The Whale Explained | Ending + Plot Details | Brendan Fraser

[@malikpadilla7610]

I honestly think that the pizza man didn’t react the way he did for solely because of his appearance, but because he may have felt partially responsible for aiding and enabling the slow death of the man in front of him. Even if he unknowingly did so. That amplified by the concern he was feeling before the reveal.

[@TheNerdDoc]

I can see that. But he was also just doing his job. It's not like he could refuse to give him the pizza or something. I mean he could, but that would be unlikely. I'd like to think if it was concern he might've stuck around or at least said something more to Charlie, but given the fact that he didn't, and that was the last time we saw him for the rest of the movie, I feel as though it wasn't a pleasant look, but it could go either way really

[@razberrycorvet21]

That's what I was thinking too - you could tell he was concerned about Charlie by the way he introduced himself and asking if he was okay. I think he may have been experiencing some feelings of guilt for blindly delivering pizzas for so long and if he had made an effort to introduce himself sooner and show some interest and care into Charlie's wellbeing, that maybe it wouldn't have gotten to as far as it did

[@jimherold7827]

I had not considered that.. Makes sense.

[@KK-pm7ud]

@@TheNerdDoc That's a very basic way to examine people, life, and motives. There aren't only binary ways to react to a situation. This movie doesn't spoon feed you things and has a lot more to it as people think about it more; and from different frames of reference. The pizza delivery guy's reaction could have been different from the students' reaction for many different reasons that don't even have to do with how a person is naturally and in a less stressed state. I feel too many critics are looking at this film from a very surface level standpoint and don't really spend much time with it. Watching it again after several years would probably give someone a greater perspective and a better ability to really think about it.

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@KK-pm7ud It's also a movie written with very specific characters, and plot in mind. Unless the writer deliberately wanted the pizza guy's reaction to be ambiguous, he would've written a reaction that indicates there's more to it than just disgust. The whole movie Charlie was afraid to show himself in public because of that exact reaction. It was the reaction he got from his students, and there's really no indication the pizza guy had a different reaction, especially after showing compassion before he knew what Charlie looked like. It also helped drive home the fact that Charlie was ready to die

[@bevloy7517]

In my head Charlie died when Ellie stormed out, before he tried to stand. Everything after was in his head, his optimism which had been highlighted throughout the film and her calling him 'daddy'.

[@TheNerdDoc]

I like that theory!

[@adammorra3813]

Very interesting, sounds plausible

[@ibrake4oxtail]

Just when I thought that the ending couldn't get sadder, this theory appears

[@adammorra3813]

@@ibrake4oxtail it just sucks the daughter is evil. Charlie made poor decisions but he lived his life. Bad impact on his daughter and everyone around him.

[@ledog9674]

I think this is actually what Aronofsky showed us. The contrast between Ellie saying "fuck you" and one second later "daddy please" is so unreal, it is the contrast between the sad reality and the optimism in his head. So he is dying and imagining to stand up (which in reality he could not do, when he tried before). But now it is all happening in his head and he dies happy.

[@connor7048]

The film was frustrating but powerful. Charlie's deep self-pity, his refusal to help himself, was hard to watch. I felt the feeling of shock more than anything. It was exhausting but also realistic as I found myself able to see parts of myself in Charlie, which was not easy to recognize.

[@corneliuspildershmidt]

What parts of yourself do you see in him?

[@aaronwilliams9705]

@@corneliuspildershmidt the fat parts

[@ReviewWingsDSP]

I get the money part. But these past few years taught me to hug more and cry a little bit more often. This is a great movie, but as a father I don’t think I will ever watch it again.

[@burt680]

I eat like a pig, call me Charlie from now on

[@SilVia-hs2kb]

I wouldn't call it self pity, but self destruction. Normal people looked at the parts where he was eating like a lunatic and can be shocked and say" stop". The director did an amazing job at displaying his eating habit as completely out of control substance abuse. Just like watching a drug addict messing up their life, and keep taking another hit. He refused to get help, because he thought he didn't deserve any help, he only made mistakes and leaving the $120k to his daughter was his life's only positive move. We as outsiders can see he should have used it to go take care of his health, maybe get surgery and mental help, improve his health and turn his life around, the problem is HE didn't feel worthy. He was ashamed and he knew he would never get out of his situation, that's why he kept apologizing to everyone.

[@darkslasher9888]

No joke, I spent 20 minutes in my car crying so badly after seeing this movie. I remember one of the trailers showed the scene where Charlie says "I need to know that I have done one thing right with my life." After seeing this movie, that line hits even harder than before. That line made me think about the numerous times I've felt so much hatred for myself for all the times I made decisions that ultimately came to bite me in the ass later on. The line also makes me think about where I currently am in life and I can't help but compare myself to other people my age or younger who have accomplished the lives that will make them happy. I struggle with finding value in myself since I am not the person I truly want to be. A person who others would be happy to have in their lives. A person who has all the confidence to express himself in a genuine honest way. Seeing this movie gave me an opportunity to reflect on my life and now more than ever, I want to finally push myself to get out of the life I am living and be a better person. On a side note, the line also made me think about Brendan Fraser's life and career back then compared to now. I didn't watch too many of his films growing up but I was aware of some of his more popular films such as The Mummy. I also looked into what he's been up to and it broke my heart to hear about his career falling apart but also learning about his messy divorce with his ex-wife. I'm glad that this movie is bringing him back to relevancy. Regardless of whether or not he wins an Oscar (I severely hope he does), I know this movie will revive his career and that more good things can come into his life!

[@iomari1771]

realest reply ever. i felt the exact same way. i struggle with my self-worth and comparing myself to others, this makes me think about trying to keep myself motivated.

[@GalacticoBernabeu]

He won the Oscar 😁

[@RetroLiminal99444]

HE WON AN OSCAR. Very well deserved.

[@dericknmillie]

We all have felt this my guy.. That is why this movie hits so hard. Maybe if we were all just more honest with ourselves within, we wouldn't perceive each other as so ugly.

[@solomonwells9290]

Great comment. If I could give 1 million likes, I would.

[@mattlloydy]

I think part of his reason for walking to Ellie at the end was he knew the exertion would kill him. It was his first time hearing his daughter read her essay and he knew it was the perfect moment.

[@babiegat]

I agree 💯

[@KuromixMel]

I believe Liz was not wrong for not calling 911. Throughout the film she sternly encouraged the hospital to Charlie, but Charlie never wanted to spend the money to try to save himself because he was set on reserving that money only for Ellie. Also in the medical sense, Charlie was kind of beyond saving. Congestive heart failure with treatment can prolong one's life for up to 5 years but still does not eliminate further any underlying health issues. Liz is a good friend who always respected her friend's decision and wishes. She did her very best to help him, but Charlie couldn't help his own self.

[@TheNerdDoc]

That extra five years would've gone a long way toward helping Ellie though. And Charlie could've saved up more money for her during that time. Definitely some pros and cons to Charlie's actions in the film

[@jonnyk5]

@@TheNerdDoc i agree, also love the format and timestamps jn the video, makes it really easy to find anything i was wondering about in the movie.

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@jonnyk5 Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@KK-pm7ud]

Ellie's money was a rationalization. He wanted to die.

[@Samarth0001]

@@TheNerdDoc But that's the tragedy of life, isn't it? We don't think of it this way. Being with someone who's emotionally turbulent and adamant is exhausting. Eventually it comes to the part whether you choose to stay or leave, Liz did. Despite her turmoil of losing her brother, that's what makes her a great friend.

[@gugar02]

I just saw the movie earlier today and it’s definitely left a lasting impression on me. This may be a pessimistic view, and definitely an unpopular opinion if anyone will agree with me. Shortly after finishing it I just had this heavy thought in my head that when Ellie opened the door to leave that the sunlight shining in was just so unnaturally bright in comparison to the entire movie. It sparked a theory in my head that the last scene with Ellie reading her essay didn’t actually happen but was a last hopeful scenario in Charlie’s head as he died. Due to the toll that not only the heart failure but also immense stress during his last week had taken on him, I just had a hard time believing that he was able to get up from the couch the way he did. To be honest I didn’t like Ellie at all, she was terrible to her father and even cursed and belittled him right up to the end of the movie before that scene. So with all that information, my theory of the ending is that when Ellie opened the door to leave, that last act of defiance and cruelness towards her father was that final spark that Charlie’s heart needed to finally give out. Whether or not Ellie did turn around and read her essay to her father is unclear, but in the last moments of his brain functioning he created that last effort vision to die as happy as he possibly could

[@TheNerdDoc]

The ascension to heaven definitely had a fictitious aspect to it, so you could be right there. I will say that I think Ellie was well written due to the fact that her attitude and general personality were a direct result of Charlie leaving her. It's Charlie's fault she is the way she is, yet she did helped Thomas, and it was clear she not only cared for her father, but wanted him to survive and become a part of her life again. To go from her utter resentment at the beginning of the film, to making that realization clear to the audience, I think that's pretty good writing.

[@Zimidiah]

@@TheNerdDoc disagree with you on her intentions. I think it’s clear Ellie was trying to hurt Thomas. You can tell Charlie knew this too during the scene where he keep repeating it to himself, always keeping his “positive outlook” no matter what. Charlie may be at fault for a lot of the hardships in her life, but that doesn’t excuse how she treated him all the way up to the end

[@fxlltxtsearch]

To be honest I actually like your theory 😂 even though I disagree. I genuinely do. Although, I do have a problem with a lot of peoples characterization of Ellie. While she can be nihilistic and mean-spirited to her dying father I just cannot watch all the minutes of him continually damaging his body and engorging himself and say that hes not deserving of it. Her words are meant to scathe because she is honest and Charlie appreciates that so much more because he knows that his daughter is not a liar and a pushover. That she will call things as they are and be candid about them and that was the clear object positive truth he saw in his daughter. She is honest even when it comes out ugly, because most people do not hear you when you are nice. I think this deeply relates to the church and the only reason such a shallow character Thomas is in the film. That homophobia and hatred that drove his lover to end himself is based off of people blindly following others and not saying the truth about the literature (the bible). This is why Charlie tells his students to be honest. This is why he appreciates his daughters scathing candid attitude. Its harsh, but maybe if someone spoke up and said “why dont we stop using God as a means to project hatred when we all are unperfect sinners” maybe his lover wouldnt be dead. His daughter represents the harsh honesty that was needed in the world that would have saved his lover if more people thought like that.

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@Zimidiah You make some valid points, but I still don't think Ellie was trying to hurt Thomas. Thomas already did all that damage to himself. Ellie's actions would not have made things any worse. What Ellie did was repair that damage. Sending his church and family that recording helped them understand why Thomas did what he did. I don't know if she knew they would forgive him, but I think her intention was to mend that relationship. As far as how she treats her father, looking at it from her point of view... her father left when she was 8, and her mother was an alcoholic. To her knowledge, her father never reached out or tried to be involved in her life in any way after he left. The fact that she turned out as well as she did is commendable. That said, if you look at it from your perspective that she wasn't trying to help Thomas, then I can see how you would think she was a much more terrible person.

[@MemeScreen]

I thought the same thing about the ending of the film. I’m not sure if it is the intended interpretation, but for me it is more of a question of which ending do I want to believe.

[@RileyMcMaster]

Idc what anyone says, I’m and under weight 6’5 male, and connect with this movie on so many levels. It’s depictions of addiction, self pitty, and self destructive behavior were so relatable to me, sadly. And I know it resonated with many others out there. If this film didn’t resonate with you or leaving you feeling some type of way, I just feel like you may have not struggled with your inner-self, at-least not to the point that some of us do. your past choices, your addictions. And that’s a good thing. This movie clearly shows me how destructive your behavior can be to yourself. And I thought it was a beautifully sad and real cinematic experience. Which is kinda rare these days.

[@cagdasa.798]

as a ex fat person (not charlie level of fat but still like 6'1 and 250 lbs) i just cant feel that much sorry charlie bcoz no one forced him to eat its his decision to die slowly by eating that much. what do you expect? so thats why i cant feel that much sorry for charlie you brought that upon yourself you shouldnt let your self go

[@RileyMcMaster]

@@cagdasa.798 you could easily say the same for any self destructive behavior. “That’s slowly killing you why are you doing it”

[@DMonty91]

Good afterning, Riley I know your comment was 3 weeks ago, but I just wanted to ask if everythings ok. I hope it is, and that it gets (even) better. We all struggle with something different, and sometimes we forget others struggle too. I just wanted to say I hope the best for you. Random citizen, out 👋🏼

[@CatManDoom84]

Just got out of the film. Beautifully heartbreaking, but hopeful. And it goes without saying, brendan is amazing in it,as is hong Chau.

[@Jewn8ug]

Hurt people hurt people…..Ellie wasn’t evil….she was hurt. She didn’t help the guy. She tried to hurt him, and she posted mean things about her father…… Her true self seeped out once she realized her father always cared even from a far distance by keeping the essay. Him just saying it wasn’t enough. The essay was proof. This is where the walls fell. I’m a father who had two children grow in another state. This movie, as I watched, kept resonating with me but I had no clue why. The daughter, reminded me of my own. And I didn’t know why. It wasn’t until I heard Elle say “Daddy, please.” That I recognized the similarities in my own life and daughter. Witnessing a change in my daughter’s attitude, I saw the hurt from Not fighting hard enough for her. Things only changed when I came out of state to take her from a situation horrible situation at school. She just needed to know, her daddy cared and loved her. Ellie just needed proof beyond words.

[@brockpettifer5757]

This was a perfect dissection of the movie, the only thing I would’ve added is how Adam also suffered from anorexia on top of his fathers religious abuse, which mirrors the opposite of Charlie’s obesity, almost as a response of sorts to Adams disorder

[@TheNerdDoc]

Thank you! And good point! I think that's more symbolic than anything else, since Charlie didn't get morbidly obese until after Alan's death

[@Nico-px2hg]

Yessss

[@jedparker2855]

The Whale is probably one of the best films of 2022 I've ever seen, but it is definitely hard to watch; it will not be for everyone. In a way, it's like trying to watch Schindler's List even though it has scenes that you'll never unsee. I saw it in theaters, and it's the first time I cried nonstop throughout the second half of a film. Brendan Fraser gave such an excellent performance, and I will be pissed if he doesn't win the Oscar for Best Actor!! The scene where Charlie binge eats after his brief encounter with the Pizza Man is one of the most frightening non-horror scenes I had ever watched. It broke me in half and I felt nothing but sorrow for him. It is definitely a recommend for film lovers, but definitely bring out the tissues!!!

[@davidpalomo5131]

I believe that Alan and Thomas were opposites in some way because Thomas forgiven and accepted by his family. Alan was not accepted and not forgiven.

[@CosmoZap]

I agree with your review! Very good. I'm going to give you my perspective as a physician, novelist and a screenwriter. I will address some of the critics comments from other reviews. This film is near perfect. And here is why: The Whale is a movie about launching a cruise missile. As a screenwriter I can tell you what an amazing process it is. You send your work out to various professionals, get their reviews and modify your work based on all of these criticisms and also positive comments. Sometimes you agree, some times you don't. I at times get these reviews that totally don't get my work and want to gut it and take it in a new direction. The essay about the whale was a marvelous totem and became an explosive reveal that was a dagger to Charlie's soul...and Ellie placed it. Took my breath away. The integration of the storyline to all of the characters...Charlie, Ellie, Liz, Thomas, Mary...was masterful and heartbreaking. The criticism about them continuing to ask him to go to the hospital and him refusing was purposeful! Each and every time he said no he reached closer to the launch button...like a beating drum. The criticism that it "didn't go deep enough" about his condition was also ridiculous and I will explore this more below. Charlie's path was determined years prior. When Mary was discussing with Charlie about the money he was saving for Ellie, that decision was made shortly after the divorce or shortly after the death of his lover, Allen. Charlie was collecting that money, every cent he could to save Ellie...to give her a fighting chance at being happy. Charlie knew he wasn't going to make it so he tried to resolve his issues with Ellie before he died. He knew he was going to die. He chose his path...and he never deviated from it. You must understand that he knew he couldn't do both. He couldn't save himself and keep the money for Ellie. His medical bills alone would have consumed those funds in a week. So, why didn't he just save himself and stop binging? It is fascinating the Liz knew the end to this drama but continued to enable Charlie to binge to the bitter end. The guilt she experienced with her brother Allen comes full circle and now she has to bear the guilt of contributing to Charlie's death. This brings us to part two... I have had an amazing career as an internist and a dermatologist. Spent 14 years as an army physician in some of the finest tertiary care hospitals, teaching and taking care of patients. I see 50-60 patients a day in my private practice and we share our lives with them... There is no greater stage on life itself than the exam room of a physician. I also see the trauma in patient's lives...I see patients struggle with body dysmorphic syndrome, neurotic excoriations, delusions of parasitosis, lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis. I share the grief of the death of loved ones. I see patients manifest their responses to stress and trauma in ways most people would not understand. Patient's dying of melanoma still getting a tan. The same goes for obesity...it is incredibly difficult to manage...and it is personal. I can remember taking care of an obese patient in the ICU that had developed intestinal necrosis...all of her small intestines died. Needless to say she couldn't eat anything. She was NPO. I can remember her begging for something to eat. She passed away in a few days....there was nothing we could do... I see it all the time. People determined to go out their way, regardless of the consequences. Charlie manifested his profound grief by binging. He tries to stop. He wants to stop. But he can't. I understand. I see it all the time. This brings us to the very end of the movie, when Ellie reads her essay to him about the whale that she wrote years ago. It was the most compassionate thing she had ever done. She knew it was killing him, but it is what he wanted. She pressed the button that finally launched the cruise missile of Charlie's life. His feet leave the ground. Liftoff into oblivion. I understand... The Whale is a masterpiece.

[@jp32123]

Hey, doc! Sorry to hear about the trauma of mesenteric ischemia (be it acute or chronic… the paraumbilical pain must have been a nightmare). Even C. Diff is horrible, especially if it leads to toxic megacolon, and there’s loss of haustra and whatnot. The dilated cardiomyopathy that Charlie had to deal with was devastating to not only him, but everyone around him. Ejection fraction must have been very low by the weekend due to systolic dysfunction. Anyways, the term “oblivion” indicates that u are a skeptic, so i would strongly encourage u to type “Zaytoun Mary apparition” on youtube and hopefully that will change your mind on the nonexistence of God. Have a wonderful day!

[@Mason879]

I so hope Brendan wins the Oscar for this. It’s wonderful to see him back on ours screens.

[@Julesrossee]

I believe he has 👍🏻 much deserved

[@i8mvx]

watching this after he won🥲

[@jwjvl]

brilliantly said. I felt like this movie was almost like viewing a protracted self-sacrifice. Deep, dark and devastating. Empathy and compassion play a huge role in this film, and I think it's really difficult not to become emotionally involved with Charlie as a viewer. I feel like by the 3rd act, we the audience have almost unwillingly accepted his fate, and are far too gone to turn away. A beautifully portrayed modern day tragedy. I came home and hugged my dog and squeezed my partner in bed tighter than usual. Beyond deeply affecting.

[@TheNerdDoc]

This film needs to get some recognition from the Academy. If not, it will be an extremely disappointing award season.

[@jwjvl]

@@TheNerdDoc agreed wholeheartedly. I'll be watching next years Oscars with superbowl-level-energy hoping they call Brendans name. I'll be extremely bitter if they don't and for good reason!

[@dadeee7776]

I agree with you in a way that this wasn’t some amazing movie, good acting by him but this alone doesn’t put him above everyone else, the awards are stupid anyway but he shouldn’t get it for being fat and gay in a movie but this whole queer angle is weird like I’m not gay or queer or whatever but why are you so invested in other peoples lives 🤣 he’s a actor playing a gay guy, you sound a lot more queer than him with this ​@Brendan Fraser vs The Truth

[@jenynz5334]

@Brendan Fraser vs The Truth Are you ever going to move on? Seems like you've spent a lot of time on any videos to do with him trying to get everyone to hate him. You should seek therapy and move on.

[@fxlltxtsearch]

@Brendan Fraser vs The Truth ah so you think people become gay to offend others or out of malice? 😂

[@vespereer8450]

Thank you so much for the breakdown! There's so much going on in this movie all at the same time and the way it's all flows together is a masterpiece. We don't know when he started to stress eat but I would assume it started after Alan's death and immensely worsened when he understands the magnitude of what his actions caused for his daughter Ellie. A dad full of guilt just wanting his daughter to be happy in life. A daughter full of anger, sadness, and resentment who just wanted her dad to be in her life.

[@TheNerdDoc]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the video and the movie. There are quite a few layers here for sure. I'm really curious to see how the movie does during awards season

[@mr.mellow9949]

The scene where Charlie was comfort eating after Dan seeing what he looks like broke me, legit wanted to give him a hug 🥲

[@burntchickennugget8142]

I looked at it more as spite eating. He knows he us gonna die, and he just eats more to die faster at the end there, reminded of a book called butter where a morbidly obese highschool guy eats attempts to eat himself to death on a livestream due to bullying and just wanting to die in a "big way" Also there ain't no way that what he was eating was something he enjoyed cuase it was just wierd combinations of high calorie food like that chip sandwich with jam on top

[@mr.mellow9949]

@@burntchickennugget8142 now that I think about it, you’re probably right, but I still felt horrible watching it

[@averyb4878]

@@burntchickennugget8142 I agree that it was partially spite eating, but as someone with BED, I believe that was a straight binge. When he saw the look on Dan's face I feel it just sent him over the edge sending him into a horrible binge. Very hard scene to watch nonetheless.

[@kathleencastle8631]

As big as he was that was not his first time binge eating

[@mr.mellow9949]

@@kathleencastle8631 obviously, but it was that scene specifically that hurt the most. A couple scenes earlier you can see that he somewhat tried to slow down his eating habits (mainly that one scene where he had a drawer full of candy)

[@ChristianKarides]

I'm not sure if it's been said yet, but I always thought the scene with Dan the Pizza Man sticking around and awkwardly leaving was more like "sorry for invading your privacy and sticking around to see you against your wishes" though not grossed out by his appearance. More of just, apologies for lurking. In a respective manner of course.

[@kathleencastle8631]

It was raining… perhaps he wasn’t lurking

[@squirmtastic]

I feel like no one has talked about the religious themeing very much. Towards the beginning of the film, Thomas is telling Charlie that he believes in the end times coming soon and that that is a good thing to look forward to. Charlie tells him essentially that its wrong to think this way, and that Thomas is so young with his life ahead of him. Several characters, including Charlie, chastise Thomas's beliefs harshly throughout the film. But the messed up thing is, that's exactly what Charlie is doing in the last week of his life. He is embracing his death and believes he will be happy and at peace when he does die. But this comes at the cost of everyone around him. He will not put in the effort that's required for true love and instead be selfish. Charlie cannot realize that age doesn't matter when fixing yourself and your life, and mistakenly believes he is too old and has gone through too much to ever change. This hypocrisy is driven home when Charlie dies in the end and ascends into the light. Charlie hates humanity for wanting to give up on life but then willingly and with gusto gives up on his own because it is conveinent. Excellent movie, hurt me bad!

[@KenobiStark1]

I’m going to see it just to support Brendan Fraser

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate your analysis on The Whale. Seems like Brendan Fraser did an incredible job portraying his own character in the film.

[@TheNerdDoc]

I was skeptical going in since a lot of critics over hype movies like this, but it was very good. There's some decent competition this year, but if Fraser wins for best actor, and the movie wins for best picture, I wouldn't be surprised.

[@lubaniskie]

Who is this "we"?

[@lilmilontiktok]

@@TheNerdDoc the critics have actually gave it mixed reviews. And theres no way in hell itll win best picture. But im hoping itll be nominated for picture and screenplay and Brendan HAS to win

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@lilmilontiktok At the time I wrote that comment the main reviews were from the festivals, not the masses of critics that have oddly skewed opinions on everything. It's also difficult to predict how the Academy will vote, and most of them don't even watch half the movies being nominated. The Whale and Fraser will definitely get nominated, but as I already mentioned, competition is stiff this year.

[@johannareichel2022]

@@lubaniskie People..audience

[@Myoriginal.]

The film has so much symbolism to poetry and imagery alike. It was so realistic. I just want to point out from what I’ve heard from other reviewers is. The acting could’ve been better the script the actions in the movie were a bit oddly placed. But my goodness this movie is a literal 10/10 like the acting is what it was supposed to be the movie is as real as you can get. I want to go more in depth but I’ll write that in a lengthy review somewhere 🤣 And also I hope brendon wins the Oscar and golden glob no one deserves more than him

[@TheNerdDoc]

I think Brendan will take it. I'm not sure who else really gets close at the moment

[@jaelie8398]

I had a coworker several years ago who had a binge eating disorder. She was a 17 year old Mexican-American girl and she would often go days at a time without eating at all and days at a time binging. And a lot of people didn't believe she had an eating disorder because she wasn't super skinny and there's a dumb myth only white girls get them. Her and I spent a lot of time together when we were coworkers and I was able to help her through her disorder. Now she's in a much healthier place. Watching this movie (we've watched it several times) is always emotional because of how close to home it hits. December 5 2023 marks our two year wedding anniversary

[@morganc9172]

There's no myth that only white people get eating disorders. Stop making stupid assumptions about what society thinks.

[@intensehummingofevil]

this has to be in my top three favourite movies ever. i never cry, i’ve trained myself not to. but even just thinking about certain scenes i cant hold it back. i have an ed and though it’s not the same as charlie’s, i can’t help but feel everything he feels

[@CodeeXD]

I like to think charlie stood up and walked over to elly. Then his heart exploded and he fell forward crushing her and leaving the money to Liz

[@cantavoidtrite]

lol

[@willi1978]

thought so too. why stand so close to her when he knows he is going to die?

[@cheri7054]

Liz had no way of saving her brother and Charley. At the end she states you can't save people. It's up to the individual to make the choice to seek help.

[@TheNerdDoc]

We don't have enough information on Alan to know if there was actually an opportunity for Liz to save him, but she definitely could've saved Charlie, or at least delayed his death. You're right that it's up to the individual to make that choice, but Liz didn't have to abide by that logic. She could've called 911 or worked with his family to convince him to seek help. The main reason she didn't is because she thought Charlie had no money, which was not true.

[@cheri7054]

@@TheNerdDoc Liz made a comment about trying to help her brother.

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@cheri7054 Right, but we didn't get much information on that. We have no idea how active Liz was in her brother's life before he disappeared.

[@cheri7054]

@@TheNerdDoc I'm not going to argue with you on and on but Liz stayed with Charles cuz he had a piece of her brother.with him. We saw how hard she worked to help Charles and she mentioned her trying to help her brother. We can assume by how she cared for Charles she did the same with her brother

[@willi1978]

without food delivery he wouldn't have been able to kill himself that way

[@Richard-lx3xk]

I thought the essay sums up what the movie is about: coping. People are incapable of not caring, but their behavior is the same as Ishmael talking about whales. Using food, alcohol, being hateful towards others or religion is a way to save us 'from our own sad story'.

[@StGeoRUSH619]

Without any hesitation or reservations, this is 100% above and beyond, Brendan Fraser's best piece of acting he has ever brought to the screen. Bravo, Brendan... Bravo 👏👏👏

[@TheNerdDoc]

And he won the Oscar for it. Well deserved!

[@hal9752]

Liz was definitely an enabler, which was frustrating to watch. Like she wanted him to get help but would also bring him large amounts of food. The ending was sort of disappointing but not surprising. It wouldn’t have stuck to the theme of the movie if it ended in some happy, run off into the sunset type of way, lol. Overall it was okay

[@Babu-kr3cr]

I think each character was a different incarnation of Ahab. They each had a dream they were chasing in order to escape a fear. The only one who truly was set free was the missionary. The whale died chasing love, the daughter just turned evil trying to escape hypocrisy, the mother turned to alcoholism to escape failure, and the nurse was a control freak with no heart trying to escape her own powerlessness. It was a good movie. Darren Aronofsky never disappoints.

[@michaeltunnicliffe4935]

I just watched this film like 2 hours ago. I agree mostly with what you said except for 3 of the characters. Liz was the biggest victim, however she seems to have also been a bit problematic and potentially part of Charlies problem. She could have done more to stop him eating. At the very least, she could have stopped bringing him food. Also she felt the need to do it on her own, something Charlie says he thought when he tried to help Alan. Liz did suffer the most and I really liked her character, but she is just that bit too much like Charlie, wanting to do it herself, her way and being a bit of an enabler. I also think that the Dan the pizza man wasn't scared or repulsed by Charlie. Shocked maybe. But I felt like maybe he too, like Liz maybe had a part to play I enabling Charlie to get so big. And maybe he felt guilt. Guilt for being part of the problem, but also leaving it so late to act. I mean, he has probably been doing this for years, but has only now a couple of days earlier felt the need to ask if Charlie was ok. I mean he should have known, he's delivering 2 pizzas multiple times a week. And finally, Ellie. I agree that she came to the realisation that her father loved her and that she was a good person and that life isn't as dark as she thought etc. But for me, her performance was too much. She was too much of a brat, too emotional, too mean. I couldn't quite buy it at the end that she cared for him. She was crying, she obviously did care, but she was still cursing and shouting at him. Throughout the whole movie, I kept feeling like she didn't deserve Charlie being so nice to her. Even though i recognise that he abandoned her and everything, I still feel like she was too rude, too judgmental and too negative. But maybe that's just me. I know it's her whole character, it just felt too much to me. Other wise, agree with most of what you said, thought the film was great and i'm glad I watched it.

[@TheNerdDoc]

I think it's an interesting balance. How much did Charlie hurt Ellie by leaving and not reaching out to her at all, and how much of Ellie's behavior is warranted because of Charlie's actions? Hard to say really

[@michaeltunnicliffe4935]

@@TheNerdDoc It is a tricky one. And I definitely agree that her pessimism was warranted, as was her anger and her lack of trust. I just think that perhaps it was over done a bit, or at least, they could have done a little more to show her softer side. Like I said, she was still cursing at him as he was taking his last breathes. And like you said, they never let you see her realising what she had done for Thomas. Maybe a scene to show her feeling good about herself for helping another person would have been enough for it to not be such an issue for me. Or if she said just once before Charlie died that she loved him or she was sorry or something to just help me believe that she was the person her father saw. Instead because of her over exaggerated demeanour, I could never really buy that she was the wonderful person her father saw her as, I could only see the evil that her mother spoke about.

[@sideskroll]

@@TheNerdDoc None of it, actually. I come from a home with an abusive father that left us when I was 7. I'm 40 now. And even though yes, it did "scarred" me in a way (it made me an angry individual. Aggressive at times) it never turned me into a little, cruel monster. Rebel perhaps. But not a monster. (I mean, the shot in which they show the bird's broken plate... C'mon! Animal cruelty?) I even met with my father when I was around 20. And I sorta forgave him. I'm at peace with him and he has my permission to die. But I NEVER insulted, threatened nor drugged him. And I don't blame him for my bad decisions in life. That's all me.

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@sideskroll Absolutely! The big difference though is that you're also not a fictional character meant to entertain general audiences. Your experiences are real, and your reactions to those experiences are real. You had to live through that and grew from the experience. Ellie's experiences were written by someone specifically looking to entertain.

[@ango8466]

You are very wrong about Ellie. Her acting and reactions were exactly as a teenage girl's. And everyone would be mean to the parent that abandoned then at 8 years old. His father is addictive to eating, and her mother is at alcohol.

[@zalgrimm403]

All I gathered from the movie is that everyone is just awful and irredeemable lol ... I don't think Elle had any intention of helping Thomas, it just so happened to work out in his favor. His ex wife can't handle any stress without alcohol. Liz was an enabler and encouraged Charlie's overeating and destructive habits, and also thought she was the only one who could help him. Thomas was subconsciously projecting his homophobic views and agenda in an attempt to "fix" Charlie. And Charlie was a hypocrite, always pushing people to find their truth, but he runs away from his own.

[@TheNerdDoc]

I agree with most of this, but I do think Ellie's intention was to help Thomas. What other reason would she have had to send that tape back to his home? Thomas was already presumed to be in trouble. Providing a motive for his actions wouldn't have any additional negative effects

[@zalgrimm403]

@@TheNerdDoc I guess I perceived it as bullying, but I could be wrong. I like that perspective though Edit: now that I think about it, when he was being recorded, he was expressing genuine remorse. Ellie recognized that and shared that with his family.

[@Julesrossee]

The way me and my mum saw that part was she helped Thomas so he wouldn’t ever visit Charlie again, taking away any kind of human connection Charlie might have as a revenge for him leaving her. This also might me the reason the plate for the bird on the window was also broken. To stop even the bird from visiting him. That’s just our take on it 👍🏻

[@DinkemDolph]

⁠@@TheNerdDoc I thought it was made quite clear that Ellie’s intention were not good. She purposely exposed and humiliated her father on the internet, the mother made it clear that this was something she is known for hence why she has no friends and she even destroyed the birds feeding plate before she left, this act along with post graphic photos of dead animals online is supposed to imply to us that she is deeply disturbed and hateful, even innocent animals are victim to her actions. Her intention was to humiliate Thomas but it backfired and Charlie who only ever saw the positive side in her refused to see it for what it actually was because she (in his eyes) is the only thing good in his life.

[@dinobreeder]

This kinda reminds me of an old film from the 30s and 40s, it's a very mature theme that takes itself serious but it's not so serious to the point it's grim. I'm convinced I need to watch this now

[@Quiro26]

Could I say this film was cathartic? For me it was. I could empathize with Charlie's self -pity but at the same time is was frustrating. It reminded me how in the past I acted in this way and push way close friends and family.

[@alonzocargill3447]

This movie is eye opening so many people including my self sit and let thing’s destroy us slowly when we have the complete power to change the outcome of the situation but we waited too late . I just texted my mom and asked her to stop drinking .

[@shivalishankersharma1562]

I am really happy for Brendan Fraiser. That he is getting work and his performance is being appreciated. He was so hot in Mummy. All of my friends and me had a huge crush on him back in school

[@lilosisboss]

Brilliant movie. I can’t stop thinking about it. Brendan’s acting is the best acting I’ve seen in a long time. Hong was bloody brilliant too. When she stops Charlie from choking but then hands him more food to eat was very symbolic. I really hope they both win the Oscar! Brilliant analysis btw

[@TheNerdDoc]

It was surprising the film wasn't nominated for best picture

[@nicolebrown622]

I was crying I had to cover my eyes. I was so terrified.

[@BraveMoji]

This film broke me in a way that no other film has. The only other film that upset me as much as this one is a film called “where the wild things are” I feel like deciphering the metaphors in films is what makes them so sad and interesting

[@kylei4153]

I've seen a lot of movies in my life. I like to think it's hard to hit an emotional spot on me unless it's both powerfully written & performed. And oh boy. As a man who's been a father for 6 years and only cried twice in that time, this film really got me. Easily made it a third time. I have no idea exactly what it was. In my opinion this was just a masterpiece in how everything was represented. Beautifully tragic movie that I'd recommend to anyone.

[@CBP0614]

Awesome video! I agree with Liz, though. You can’t force someone to get help, people ultimately make their own decisions. As a paramedic, I can say that I would not take him, if he refuses. I would spend a great deal of time urging him to go and explaining that he’ll die otherwise. But as long as they are with it, and able to make their own decisions then we could literally get charged with “kidnapping” if he would choose to find a lawyer and pursue that. People are free to make their own stupid choices. We can only force people if they are “altered” or confused. Or explicitly telling us they want to kill themselves, in which case police will help us force them to go if need be.

[@Samster-rv5uj]

This is only heartbreaking in the fact that Charlie made others suffer because of his selfish self loathing.

[@TheNerdDoc]

Charlie is definitely the main antagonist of the film

[@RuminInLove]

@@TheNerdDoc I would argue Thomas was the main antagonist, in a way.

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@RuminInLove Hmm... from a certain point of view I could see that, but I don't know if I'd say he's the main antagonist? Other than the religious implications and the indirect connection to Alan... Hmm... I don't know.

[@RuminInLove]

@@TheNerdDoc This is just my perspective, I could be way off base with what Darren Aronofsky or Ty Simpkins was going for. At the start Thomas seems to help Charlie more out of the kindness of his heart, rather than just because of his spirituality. He pleads with Charlie throughout the film to find God. On the surface Thomas's plight seems completely genuine, though misguided, and he's trying to help Charlie find God because that's his way of helping. Thomas ends up doubling down on his beliefs after being accepted by his family/church to return home. When Charlie confronts Thomas and rejects his plight for spiritual guidance, Thomas shows his true colors and calls Charlie "disgusting", showing the seemingly genuine passion he previously showed for Charlie was actually disgust wrapped in a typical religious superficial love cocoon.

[@TheNerdDoc]

@@RuminInLove You make a good point. I think it's just a matter of perception. From my own point of view, I would still see Thomas as a good person because he put aside his personal feelings and still tried to help Charlie in his own way. It wasn't until Charlie pushed him that he caved into his own feelings. I do think you're correct though.

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

Made me so depressed for the whole damn week! What a movie to come back with tho, he was always playing the goof ya know now he can show his true talent!

[@ratzilla5388]

liz should’ve got the award for best supporting actress she was amazing

[@TJ-um8ce]

I don't cry at movies... this movie hit different tho.

[@callumager537]

I’m interested in hearing the theories upon the movies wider release. Given the movies name and the frequent inclusion of Moby Dick. Perhaps there’s more thematic connections between the events of the movie and the novel that we don’t yet see.

[@TheNerdDoc]

There are probably some parallels between Ahab and Ellie, with Moby Dick being Charlie. I don't think it's a direct one-to-one with the motives and emotions, but some parallels for sure. Charlie essentially "bit off" Ellie's leg when he left her, and Ellie has been on an emotional journey of revenge ever since, only to find that wasn't actually what she was seeking

[@jezreelayar3945]

I’ve been thinking about this since I watched it! Definitely a deeper meaning. Her essay could have been about anything else but the fact that it was what it was makes me think about the connections

[@TheGuruStud]

@@TheNerdDoc Charlie is both Ahab and Moby Dick. He was trying to kill himself.

[@rexvectum]

I wish I would've known what this movie was about before I bought chicken strips, popcorn, candy, and a 75 ounce soda on my way in

[@TheNerdDoc]

😅

[@haileytate8570]

no me too i walked into the theater with a large coke, swedish fish, buncha crunch, and taco bell like damn

[@Wayhoo]

It’s a really hard watch, amazing performance.

[@DanieWise]

This movie tore me apart inside. The movie was not good because it was a happy go lucky story but good because it was raw and real and just absolutely heart-wrenching. You grow to love this man and wish to save him. It's happening every day in America. People are going through this every day whether they're addicted to food, alcohol, or drugs. And it's utterly heart breaking. If you are reading this and feel unworthy of happiness and a good life, know you are not alone in this world. You are worth it. Your life is worth it. You are a beautiful human being inside and out and you can turn your life around on step at a time. You are worth it ❤

[@denxylboart4403]

It was a very powerful, and moving film. Making one think about life, and the lives of other's not to mention realisation of a person's potential. Sometimes we can't always get confirmation with our thoughts of greatness Sometimes we have to trust that it's just something we have, and that's okay. Don't worry or let fear stand in your way. Just keep moving forward! ❤

[@antm64]

After hearing your narrative about this film, this may be one I will make a point to see. I have so appreciated hearing the voice of a live human over that of a computerized voice that fails to pronounce words properly! Thank you!

[@TheNerdDoc]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it

[@gsddavidfreeman2551]

I personally think after Charlie lost his lover,and seeing how he was disconnected with his daughter,and trying so hard to connect with his daughter but couldn't based on the mother making it impossible,Charlie read that wale essay that the daughter wrote regarding Wales and Charlie turned himself into that wale as the daughter wrote the wale didn't have feelings and the daughter hated the wale and thinking killing the wale could give her peace.

[@IgikoPop]

I went to college in Moscow during the setting of the plot. The gambinos, gritman hospital, and winco representation was super personal.

[@fabelkop3830]

I like the film which has some of meaning like the title whale who represent the main character Charlie which is obese and regretfully like the whale which he said (I don't remember who)the only things matter in life is her daughter Ellie who haven't contact or see eachother for years when she was 8 years old,even tho she hated him due to leaving her and mother to go to date a man(Allen) in later he regrets it(Charlie) and want to see her daughter one more time which to teach her everything in life not to be rebellious or selfish, because he saw on social media that she is lonely no friend, also after that she realise that he tried to help her by looking at his rooms books photos etc.And that he he saw some good in her because he made her wrote something about truthfully and honestly about him and generally which he gave him motivation to help her even more,that she is smart unlikely her mother which is more negatively towards her due to her bad grades in high school,after all this she actually want to like him and to spent more time but unfortunately he die Infront of her eyes, Moral of story: appreciate everything that you have a father, grandpa,grandma,mother etc and spent more time with them before it's too late and you can learn from them Also sorry for my bad English because I am not from England

[@jackieprice2873]

I’m glad I read some reviews first. I doubt that I will see the film. I’m sure that it’s beautifully written and superbly acted. But as one person commented, once some scenes are viewed, you can’t unsee them. The main reason I go to theaters is for an escape, and maybe to laugh or feel uplifted somehow. No doubt this film will touch some people in different ways, but it seems so tragic and depressing. Still - I would like for Brendan Fraser to win the Oscar. I have always enjoyed him as an actor.

[@trapchurches555]

Lane way to live

[@MrMdiaz84]

Brendan is such an amazing actor. This movie was powerful in so many ways

[@TheNerdDoc]

So glad he won the Oscar

[@NightDweller]

No one can save someone else but she did. She saved two and now maybe her mother as well

[@lauren1779]

I want to see this film so bad but I’m a gigantic sob and cry at everything so I came here to spoil it for myself rather than watch the movie even if just to find out what it was about and I’m still crying. Great video sir I think I’ll watch it after all it’s more beautifully painful than I realIzed

[@TheNerdDoc]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the video, and I hope you enjoy the movie even more. Let us know what you thought after you watch the movie

[@suzannesellers7383]

I’m in tears just listening to the explanation of the whale. I haven’t seen the whale, but I will.

[@Dewmino]

The character Liz shows how we can want to help someone and have good intentions to do so but our sympathy can make us enablers to others problems. helping charli and wanting what’s best for him but following Charli’s direction for his own health. It emphasizes the point of you can help someone as much as they’re willing to help themselves. if charli was more receptive to Liz he could of helped her help him but without having self preservation in himself there was never a way for Liz to help.

[@lilmilontiktok]

I saw it a few hours ago and I still feel really sad

[@rorysellers8821]

Ayo at southcenter?

[@steelethescene]

... mind seem trivial but did anyone notice he feeds the bird healthy fruits rather than empty caloried bread bits?

[@jasonrios3120]

Could be a sign how he cares for others to cope with not helping himself from eating his way to obesity

[@jasminejones9937]

Not surprising this film got a lot of attention considering the obesity crisis in the USA (which is beyond a joke ! 🙄)

[@DeanaStoned]

It was about not his physical weight but the weight he mentally he carried .. And when he finally let go he could pass...

[@zzchillzz4824]

I watched this with my mom in the theater today. Man, it was rough, but i loved it! Completely different story and idea, but i had a similar feeling watching this film as i did watching leaving las Vegas

[@dylanfitch2997]

Universal health care would have showed up in Charlie's taxed out paychecks

[@kimnorth7060]

Obama care

[@bunnymomjulie6719]

Maybe he was an independent contractor.

[@WeAreTheInsurgents]

I think one thing that has always bothered me about Aronofsky films is that they always have to end in an abstract way; it works for some of his films like Black Swan because the whole film bends reality and fantasy the whole time, but The Whale was too linear for its entire runtime just to have something abstract in its final moments. I really enjoyed the film but I found the ending a little bit anticlimactic. It was a fantastic moment of emotion, especially when we find out that it was Ellie's essay that he always read (not sure if everyone else thought it was obvious), but I just kinda rolled my eyes a bit when everything faded to white. I'm all for artistic flair and ambiguous endings, but with the linearity of this film, it just felt a little bit jarring to have some arthouse bend of reality at the last second.

[@Maplechugger]

For real, I just watched it and I feel like the ending would have been better after him standing and smiling there was a jump cut to him dead on the couch. Liz was sobbing and Ellie was walking away to parallel the opening scene of Thomas walking on the road. It was still a great movie though!

[@WeAreTheInsurgents]

@@Maplechugger Yeah, it was a great film but I guess I just wanted some finality out of it. Also, for me, him standing on his toes and looking up as if being beckoned to the afterlife felt a little bit goofy as well. Brendan Fraser absolutely killed it with his performance though. You can tell he acted his ass off and I really hope that he wins the Oscar for it.

[@chibikohyuga3875]

Agreed

[@RyanABXY]

Man just rehashing this has me emotional again

[@Rammstein45]

Phenomenal film! Some parts were very hard to watch, but Brendan Frasier's performance was amazing. The final 15 minutes had me an emotional mess, but I'm so glad I watched this movie.

[@mirzaghalib8659]

why is there a warning from KZbin before this is allowed to start?

[@TheNerdDoc]

Because KZbin manual review claims this video deals with sensitive topics. I can't even appeal it since it was a manual review.

[@thedude2648]

The missing touch i wish was in the film, is when he took his steps. I wouldve loved to see him take steps in the ocean, and the light behind ellie turn into a backdrop of that ocean not unlike the gladiator.

[@ZiZla999]

We all can take something from this movie. This reaffirmed my need to ensure I have more empathy. I often judge obese people and this tragically humanizes their lives and what they go through.

[@louiselincoln]

I feel like the summary of this hits so hard on Liz...she was acting according to the wishes of her friend, respecting his right to make his own choices - some people see that as 'enabling' his addiction. I disagree. She is embracing the pain of supporting and loving someone who has become terminally ill, never giving up on him, even in his darkest moments. Normally, intervening in addiction (as happens in Tom's situation) only isolates and pushes people away, causing them to simply hide their problems and feel shame. A person has to come to that realisation themselves, they have to want to change on their own. Liz gently expresses her concerns, but will not force Charlie's hand. (Likewise, 911 would do the same - it would not have changed the outcome for him). One of the most profound lines in the movie (and play) for me, is Liz's: "I really don't think anybody can save anybody else". I don't think it's meant to be depressing, it's about affirming our right to make decisions about our own lives. She wishes to promote life, not see him die, but she understands the inevitability of mortality and the right for a person with mental capacity to choose. The successful long term rehabilitation from adult addiction tends to wobble around the 5% mark. 5%. We need to do better. Humanity needs to work on this. More funding is required, more support, education and understanding. From the American angle: How many more fentanyl cases do we need before people see how addiction affects all parts of society?

[@brigitteunterweger5711]

Very much to watch it. One of the best movies in a long time.

[@RideMyLighting]

Give Brendan the goddamn Oscar, he freaking deserves it

[@TheNerdDoc]

And he won!

[@Dream-Me]

My estranged father just passed 3 weeks ago....I cried so hard 😢 and still am 💔

[@TheNerdDoc]

So sorry to hear that :(

[@stx6817]

I'm sorry for your loss, remember that good days are coming soon.

[@bigfella957]

Havent watched it but the juxtaposition of how this movie is just meh to masterpiece is something I’m noticing. I think a lot of people are getting the nostalgia high of Fraser’s performance but we’ll see ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@joenelson4629]

I’ve never seen a Fraser movie but this made be cry twice

[@dahhmlife]

This is not a side of Fraser's acting anyone has seen before. I doubt it's nostalgia.

[@nikkismyth9306]

It was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time

[@joenelson4629]

Aronofsky is a genius

[@marsh6714]

ive been seeing the sensational takes about this movie being homophobic and fatphobic, so its refreshing to see someone not take the imagery superficially.

[@Mirristal]

I wouldn’t say the light is “poking fun” at religion. If anything, it’s done to suggest Charlie is moving to a better place.

[@TheNerdDoc]

I think the extreme way in which it was depicted was the poking fun part. The entire movie is very serious until that final moment when it leans into the goofiness specifically to showcase Charlie ascending to heaven

[@blackcloth6276]

I strongly believe the moment Ellie reads the essays at the door, it was in Charlie's head. Because he has been spending hours editing her work, it's in his memory. He has a good memory with all the students essays without looking at the paper when reading it out. Btw, don't forget Ellie drugs Charlie to sleep. I believe she has attentions trying to kill him and it is easy to gaslight if he would wakes up, and lucky her, he did. I remember she gave him a really high dose in the sandwiches. I disagree with the opinion about her evil mainly came from the result of poor parenting and dad abandoned her. she has her choice to become a good person and doing reverse what her parents did. we all have a choice to become what we want to become.

[@lacedxstrapped]

This movie turned me into a sobbing mess for at least 15 minutes. Its a masterpiece, but it is heart-wrenching.

[@GhostlyGhoulee]

Ellie had told Liz at the end to go call someone, and as Liz passed Ellie when leaving she said 'I'll go call someone' and told Charlie she would be waiting downstairs. Ellie told Charlie that the ambulance will help him..the way I saw it given that info was that at the end when he rose into the light, he was finally saved by Ellie. She gave him the motivation to finally better himself. I believe he didn't die but the ambulance arrived after to give him the help he truly needed, because Liz did say she was going to call someone. I was slightly confused by the sudden ending and expected them to show him laying in a hospital bed or something, but I believe the ending is meant to be up to viewer interpretation

[@TheNerdDoc]

I guess I can see the ending being ambiguous, but at the same time, rising into a pillar of light is fairly universal to mean you've died. If they wanted it to be ambiguous, maybe go in a different route? This is especially true within the context of the movie and knowing Charlie was on the verge of death. But I could see it being ambiguous.

[@mercuryRed347]

WHAT WAS THE LAST WORD OF THE ESSAY? I can't find any explanations that delve into the very last word that she wrote which finally allowed him to give up the ghost in peace. Was it "dad?" "Family?" What was is it?!

[@camicam6457]

Yeah this movie ripped my heart open. Hated the denial of God & justifications for not believing. In the end, God did save him & that's the whole point. Overall heartbreaking & poignant movie.

[@iomari1771]

this movie made me cry real tears

[@kill_rozainofficial4966]

Can someone tell me the ending of Ellie's essay “This book made me think about my own life, and then it made me feel glad for my--”???

[@stevenponte6655]

I kept hoping Charlie would hit 666 and Liz Hurley would come and save him from this awful life!!

[@charliedameliodunkinfanpag6462]

Whatever..lovely to see Brendan with Oscar in the hands👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️🇭🇷

[@conniewillis6756]

We interpret at least three things and I'm only halfway thru. The movie didn't say his wife was an alcoholic when he left, Allen suffered from mental issues that were exacerbated by his father's non acceptance -- they didn't say Charlie was hiding in the house while Allen was alive -- and #3 or #4 he told his daughter is his most "honest" moment that he failed to balance falling in love with the barriors of keeping some sort of relationship with her.

[@TheNerdDoc]

I didn't specify his wife was an alcoholic when he left her. I supposed I could've phrased that sentence to be more clear, but I didn't think that detail mattered since it's not significant to the plot, and was left ambiguous in the movie anyway. It's been nearly four months since I watched the movie at this point, so I'd have to watch it again to recall Alan's situation, but I don't recall any mention of mental illness there. I'm not sure what why you think I said Charlie was hiding in the house while Alan was alive. Those are two separate statements. The first was that Charlie is hidden away in his apartment, as in actively doing so in reference to Ellie. The second was that he was afraid of the world even before he became obese, which is also in reference to Ellie and not saying that he was hiding in the house while Alan was alive. He was still teaching in person while Alan was alive, as far as we know.

[@tonytheobald1701]

Very powerful movie. 😭

[@EricMartinez-dg2lu]

Fabulous movie. Very different from what's out there.

[@jimbike8064]

There is no right or wrong interpretation. Like a fine painting, it is up to the viewer to determine what they see.

[@TheNerdDoc]

To an extent, but the writer and director had a vision in mind when they created this (and the play). Some parts are intentionally ambiguous, but most of the film has a plan and purpose

[@djbodyrawk]

Great breakdown, movie was soo powerful! That the love the honesty the effort truly never dies 5:17

[@TheNerdDoc]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video and the movie. Let's see how many Oscars it earns 🙂

[@Crysiss]

idk if its just me but i thought he ended up crushing his daughter when he finally walked up to her

[@Sylentmana]

As a medical practitioner Liz knew if the patient is conscious and lucid they can refuse to go with the ambulance and medical workers cannot legally force them to go. He was well beyond help at that point anyway and likely would have died on the way. The money for the trip and aid would have been taken out of his estate thereby reducing the amount Elle would receive.

[@thomasgarrow1599]

Near masterpiece

[@connarcomstock161]

I literally just watched this and it's one of the most brutal things I've ever seen, what the actual fuck why did I put my self through that. Seriously what the fuck.

[@Playboicarti-m7f]

Loosing weight is not impossible i have lost 13 kg 12kg more to go. Will achieve the goal before my birthday which 13 march. im 19. All this took is 5 months of hardwork and discipline (5kg a month)

[@TheNerdDoc]

Congrats! It's definitely not easy