Despite Brendan Fraser’s impressive performance, ‘The Whale’ was unable to avoid going under

The acclaim Brendan Fraser has earned from movie buffs has led to overblown expectations for “The Whale“. Unfortunately, this film adapted from a stage play taking place in one apartment lacks substance due to its minor characters. Even though Fraser’s performance is commendable, given his make-up disguise, it is not enough to keep the story afloat. This narrative about a forlorn, morose and self-destructive man is similar to Darren Aronofsky’s 2008 flick “The Wrestler” which also focuses on a protagonist confronting his own mortality.

Charlie Fraser, an elderly man of immense size, faces difficulty in breathing and gets around with the aid of a walker. He is confined to his home, with only sustenance and a kind nurse (played by Hong Chau) as his contact with the outside world. As he conducts online literary classes, he is taken aback one day when a missionary (Ty Simpkins) appears at his door at an inconvenient time, as he is going through one of his perilous episodes.

Charlie confesses to Sadie, his daughter (from “Stranger Things”), that he neglected to go to the hospital, which brings to mind the movie “Leaving Las Vegas”. He also expresses his desire to reconnect with her before it is too late. He admits to her that he let his large size become excessive. He then discloses the event that made him gain weight.

Despite her valid grievance, the daughter in ‘The Whale’ – based on a play by Samuel D. Hunter – can be included in the roster of poorly constructed movie teens, who are unable to move between sorrow and fury. The film, named after the novel ‘Moby Dick’ to reflect Charlie’s huge body, did not manage to capture the aspiration and assurance it sought to illustrate in its story about a character whose circumstances are deteriorating.

At the movie event in Venice, the audience reacted enthusiastically with a lengthy standing ovation for “The Whale” even though the production was evidently challenging and Fraser had stepped away from his iconic role in “The Mummy”. Despite the fact that Charlie’s story is quite poignant, the movie does not transcend the limitations between theater and film. It is easy to comprehend Fraser’s yearning for appreciation, however in terms of being eligible for an award, this one did not make the grade.

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