REVIEW: THE WHALE

3.5/5

The Father.

117 Mins. Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins & Samantha Morton. Director: Darren Aronofsky.

Moby-Dick is what anchors 'The Whale', not some gross gag in one of last year's best pictures that only jerks tears...despite the opening scene. There's a dignity to Brendan Fraser's Best Actor Oscar winning performance beyond the prosthetics that takes this stage play to the adapted acclaim of the big screen. It's no suit shaming like fellow Academy Award-winning actor Gary Oldman as Churchill in the 'Darkest Hour' of 2017. Going through hell and still going like the waters of trying to take down the biggest whale, this labour of love of family and life itself from Fraser is formidable. Aggravated in emotion and what lies beneath the shadowy frames of family drama. It's beyond the escape eating and debasing of a morbidly obese man, or the opinions that they should have got someone closer to the real weight truth to play this part. They always say these things. But acting is acting, and Fraser makes you feel the weight of every emotion. Besides, we are past the 'Raging Bull' days when gaining, or losing weight for roles like a Christian Bale 'Machinist' is beyond method, but actually madness to one's long term health. 

Casting 'The Mummy' star Fraser as this dear dad, who over the last few years of Internet trends has become a cult hero gone viral, is a master move. One because this compelling character and actor of great empathy will make those who think size matters think twice when it comes to the man behind the disabled webcam. Ready to teach you a lesson in more than English for your group Zoom and right any wrongs as you write your truth. Big is beautiful, but the trials of the clinically obese go way beyond those who shame and name call. It's a health issue, both mental and physical that deserves both our kindness and our understanding. It's not disgusting. 

Comfort eating, or more appropriately, the chemical addiction certain junk foods give us when all else is lost like our dopamine levels can be just as much of a problem as alcoholism, or drug addiction when it leads to life or death problems. Just a more overlooked one. Especially when the other two are wrongly romanticized, especially in mainstream media. And the recovery and relapse, much more revered. Whereas this issue is ridiculed. Remember, there was a time when depression carried shaming stigma not so long ago too. As it happens all addiction should be treated just as seriously and celebrated in its recovery just as passionately. No matter how short the steps. No matter how far the end goal remains. If ever truly reached. 

The juxtaposition of Fraser's Charlie character's weight gain after his lost lover practically emaciated himself to the end isn't just one from the play poetry play book, but the cruel twist and real turns of fate itself. Just like the ties that bind in family who make mistakes that will take generations to break. That's what makes 'The Whale' such a compelling play and cinematic adaptation like 'The Father' and 'The Son' to come from Florian Zeller. Now it's on 'Black Swan' and 'The Wrestler' surreal, psychological drama director Darren Aronofsky to take Samuel D. Hunter's play from stage to screen after the 'mother!' of all clusterf###s (still a movie like few else though). Darren's dark designs and haunting religious tones really help 'The Whale' soar like that famous free killer one, even as it mostly sticks to the Playbill script with all due respect to a classic. Like Fraser watching another legendary 'Frasier'. 

Speaking of those who levitate, levitate, levitate like Kendrick Lamar, with all the just Oscar hype Brendan Fraser received, earned and then won, how about Sadie Sink? She already stole the show and our hearts by the graveside of 'Dear Billy' in the last season of 'Stranger Things' as she rose like Kate Bush 'Running Up That Hill' and back up the charts. And here Sink nails a nuanced and even greater performance as Charlie's estranged daughter who shows little love lost. Not mincing any of the harsh words or picture posts that come from those who don't understand, or even don't get how to process their own emotions yet. But give her a break. She's just a kid. And there's method to these maddening feelings too. Hidden behind a scrolling screen and the posts that are as much a cry for help as they are a middle finger to the world these type of teens are already justifiably tired to death of. 

Yeah, you won't have a title of a time watching this. Dramas defining Oscar Season are always shaped like this. But there's pleasure in the comeback kids Academy victory like 'Encino Man' (absolute classic) Ke Huy Quan's Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Everything, everywhere, all at once, can you imagine if his Short Round had a cameo in the new 'Indiana Jones' movie? But back to it, there's more that lies beneath the water of 'The Whale' than a legendary lead and the artistic integrity of the magnificent make-up department. In this acclaimed A24 (the best production company from 'Everything' to the Netflix 'Beef') movie, 'Downsizing' standout Hong Chau deserves The Academy love like her yes chef aid did in the restaurant script flipping Oscar overlooked Ralph Fiennes 'Menu'.

 

Ditto to Samantha Morton, the 'Minority Report' bold breakout star on the year of her career with this and another Academy ignored classic, 'She Said'. Even 'Jurassic World' and 'Iron Man 3' star Ty Simpkins shows mettle as a young missionary not doing it exactly by the good book (make that 'Iron Lad' movie already, Marvel. The kid is growing up before our eyes). Moments of cruel heartbreak harpoon this Whale when you thought there was light at the end of the tunnel in the middle of this ocean. And one powerhouse speech sinks the Oscar shot. But there's a moving meaning in the message that lies below this movie and the man behind the mask that makes up even more. Bringing a beauty in all this brutality to the surface as the tide touches your toes. Let it wash over you. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Minari', 'Mother!', 'The Father'.