[Nicolai P. Zwar]

The Whale (Darren Aronofsky, 2022)

Great movie with an outstanding Brandan Fraser as morbidly obese teacher Charlie, and Fraser rightfully received the “Best Actor” Academy Award for his daring performance. It is Fraser’s performance that is central to the movie, yet while the movie takes places entirely at Charlie’s rundown home, the conflicts and drama played out are much larger in scope. It’s just Charlie cannot leave his home, he’s basically a “beached” whale. In fact, while the movie’s title at first glance seems to refer to Charlie because of his size, there are many allusions to Hermann Melville’s “Moby Dick” and there are a number of “whales and Ahabs” in the story.
Terrifically written (originally a stage play), and superbly acted, this is one good, moving film. Thumbs way up.