The Whale was directed by Darren Aronofsky and stars Branden Fraser as a 600 lb morbidly obese English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter. This film was nothing but the most talked about because of Brandon Fraser, as he not only got praised for his performance by critics and audiences, but he got a 6-minute standing ovation, which many cite as his return to cinema. And as someone who has been hearing the news about it and finally went out to go see it. I honestly thought it was Fraser's best work. A depressing movie about someone who lost someone special to him, and because of that he gained so much weight. Honestly, I am someone who doesn't pity people like that because I always find an alternative to something in life that is going wrong. But for some reason because, of Fraser's performance, I like Charlie. And I do now know why Fraser got an Oscar performance for this film, as he carried this film. Now because, of Fraser, I do also believe that Chau, Sink, and Simpkins were also great for their parts. They were great but had serious flaws. I understand why the audience hates Ellie as she is an annoying contemptible fool to people, especially to Charlie. But I can somewhat see her perspective, on why she loaded Charlie, as she has gotten to a point on why she would her father care so much for someone now than later. This happen to my cousin as his father left him when he was young and treated his father like whatever. So I can understand her character as I know someone who is dealing with that as well. Simpkins was good as someone who wanted to help Charlie due to his beliefs, and while I am someone who does believe in an afterlife. I was a bit disappointed with the way they treat religion and someone who wanted to help in any certain way, but again that is something that this film explores. However, Hong Chau, aka Liz, was someone who I wanted to like but I just didn't. I don't know why but I wasn't fond of her character. Even though Chau gave a phenomenal performance, I even do understand that Alan was her brother and wanted to help him out in and certain way, as she is wanting to help Charlie by giving him food, even though it's killing him. I can go on and tell her flaws, but I will say at the end of the day, I understand why she is what she is. Overall, I can understand why Darren put this film, on hold for so long, and if not for Fraser, the majority would've slept on this film. 9/10.
