The Whale a moving story of demons and redemption

Brendan Fraser delivers a revelatory, tour-de-force performance in ‘The Whale’, the latest offering from Darren Aronofsky, Director of modern classics including ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Requiem for a Dream’. Based on the stage play by Samuel D Hunter, this, at times, confronting drama is a moving character-study of a sensitive soul battling his demons and seeking redemption.

Fraser plays Charlie, an online literature teacher who lives a solitary life and is morbidly obese, using food to numb his feelings of guilt and shame. Unfortunately for Charlie, his binge eating has left him mostly immobile and suffering from a potentially deadly heart condition.

Charlie’s only friend is Liz (Hong Chau), a nurse whose love and concern are not enough to convince him to make changes to his lifestyle and seek medical help. Enter Ellie (Sadie Sink, TV’s ‘Stranger Things’), Charlie’s estranged teenage daughter with ulterior motives who agrees to meet with her dad despite her often-cruel hostility towards him. We learn that Charlie left her and her mother to be with his boyfriend, a former student who was raised in a repressively religious family. The film’s quartet of characters is completed with Thomas (Ty Simpkins), a door-knocking missionary who is convinced Charlie’s spiritual salvation rests with him.

‘The Whale’s theatrical origins are occasionally noticeable, making parts of the film feel stagey. 

However, the emotional power of its screenplay and the top-notch performances on display, including the ever-reliable Samantha Morton in a small but pivotal role, make this a memorable queer-themed cinema experience.

Film Review: This is not Brendan Fraser’s first foray into gay-themed cinema. Readers may recall his appearance in 1998’s excellent ‘Gods and Monsters’, co-starring Ian McKellen. Fraser’s turn in ‘The Whale’ has been critically acclaimed and deservedly so. He is a hot contender for this year’s Best Actor Oscar, and his nomination is well-deserved recognition of his courageous and completely unselfconscious performance.

 It’s hard to believe this is the same actor who we’ve enjoyed as eye-candy in light comedies such as ‘Encino Man’ and ‘George of the Jungle’, as well as the heartthrob lead of ‘The Mummy’ trilogy. 

The Whale’ will be remembered as a showcase for Fraser’s up-until-now underused skill in meaty dramatic roles and signals his re-emergence from the Hollywood wilderness. If you enjoy thought-provoking and challenging queer cinema, ‘The Whale’ is must-see viewing guaranteed to stay with you long after the final credits have rolled.

The Whale

• Director – Darren Aronofsky
• 117 minutes – Drama 
• Playing at: Dendy Canberra, Palace Electric, Hoyts-Belconnen
• Rated M - Mature themes, sexual references, drug use and coarse language
• Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton.