“The Whale” Is Gut-wrenching, But It’s Worth Our Tears
I watched The Whale without knowing much about it. In fact, I dove into the movie thinking it would be an uplifting and meaningful movie about how a severely obese and house-bound man inspired those around him.
I was so wrong.
The Whale is not a movie made for enjoyment. It is relentlessly heavy and intentionally claustrophobic. Everything from the movie’s 4:3 ratio to the heavy rain and the stairs were meant to emphasize Charlie’s isolation and loneliness.
I also appreciate how the soundtrack conveyed the mood of The Whale. The music was foreboding, melancholic, yet magnificent. There’s something about it that made me feel like I’m at sea. It definitely accentuated the emotional impact of the movie.
Here’s what I got from The Whale.
Charlie in The Whale
Charlie, played by Brendan Fraser, was likable from the beginning. His voice worked in his favor even when he was just a dark rectangle. It was kind and vulnerable, just like his eyes, as I later found out.
It was easy to empathize with him, which makes The Whale even harder to watch, right from the beginning too.
