The Whale
This is a sad but joyful movie. Charlie is a home bound six-hundred-pound
English professor who teaches via zoom. He is trapped in his body. His partner Alan
is dead, and Charlie is trying to reconnect with his daughter. This parental dynamic
is one of the chapters in this layered story.
Brendan Fraser gives a hugh performance. Fraser portrays Charlie
with deep pathos. On the surface he looks repulsive, and he hides his appearance
from his zoom students and from the pizza delivery man. But Charlie is a caring
individual who is not defined by his appearance. He pushes his students to
write honest essays. He dearly loves his daughter and is torn by guilt by his
absence. Fraser displays all these emotions. Castigating himself as pathetic, he
remains resilient in the potential of people.
What makes this story rich are the supporting actors. Supporting
is an inadequate adjective to describe their great performances. Hong Chau is his
nurse and his only friend. She plays the role with tough love. There is a special
connection between them that weaves into the story. She is tough but tender.
Sadie Sink is Ellie his estranged daughter. Sink performs
the role with explosive energy. She is disrespectful, angry and belittles her father.
At the same time, she feels abandoned by him and misses his affection. Her
performance is eclipsed only by Fraser.
Ty Simpkins is Thomas, a missionary for the New Life Church.
He is trying to bring Jesus into Charlie’s life and won’t take no for an
answer. He is the object of abuse from Ellie. His role lightens the mode of the
story.
On the outside the whale may not be appealing but it is a message
of hope wrapped a different way.
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