Rated 08 Dec 2022
25
21st
The fusion of the sentimental and the visceral is the narrative engine that drives The Whale, Aronofsky’s worst film to date, one that seeks to affirm Charlie’s humanity but cannot imagine him far enough beyond a conceit. Most of the conflicts in The Whale are overcooked nonsense, contrived for dramatic impact but divorced from any recognizable reality.
Rated 04 Jan 2023
62
30th
Great performances but the script itself is clunky and doesn't trust the audience to put 2 and 2 together
Rated 24 Feb 2023
87
89th
Woahsadieandshenasty-secretlydyingsopayingallhismoneytohelpherwithschoolworklol-makeshimtrywalking+lmaodiesathehatefulhaikou+lmaokeptherfromhimcuzshesaterror/thinkbadmom/thenthoughtshe'dhurtyou+INEEDTOKNOWTHATIHAVEDONEONETHINGRIGHTWITHMYLIFE:'(+showsonlineclass-collegeetcdoesntmatterhonestthingsyouwrotedo-tosscpulol+itwasheressay-readittome-daddyplease!:'(+walkstoherthenlikerosetoheaven-whichwouldbeareallyhorriblethingifhediedrighttherelool
Rated 16 Jan 2023
88
52nd
The story of a man who lost his wife because he was gay. His partner committed suicide because of depression or something and then he got obese because he could not handle it. His daughter with his ex-wife hates him for leaving her when she was 11. The ending was really powerful, with him dying and declining to go to the hospital because he didn't want to spend the money that he was saving for his daughter. Before he dies he makes his daughter read the story that she's written when she was 11.
Rated 09 Jul 2023
79
88th
Plot 12/20 Fiction 17/20 Casting/Acting 19/20 Worldbuilding 18/20 Entertainment 13/20
Rated 23 Feb 2023
4
16th
Fraser does as well as he can, fighting through misery, prosthetics and lame dialogue to make his protagonist sympathetic. Chau is good, and it’s disappointing when she disappears for most of the second half. The grating Sink fares less well, both in her scenes with Simpkins’ missionary with a secret (a subplot which adds little) and Fraser, their final scene so shamelessly corny that I almost admire Aronofsky's audacity. Trite and stagy, but with just about enough virtues to hold the attention.
Rated 10 Sep 2023
80
66th
Powerhouse performances and a touching story highlight this movie.
Rated 12 Mar 2023
75
53rd
While not breaking new ground, the plot offers a poignant and heartwarming story that will resonate with audiences who enjoy character-driven dramas. The acting is strong, the pacing is solid, and the themes are handled with sensitivity and care, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.
Rated 03 Apr 2023
5
57th
Never thought Aronofsky would be the one to take a stab at the Moviebob biopic. I’m not quite sure what to make of it all (it was a lot to digest LMAO). Fraser is excellent as advertised & awarded. The rest of the movie is a bit mopey, a bit chamber-piecey, and the scenes without Charlie - namely the stuff with the missionary guy and the nurse and / or the daughter - are pretty rough bro. Overall I reckon I’d be far more inclined to rewatch The Wrestler.
Rated 05 Sep 2023
70
83rd
eng; [the whale]; ein lehrer hat nach dem verlust der liebe seines lebens ein einsames und gewichtgeplagtes leben gewählt - und dann kommt unvermittelt seine tochter vorbei.; (charakter hat eine fixiertheit auf status quo);
Rated 25 Feb 2023
20
1st
Miserability at its very worst. I actually dread rewatching pre-Noah Aronofsky films and just not come out alive after doing so.
Rated 02 Jul 2023
74
37th
Psychological drama. Reminded me of The Father. Yes, Fraser is great. Sadie Sink was a tad annoying. I don't really get the point of the gay angle but I'm sure if someone explained it to me it would make a tad more sense, but maybe not. Can definitely see this as a play, which I'm just gonna assume this was based off of. What a way to end it too, polarizing for sure. Can't say I was a fan but I respect doing something different, I guess. Is there a point or is it just a character study?
Rated 12 Mar 2023
80
71st
11.03.2023, Falmer/Brighton UK
Rated 20 Mar 2023
75
74th
As someone who has been morbidly obese for the better part of their life (but nowhere near Charlie's condition), this was painful to watch. I saw a lot of myself in him. Very good movie for self-reflection. Don't go in expecting a masterpiece, but a really fucking heavy play. And your traditional Darren Aronofsky fuckery.
Rated 26 Feb 2023
85
94th
Moving, touching, Brendan Fraser on top of his game ! Best 2022 movie
Rated 18 Jan 2023
60
46th
A slow burn from Aronofsky is always something I look forward to, but this doesn't have his trademark striking styling to connect subtext with imagery. Because of this, the script loses all subtlety and makes all subtext just plain text. The Whale has a lot of moments with emotional impact, to be sure, but there are a lot of times where it just tries too damn hard for its own good. Fraser is likely going to win an Oscar for this, and he should, but this film doesn't have much to offer elsewhere.
Rated 17 Dec 2022
30
5th
naw
Rated 13 Mar 2023
78
65th
Sadie Sink, please just retire from acting, or at least stop making faces.
Rated 02 Mar 2023
60
50th
I don't know about this one. On the one hand the trappings of the melodrama had a distancing effect on me while watching the film. However, when exchanging interpretations of the themes with a friend afterwards made me appreciate the script more.
Rated 15 Feb 2023
80
89th
Darren Aronofsky'den 1 çılgınlık. Obez olan 1 profesörü, tek başına yaşamaktadır. Hayatının son 1 haftasını, hatalarıyla yüzleşecektir. Brendan Franser'in en zor rolünü oynadığı film, Hong Chau'nun muhteşem oyunculuğu ile büyülüyor. Etkileyici ve sarsıcı. Kötü insanlardan, kendini dışlamak. Yaptığımız hataları, içimizdeki yaşadığımız hayatta bulmak. Yalnız mutlu 1 hayat ararken, yarattığımız bencil kötülük. Filmin sonunda, Moby Dick. Tuta tuta çatlayacaksın be adam.
Rated 21 Jan 2023
35
7th
Guy in a fat suit giving you the business about authenticity. Eighth graders are not reading Moby Dick. Et cetera. For every morsel of depth or compassion afforded to those who suffer this way, there is a mouthful of contrived writerly gristle to spit out.
Rated 19 Jun 2023
79
71st
İlk dakikadan son saniyeye kadar ilgi ile izlenen, Fraiser'in döktürdüğü film.
Rated 05 Feb 2023
58
40th
Conflicted about this one: Thought I wouldn't like it beyond Fraser's turn, and not only is his performance not that astounding (good, but Butler and Farrell did better); I'm sure I'd have liked it more than "Banshees" or "Fabelmans" if not for the obnoxious daughter character. Really, I feel like every scene featuring Sink took one point off my final score.
Rated 17 Mar 2024
88
94th
Wheezing Las Vegas. Hard to watch, can't look away. Brendan earned that Oscar.
Rated 07 Feb 2023
6
44th
Feels stagy but the restricted setting matches the reality of Charlie. This is a bleak , thought provoking character study with a stellar performance from Brendan Fraser.
Rated 26 Apr 2023
92
69th
Brendan Frasers best Performance Sadie Sink was great too
Rated 04 Jul 2023
48
36th
a grotesque film, not only due to its revolting eating scenes but also its conception of the daughter character, an abusive teenager with daddy issues, whose contrived, grating dialogue stinks up every scene she's in. this undermines the main character's sole motivation of reconnecting with her, and actually, none of the characters' motivations really stand up to scrutiny. while it has a couple of thoughtful moments, this drama ends up sinking under its own weight, pardon the pun.
Rated 24 Feb 2023
66
72nd
Brilliant Acting!!!
Rated 04 Mar 2023
82
70th
The Whale thrives on the acting performances. Brendan Fraser is obviously the highlight, but Hong Chau and Sadie Sink really elevate both his performance and the film itself. The story might be revolutionary, but the story of a miserable obese man really made me miserable as well.
Rated 22 Jan 2024
72
81st
good movie
Rated 09 Mar 2023
8
75th
Despite some weaknesses in the first act, “The Whale” is a powerful and moving film with fantastic performances and excellent direction. Brendan Fraser’s performance alone is worth the price of admission, and the final emotional shot will leave audiences gasping and in tears.
Rated 17 Apr 2023
9
74th
I kept mentally begging characters, "Be nice to him, just be nice to him, just love him" and it punched me in the heart when they weren't. Even when they were trying to be. Maybe especially when they were trying to be. Too relatable, for me, and I'm sure for many people, whether through experience or empathy. For a movie so forthcoming, I think this will have surprising rewatch value just because it makes me feel deeply understood. I don't think people get to feel that very often.
Rated 09 Jun 2023
62
28th
A play adaptation that’s actually engaging mostly due to the Fraser-Chau dynamic. But even though his weight is the main premise of the film it has disappointingly little impact on anything except some scenes played for shock that don’t work all that well to begin with. It is hard to get anything out of the forceful positives moments, especially when they are undercut by an overly dramatic score. In the end it achieves the opposite, no development and a feeling between depressed and weirded out.
Rated 12 Nov 2023
90
87th
Incredibly engrossing drama.
Rated 09 Jan 2023
40
38th
It held my attention, but the would-be-tearjerking ending left me cold, compared to something like, say, "CODA", which had me blubbering.
Rated 16 Apr 2023
91
70th
1948: good job.
Rated 19 Mar 2023
60
89th
Uncomfortable on many levels. Brendan Fraser great in many scenes, but the side plot stuff felt distracting. I don't know how to feel about this one. Definitely a experience I wouldn't want to be without, but it's also one I won't be rushing to experience again.
Rated 29 Apr 2023
36
23rd
Woke up still so ANNOYED about this movie
Rated 22 Feb 2023
60
35th
Fraser is really good. The film itself is not. It starts off well enough, but the cracks start to appear when the religious loony does, then it veers off course with a silly sub-plot between him and the one-dimensional daughter, then it throws in the confused ex, which dials up the sentimentality until everything takes a nosedive off a cliff in the final scene. It could have been great with better writing and a final half hour with the same tone as the first, but that's not how Aronofsky rolls
Rated 26 Feb 2023
70
60th
Considering Darren Aronofsky's career, The Whale may be an ordinary project for him. In fact, everything about the film may be predictable, or it may be a familiar melodrama, but how it's written and directing matters. Brendan Fraser carries the burden and pain of the character given to him so well that it is impossible not to be amazed. I felt like I was trapped inside that house with him.
Rated 07 Jan 2024
80
63rd
It has been so long since an Aronofsky-movie that I had forgotten how much I gel with his sensibilities. For some reason I was not looking forward to this but once again Aronofsky shows me why I love him so. This movie captures the feeling of addiction and self-loathing like only Aronofsky can. While the music, and thus the emotion, is insistent, I never minded and was taken along for the ride. Fraser gives a quintessential Aronofsky performance, raw and brutal honesty on screen.
Rated 05 Feb 2023
83
84th
It's the right side of the Oscar baiting line for me, so the drama works as opposed to feeling forced. It really helps to have strong performances throughout, from Fraser to Sink to Chau. (Samantha Morton is never bad in anything, a knock out cameo). It feels like a converted play, but the constricted environment plays into the film and the themes.
Rated 27 Feb 2023
51
49th
The Whale tries to illicit tears from its audience, but in my case, it doesn't work. It does get some form of empathy from me, and my full attention. But overall, I just didn't care for the brand of claustrophobic misery on display. Well acted, well told, strangely mesmerizing, but just not for me, or for a lot of people I imagine.

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