Brendan Fraser should win every award possible for his role in THE WHALE. This would have been a very easy role to stereotype, yet Fraser made it complex, compelling, full of vulnerability and heart. This film succeeds because of Fraser's performance.
Otherwise the film struggled.
WHAT WORKED: Tonally it worked. It had a dark, dramatic feel, the eating scenes were hard to watch, because you felt the pain of the character. The Production Design also worked well. The relationship between Charlie and Liz was the most believable, compelling, and grounded. I also didn't mind the aspect ratio, a bold and jarring choice at first, but you quickly realize it makes Charlie seem bigger in the frame, and this also works. Sound design worked well and the score (though at times a bit too dramatic) also served the film.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK: Because it was based on a play it was filmed much like a play. The blocking was really distracting, characters would get up and walk two steps then turn around, making human actions and purpose a bit unbelievable. There was overacting and overly dramatic performances especially from Ellie and Mary. Ellie was supposed to be a hurt and broken teen, yet it was played one note, with the same intensity from beginning to end. With the exception of Ellie's last line "Daddy!" the entire time she's on screen the actress portrays the same over the top actions, lacking in subtlety, nuance and emotional range. Even Samantha Morton who I consider to be a fantastic actress has some moments where it feels overacted/over the top and disingenuous, which makes me wonder if it was directed this way (as a play might have been on a stage). The writing was also at times a problem. It was hard to believe character motivations at times for why they would do certain things. The character of Thomas's want didnt' see earned or strong enough, the main purpose of his existence in the story was to give Ellie a "person to save" but the continued appearance of Thomas's character felt unearned and at times unbelievable, and when his true mission is revealed it's not some big altering reveal, more of a forced, and lack-luster one. Overall, some script/story decisions felt forced and convenient. Compared to Aronovsky's Pi, Requiem for a Dream, and Black Swan, The Whale is forgettable, lacking that "je ne sais quoi" that exists in Aronovsky's earlier works. But all of that aside, BRAVO to Branden Fraser who deserves to bask in every glory for his stellar performance as Charlie.
Otherwise the film struggled.
WHAT WORKED: Tonally it worked. It had a dark, dramatic feel, the eating scenes were hard to watch, because you felt the pain of the character. The Production Design also worked well. The relationship between Charlie and Liz was the most believable, compelling, and grounded. I also didn't mind the aspect ratio, a bold and jarring choice at first, but you quickly realize it makes Charlie seem bigger in the frame, and this also works. Sound design worked well and the score (though at times a bit too dramatic) also served the film.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK: Because it was based on a play it was filmed much like a play. The blocking was really distracting, characters would get up and walk two steps then turn around, making human actions and purpose a bit unbelievable. There was overacting and overly dramatic performances especially from Ellie and Mary. Ellie was supposed to be a hurt and broken teen, yet it was played one note, with the same intensity from beginning to end. With the exception of Ellie's last line "Daddy!" the entire time she's on screen the actress portrays the same over the top actions, lacking in subtlety, nuance and emotional range. Even Samantha Morton who I consider to be a fantastic actress has some moments where it feels overacted/over the top and disingenuous, which makes me wonder if it was directed this way (as a play might have been on a stage). The writing was also at times a problem. It was hard to believe character motivations at times for why they would do certain things. The character of Thomas's want didnt' see earned or strong enough, the main purpose of his existence in the story was to give Ellie a "person to save" but the continued appearance of Thomas's character felt unearned and at times unbelievable, and when his true mission is revealed it's not some big altering reveal, more of a forced, and lack-luster one. Overall, some script/story decisions felt forced and convenient. Compared to Aronovsky's Pi, Requiem for a Dream, and Black Swan, The Whale is forgettable, lacking that "je ne sais quoi" that exists in Aronovsky's earlier works. But all of that aside, BRAVO to Branden Fraser who deserves to bask in every glory for his stellar performance as Charlie.