Pressure

 

Pressure

The story of D-Day is well documented; still, this film captures the intense pressure to launch the invasion and the critical role of the meteorological forecast. This all sounds very technical, but it's just a background for some outstanding acting.

The story begins three days before D-Day, when Eisenhower demands that his meteorological team provide a forecast with certainty. The Scottish Group Captain James Stagg is appointed chief meteorologist, and he soon clashes with the American Colonel Irving P. Kirk. Kirk has served with Eisenhower on several campaigns, so he has Eisenhower's confidence.

General Eisenhower is played by Brendan Fraser. He gives an intense performance, capturing the immense pressure of Eisenhower’s decision to launch the largest sea and air invasion and putting thousands of soldiers’ lives in peril. He wants certainty in the forecasts, but what he gets is conflicting opinions. This uncertainty is the crux of the movie.

Andrew Scott plays James Stagg; he delivers a brilliant performance. He is very confident in his forecast and remains steadfast even in the face of Eisenhower’s haranguing. Eisenhower never lets up on the pressure, and Stagg does not bend.

Chris Messina plays Irving Kirk. His confidence borders on arrogance, and his antagonism toward Stagg is palpable. Kirk relies on historical weather patterns, whereas Stagg argues that the North Sea is unpredictable and that weather patterns can shift within the same day.

Another important character is Kay Summersby, portrayed by Kerry Condon. She is Ike’s personal assistant and something of a whisperer, calming him and chiding him. There are salacious stories about Ike and Kay, but that is for another movie.

I learned something new from this film, Operation Tiger. This was a rehearsal for the invasion. Slapton Sands was the site of the exercise because it resembled Utah Beach. Live ammunition was used to accustom soldiers and recruits to the sounds and smells of combat. There was a miscommunication about the start time of the exercise, and when the bombardments began, more than 700 servicemen were killed by friendly fire.

Aside from the story's historical nature, the film is well-scripted and well-acted. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 87%.

 

The Whale

 

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.