Synopsis

In the Whale movie, Charlie is a reclusive English teacher in Idaho who never leaves his apartment and hides his obesity. He hosts online writing courses for college students, but his webcam is always switched off. His nurse and only friend, Liz, urges him to seek medical help, but Charlie refuses due to financial concerns.

Charlie’s only hope is to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Ellie, whom he hasn’t seen in eight years. He offers her money to spend time with him, but she agrees only if he helps her with a school essay. During her visits, Ellie secretly records Charlie’s conversations with Thomas, a missionary who wants to save Charlie’s soul.

As Charlie’s health declines, Liz brings him a wheelchair, but Ellie secretly slips sleeping pills into his sandwich. After he falls asleep, she records Thomas confessing to stealing money from his youth group. When Mary, Charlie’s ex-wife, visits, Ellie’s secret meetings with her father are revealed, causing tension.

Charlie experiences a severe binge-eating episode after the pizza delivery driver accidentally sees him, causing him to send a profanity-laden email to his students. Thomas visits one last time and attempts to preach to Charlie, but he rejects Thomas’s homophobia.

In his final online class, Charlie reads his students’ honest submissions and switches on his webcam for the first time. Feeling guilty for abandoning him, Liz comforts Charlie as he nears death. Ellie visits him one last time and reads him an essay, causing him to stand up and float toward her as they are engulfed in light.

Critique

The Whale movie is a film that moves and inspires with its poignant story and exceptional performances. Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau bring their impressive acting skills to the fore under the masterful direction of Darren Aronofsky, capturing the sense of confinement and isolation felt by protagonist Charlie with an exercise in claustrophobia.

Samuel D. Hunter’s exceptional writing is nuanced and emotionally resonant, exploring topics such as sexuality, addiction, and religious intolerance with sensitivity and care. The result is a movie that offers a thought-provoking and heartrending window into the human condition.

Matthew Libatique‘s cinematography is outstanding, emphasizing Charlie’s pervasive sense of confinement through the indoor setting and occasional exterior views of the low-rise building where he lives.

The performances are exceptional, with Brendan Fraser bringing depth and nuance to his portrayal of Charlie that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Hong Chau is equally excellent as Charlie’s friend and caretaker, Liz, offering a sense of compassion and warmth that provides a welcome counterpoint to the film’s often intense emotional scenes.

Overall, “The Whale” is a remarkable film that powerfully explores the human condition. The writer, director, and cast have created a work of art that is both beautiful and inspiring, despite the difficult and emotionally challenging story. Fans of character-driven dramas and emotionally resonant films will not want to miss this must-see cinematic experience.