THE WHALE

Director: Darren Aronofsky

2022, 117min., R

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau, Sadie Sink, Samantha Morton, Ty Simpkins

 

Accepting this year’s Critics Choice Award for Best Actor, Brendan Fraser said “This movie is about love. It’s about redemption. It’s about finding the light in a dark place.” Fraser’s triumph in The Whale is one of the most deserved comebacks in recent memory. A box office star in 90s’ films like George of the Jungle and The Mummy trilogy, Fraser dropped out of view – until his deeply empathetic performance as a gay online English professor who is struggling with obesity and a lack of connection with his daughter (Sadie Sink from Stranger Things). The Whale is also a change of direction for filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, whose previous movies (Pi, The Black Swan, mother!) were known for edgy provocation over compassion.

 

“Fraser is absolutely extraordinary in a tour de force performance that ranges from subtle to shattering…it’s more than essential viewing — it’s some kind of miracle..” – Peter Travers, ABC news.