Nick Clement takes a look at the movie that gifted Brendan Fraser his much deserved Oscar award. The first time the actor has won such an accolade. Take a look at what Nick thought of the movie in his The Whale review.

In a town in Idaho, Charlie, a reclusive and unhealthy English teacher, hides out in his flat and eats his way to death. He is desperate to reconnect with his teenage daughter for a last chance at redemption.

This was an intense and depressing film, a great one-time-viewing title if there ever was one; I’m glad I saw it, but I’m not sure if I need to see it again.

Darren Aronofsky has always enjoyed pummelling his audience on an emotionally visceral level, and his newest provocation is no exception.

There’s an inner rage to this haunting piece of work that feels born out of one of America’s most troubling and under-discussed issues – morbid obesity – and the way Brendan Fraser brought his character to life, with the aid of some breathtaking CGI “digital make-up,” is nothing short of unforgettable.

Based on Samuel D. Hunter’s introspective play of the same name, the thorny film adaptation is purposefully uncomfortable, both in theme and style, and ferociously preformed by the cast (Hong Chau, Sadie Sink, Samantha Morton, and Ty Simpkins were all superb), with Matthew Libatique’s quiet and precise 1.33:1 camera set-ups never interfering with the range of emotions that all of the characters are experiencing.

This will certainly not be an easy viewing experience for most folks, but that’s certainly the intention on the part of the filmmakers, and it’s a picture that’s been designed very much like a horror movie, only with a silent killer instead of a knife-wielding maniac.

Brendan Fraser dials in a performance of a lifetime and whilst it feels like a one time viewing experience it’s one time that will last the distance with you in your heart and mind.

It’s a 5-star powerhouse of a movie with a 5-star powerhouse performance that earned Brendan Fraser a deserved Oscar. He stood head and shoulders above the rest with this incredible performance and he was every bit deserving of this prestigious award. The Whale is a phenomenal movie but a movie that hits so hard in so many areas I don’t think many could bare giving it a rewatch.

The Whale is another challenging piece of work from A24, who remains the most important movie studio currently putting out feature films.

The Whale Review by Nick Clement