The Whale - Movie Review

[@rebekahp4083]

I was lucky enough to snag a ticket to the TIFF premiere and the moderator had to cut off the audience applause after 3 minutes to get to the Q&A. Brendan looked like he was on the verge of tears the entire time and his humility was just overwhelming. The amount of empathy he brought to the performance- I don’t think any other actor could. Here’s hoping he wins Best Actor next year.

[@Juan-yq3fb]

Such a personable guy.

[@metime4325]

Lucky you!!! How did you get the ticket?

[@etchedinstone7562]

I never thought Brendan Fraser would seriously be in a conversation about an Oscar film any time in the present or future. But comeback stories in Hollywood are like coal in Appalachia. The town can't run without it.

[@nikitamohanan2124]

I think the key difference here is that the audience themselves have BADLY wanted to see him back (if you see the online campaigns and his fan groups) in movies even those who hated Hollywood and it's hypocritical stars and culture because of the MeToo movement and the other skeletons in their closets. It helps this movie's box office prospects that both Sadie Sink and Brendan Fraser are some of the few in Hollywood that the public or audiences who know them GENUINELY like!

[@2345678902345671]

I never thought McConaughey would be either and that dude won.

[@ConnorLipke]

@@nikitamohanan2124 The facebook groups are wild. There's entire mummy meme groups dedicated to him with hundreds of thousands of members.

[@farithfalcon4538]

i'm so happy that Hong Chau is finally getting the recognition she deserves, she is so underated

[@pb.j.1753]

Love her. Literally watch anything she is in and she always shines.

[@GareBare90]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS! The "Brenaissance" is real! Give him his flowers! 💐 🌹 🌸 🏵 🌼 💐

[@andreallanes8850]

I am just soo happy Brendan is ahead of this race. One of the best male performances in the last years.

[@rg9561]

I'm really interested to see who gets the supporting actress slot because i'd say notices are split now coming out of tiff, they could cancel eachother out. I think it could be sink personally, even though her character is very unlikeable her ending scene is the most emotional and the biggest scene in the film, that's all fraser and sink and it could really could resonate with voters. She's also a huge name right and has alot of visibility especiallywith all too well being eligible. Her and fraser are doing photo shoots and interviews together so they seem to be doing a father, daughter campaign at the minute. (It is very early on though) aronofsky is also giving her a ton of phrase. Saying that it definitely could be chau, getting praise for this and the menu. I'm a huge fan of both actresses and can't wait to see them in the movie I'm interested to see how it goes 🙌🙌

[@jocelyne7301]

Unlike many people, I preferred Morton and Sink to Chau. I was not surprised by Chau's performance unlike the other two. But yeah everyone was great and I think Fraser will win an Oscar next year !

[@nms7872]

I am very excited for trailer number one to be released because it means I can finally see something from this movie other than that one image of Brendan Fraser

[@bedford4383]

How are these dudes reviewing the movie when the trailer hasn't even been released? 11 mins of waffle and speculation lol.

[@ConnorLipke]

Unfortunately, the trailer is like 85% just that one image lol. Came out this morning.

[@ConnorLipke]

@@bedford4383 They went to the TIFF premiere. A few hundred people have already seen it. This is how oscar nominations are done for films released very late in the year. Nominations are announced like 3-5 weeks after this film premiers to the public. Anyone relevant enough to vote on those, has already seen it.

[@Chuuzus]

the one review i have been waiting for

[@billysobolik]

I think what will make it even more powerful is that we've only seen Bendon Frasier in movies where he's always up and running and SUPER active the whole time, which he hasn't been able to do since his health decline a few years ago. The irony of the casting was genious.

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

Billy Sobolik It sounds like you've only seen a handful of his 54 movies.

[@jackbennersmoviereviews]

Who I’m predicting for Best Actor: 1. Brendan Fraser - The Whale (Both his comeback value and his rave reviews for performance should have him locked in for a win. Overtime I don’t see a Sean Penn/Mickey Rourke all over again.) 2. Hugh Jackman - The Son (Heard mixed reviews but Jackman seems like a lock and likely going to give an excellent performance.) 3. Austin Butler - Elvis (Seems like a lock for now.) 4. Diego Calva - Babylon (Little worried he might be overlooked by Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie but I’m hoping he gives a good performance.) 5. Colin Farrell - The Banshees of Insiherin (His first Oscar nomination this year could be possible.)

[@98LucasFG]

I was about to comment about Colin Farrell… they said that Fraser is probably winning with Austin Butler maybe being the runner up. But Fraser was up for Best Actor and lost to Colin Farrell in Venice right?!? Let’s wait for the review of Banshees to see if they think Farrell is the actual runner up!

[@cherswigmaker]

Jackman is out. He won’t get enough no.1 votes.

[@98LucasFG]

@@cherswigmaker I’m pretty sure the preferential ballot only happens for Best Picture… I think Jackman will be nominated even with The Son flopping cuz it seems we have a weak Best Actor race this year.

[@poett8875]

I think Diego Calva getting in will be pretty tough. Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt most likely are going to overshadow him.

[@jackbennersmoviereviews]

@@poett8875 I agree.

[@mrosa87]

Got to see this movie premiered at TIFF and it’s in contention for my favourite film of the year. There’s never been a film that has made cry that hard.

[@jsonmnz27]

Brother bro for best supporting actor

[@homeygfunkoffacherryfruitl4971]

I absolutely love that Brendan Fraser has been going through a bit of a revival lately, It just bums me out that it had to come at the cost of his physical condition. Really glad he's getting a chance to play more nuanced roles though, dude has always had mad range. He was great in The Quiet American which I'm sure a lot of people overlooked since it wasn't his typical funny guy action hero role.

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I am 70 and have been obese all my life (14lbs at birth).. Being obese rarely attracts empathy...it actually meets with contempt from most people. With that being the case, for me, I was initially reluctant to see this movie. I just didn't need to be reminded that I was fat. However, I gave in and watched it. It was quite a surprise, when I was confronted with a well written story and a cast that was perfect. Each one of the characters had their own cross to bear and they bought their issues into the main character's (Charlie's) life. Charlie is portrayed as a troubled man, who, through a personal loss, turned to gluttony for comfort. Much like a person who will utilize alcohol or drugs in an effort to mask a personal issue. It is a case of, never make assumptions about someone , before you hear all of their back story. Footnote: I always think it is ironic that, as children, most of us believed in and loved Santa Claus.. you know, the jolly, morbidly obese, guy in the red suit.

[@chuc5o]

There was a Priest? I didn't see that.

[@pgwrks4149]

9:46 My concern exactly. Like a lot of topics here in the U.S. the issue of weight has become very divisive and politicized. And I'm just wondering what are some of the conversations general audiences might have once the film nears it's release date...

[@christianknight727]

I think Fraser has Best Actor locked at this point.

[@harmenmoes9138]

@Christian forgot Farrell not. He have an Great year!

[@lilchaos4792]

I don't think so

[@hermancrab3005]

4 nominations, 1 win Best Picture Best Actor (Fraser) *WINNER* Best Hair and Makeup Best Adapted Screenplay

[@isaacrichter3269]

Hmm, does the fact that Colin Farrell beat Brendan Fraser for the Best Actor award at Venice mean he might be vulnerable? I mean, I know the Best Actor winners at Venice rarely factor into the Oscar race (heck, Joaquin Phoenix didn't win at Venice even when Joker was given the Best Film award that year), but the winners there are usually not as high-profile as Colin Farrell is (and I thought Farrell was terrific in The Banshees of Inisherin). We won't really know until we see how the race shapes up, but I think maybe Colin Farrell could be a bigger threat than we're giving him credit for (and that performance could work as a reminder that he should have been nominated for In Bruges)...

[@mr29]

At Venice the film that wins the Golden Lion is ineligible to win other awards.

[@mr29]

But totally agree with you about Farrell. He's a huge threat to win the Oscar. People are loving him in TBOI.

[@isaacrichter3269]

@@mr29 Oh, I didn't know that... probably explains it, thank you... :)

[@cepho8349]

@@mr29 Yeah, that's the reason why. I think the jury even said something along the lines of "they would have given Joaquin Phoenix the award if the rules would have allowed it".

[@farithfalcon4538]

He is ok in that movie, really good but i don't see that strong enough to beat fraser

[@SrAJones-ns7sx]

Nice review and indeed Brendan deserved the critics choice, SAG and Oscar. Ladies and gentlemen Elvis left the building with Nothing not one Oscar 😂 BFs performance couldnt be copied, mimicked or had tons of material on KZbin to study 🎉

[@jillballantyne1870]

have a daughter get divorced or just be an unavailable parent, then you two guys will understand the teen character.. have kids and grow up not down in life--get older.. you are babies and cannot know what you have not experienced period

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

Jill Ballantyne Excellent comment!

[@thrawncaedusl717]

Aronofsky is one of my three favorite modern directors (along with Tarantino and Nolan), and his Pi is the best film by any of the three. That said, I’m a bit worried about The Whale because I prefer Aronofsky’s more “out there” films (The Wrestler is my least favorite of his). I’ll definitely see it, but I’m only cautiously optimistic about it.

[@spartymatt9627]

Totally agree. My favorite is The Fountain. But hearing interviews it seems like he's hugely passionate about this movie/script, so that gives me hope that this is another passion project of his (like fountain, pi or Requiem) not a more "Hollywood safe" project (like the wrestler)

[@billknight9134]

@@spartymatt9627 dude the fountain is garbage aronofsky is not one of the very best he isn't like Spielberg or Tarantino he is an average director he has made some movies I hate like Noah and mother those movies are cinematic abominations

[@thrawncaedusl717]

@@billknight9134 I kind of agree about The Fountain (Aronofsky’s ambition definitely outstretched his budget on that one). But Mother! and Noah are both fantastic (Noah is fascinating, because any list writes it off as “Aronofsky’s bad film”, but most reviews of it specifically are actually very positive). How harsh they are is the whole point. It might not be your style, but you have to respect the artistry behind it (nobody else could have made those movies, especially mother!). I do consider Aronofsky up with Tarantino (or at least tier 1.5, above the likes of Nolan and Villeneuve) because of how powerful and raw his storytelling is.

[@encheknizam]

I think Brendan Fraser gave a better performance in The Whale than Austin Butler in Elvis.

[@darylstockstell]

Brother bro is becoming so glamorous !

[@thponders]

not the youtube sidebar recommending shallow hal on a review of the whale

[@the.fashionlawyer]

Am I wrong to think Austin still stands a chance?🥺

[@madman00774]

Yes. He came too early in the conversation.

[@davidmitchell-baker1701]

I think Butler is definitely in for a nomination given that he's one of the better praised of the current competition and that the competition seems pretty thin this year, but Fraser feels like a season steamroller this year - even the critics who gave The Whale a negative review said he's excellent, and he's been trending on Twitter every time he makes an appearance these days, people are just so excited for him to come back with such a big role

[@marcor7044]

Yup

[@nancykerrigan]

@@madman00774 Everything Everywhere All At Once also came early in the conversation and yet from what I've seen there's still buzz surrounding that movie and awards chances. Also we're in a post Rami-winning-Best-Actor-for-Bohemian-Rhapsody world so anything is possible.

[@poett8875]

@@davidmitchell-baker1701 and the fact that he’s playing a real life person works in his favor. Since the Oscar tend to love when Actors do that.

[@Jerel_con_jota]

Great chemistry! I always look forward to your reviews.

[@felicekinnearphotography9828]

Dear Oscars Experts. Thank you for what you do and contribute to the world. You guys do a really fantastic job. I love this channel!

[@alittleofeverything4190]

The priest?

[@percyvincent5252]

Give us a post Venice and TIFF Oscar predictions I’m desperate

[@tonyg76]

This movie was ok. Fraser deserves the buzz he is getting. This was quite a challenging role to play. Chau and Sink also did a great job.

[@rodolfoleyva5157]

Austin vs Brendan: 🤔

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, OE! Thanks, BB! 🐳 I finally got to see it. I found it to be very relatable. My eyes are still filled with tears. I loved when OE said, "We observe how every character has built a wall around themselves, to some extent, to protect others from them." That was succinctly and poetically expressed. #TheOscarExpert #DarrenAronofsky #TheWhale

[@keeganthorpe]

Hong Chau would get my vote for a nomination over Sink. Sink was just teen angst. You can see that performance every day on The Young and the Restless. It was just typical angry teen.

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

She had a lot more to be angry about. Do a lot of fathers on soap operas abandon their children for other guys?

[@redred4877]

Chau has a better chance than Sink

[@josephjasem7926]

It’s too soon for Brendan to peak. I fear that he might cool off after Christmas.

[@seankoontz4235]

Will Smith kept up his hype all season and won, so there’s reason to feel pretty good about Brendan. And I haven’t seen The Whale yet, but I feel like his performance will be even better than Smith

[@gabrielbehzadi9182]

@@seankoontz4235 it was miles better

[@maevewileyisqueen9680]

my fave sea creature is seaweed because they make u think they're some sea snake and they're gonna kill you but it's just a freaking grass

[@theembersinside1420]

I haven't seen the movie yet, but the girl u mentioned that u thought was too insulting, etc could be expressing something else. If she's dealing w the situation w her father every day added to going to school at that age, among other things, it can add a level of resentment inside her while she's not even grown enough to have much self awareness. That level of her actions toward her family & him shows EXTREME anger. When you're a young woman at that age, u can become a force of nature if exposed to a life that isn't the norm. I remember being insanely angry at my stepfather & father at that age & can relate.. I appreciate this review. It'll be really interesting, now, when I do see the movie! 😋✌🏻

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

She is justified in her anger. Both of her parents are horrid. She should've petitioned the court to become an emancipated minor, collected her inheritance, and left the country.

[@rodolfoleyva5157]

Bohemian Rapsody also had 60-70, and it got Rami Malek an Oscar 🙃

[@itsybitsy999]

And unlike Brendan, Rami wasn't even that good in the film.

[@kevankwok01]

I found it tedious, cliche, overacted and one dimensional. Completely overrated. It was trying too hard to be moving but in the most obvious way. The theme had promise but the way it was executed felt a bit empty. The angsty teenage daughter, the alcoholic mum, the overprotective no-nonsense but good hearted friend, the innocent but troubled preacher kid. I've seen it all before. I think it over emphasised his physical weight in order to try to depict disgust to the point of him feeling like a caricature. His acting was decent but lacked subtlety. It didn't properly touch on why he has given up on himself when he seemingly is intelligent, somewhat positive and wants to get to know his daughter more. There could have been flashbacks to some more foundational moments of his life to really humanise how he has become the way he is. Worst movie I've seen this year although this year I saw Banshees, Tar, The Menu, Cloud Atlas, Enter the Void and Everything Everywhere all of which I think were more interesting.

[@abhiezibran9654]

Just finished the whale. Hvnt sobbed in a film since aftersun. I don know i dug every sec of this small movie, it certainly hv the heart in the right place. The prosthetics was jarring at first, quickly gone away bcx hw well written the screenplay was, i forgot its based on a play. The editing, score all came into pieces, the supporting cast was bigger tgan i thought and the movie hd more than i thought. There r movies lik Fabelmans, topgun din work for me emotionally, tar only worked wat later still nvr found myself taking away from tar as much as i took away from the whale . I dont know man probably aronofsky is my cup of tea, mother was and still my fv of his works .

[@girlygirl14rulez]

If Sadie sink is going to be the same angsty teenager that she was in stranger things season 4, then no to the Oscar, for now lol

[@elinviktoria]

definitely not the same, max is depressed and suicidal while ellie is a menace who is actually considered evil (her own mother called her evil too so that says a lot)

[@Bella-Hunter]

Completely agree about his performance, he’s winning for sure

[@js7dragon]

Brother Bro has a tear in his right sleeve.

[@malaykatoure8706]

how,about a bones and all review ??,

[@pb.j.1753]

How about it didn’t play at TIFF and they just went to TIFF

[@lilchaos4792]

@@pb.j.1753 Lmao!

[@malaykatoure8706]

@@pb.j.1753 yeah i mean for upcoming times its a suggestion

[@GizmosHouse]

Great, a film I can watch just in time for Thanksgiving

[@pb.j.1753]

Hong Chau for the Oscar let’s goooo

[@caileagnamara]

Samantha Morton is incredible. She also stole the show in her one main scene in She Said. She's got such presence.

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

Why is she only doing one scene in her last 2 movies?

[@AndreFernandesMovies]

I'm gonna say this is a lock for Brendan. I honestly can't see Austin competing with him.. I'm not even sure at this point that Austin will get a nomination. It will depend a lot in the movies that will be releasing in the next few months.

[@manantial773]

Colin Farrell already beat Fraser in Venice.... It is very weird to not even mention him. You did the same mistake last year when you constantly ignored Penelope Cruz beating Kristen Steward in Venice, it does matter.

[@kellybrincks]

Like the channel. Hate the the quick cuts every 5 seconds

[@deputyduffy]

I don't know about this one. I go to the movies to make me happy and laugh, the last thing I want is to cry....

[@PhotogrrlFilms]

Y’all called the Brendan Fraser Oscar really early

[@wordscapes5690]

Ghastly movie - ghastly play. Surprised so many people cannot see this.

[@CONGTHEGUERILLA]

What a beautiful movie. When the whale says “it’s whalin time” and whales all over everybody you can’t help but shed a tear 🥲

[@scottwell4678]

I think Brendan Fraser is a guaranteed lock to be nominated and a 99% chance of winning if anything else the whale for best picture because there's 10 spots

[@FavianTubeX]

i like big gold fish

[@daffaalisajidan]

I need a trailer lol

[@tuckercowsert7767]

Yuh

[@Jerel_con_jota]

¡Gracias!

[@lainedoss2734]

Really? I didn't care at all about any of the characters -- thought they were all terrible people.

[@MusicOrLoseItTV]

Austin Butler will certainly be a best actor contender despite how much Baz Luhrmann tried to sabotage the movie trying to make it hiphop.

[@kd-se3dx]

Wdym. Hip hop in its essence is about rhythm. “Elvis” had phenomenal rhythm, the marriage of image, music, sound, and editing. Baz looks at cinema through the prism of rhythm which I do find beautiful in its own way.

[@MusicOrLoseItTV]

@@kd-se3dx Hip Hop is great but including Doja Cat (who is unlikely to have music career longevity) comes up off as desperately trying to be popular.

[@FMRA46]

Please review Leonor Will Never Die next! Looks promising and very unique

[@billknight9134]

it Is only awards contender for Fraser the rest not at all

[@loganbeaudoin2510]

Priest

[@RCXDinferno]

These two never look comfortable to be sat next to each other 😂

[@gladyschandler6724]

I'm happy for Brendan!

[@aftermath4096]

SPOILER: Ellie in the movie has an abrasive personality because she is a representation of the devil, not Brendan's daughter per se. Multiple remarks in the movie confirm this. It is suggested near the end that she's the one who pushed Brendan's lover off the bridge for example. Also, all the Moby Dick references allude to Brendan being both the Whale and the Narrator (meaning that he wants to kill himself and this is why he eats himself to death literally).

[@moregardening5014]

Where was it suggested that she pushed him? Didn’t get that at all

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

After Math She should've pushed Charlie off a cliff instead. The boyfriend wasn't her enemy, her disgusting father was.

[@hollyshippy7417]

There is so much that is wrong with this movie ... the cramped aspect ratio, and under-lit scenes. The contrived supporting cast. This is exploitive misery porn. I could have watched an episode of "My 600-Hundred Pound Life," and been better off. This is one whale of a bomb.

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

Holly Shippy Agreed! Awful.

[@EamonKelly]

With the 4x3 aspect ratio and the dim lighting, I think that was kinda the point.