1/16/22 - The Whale (2022) - 5+/10

From page to picture, extremely emotionally manipulative but without completely sacrificing its worthiness. The script is dispiriting and domineering with its heavy handling and acidic subject. It’s painful at each and every bend, which it relishes in. That is then paired with similar calculated direction & scoring. It isn’t unfounded or unusual, but it did feel intensely shrewd and intent on getting under your skin. I had some objections to the nature of the story and its bitter vilifications, but that was a hurdle it mostly still cleared despite my reservations.

There is an unsavoriness of the unsightly subject matter - fat shaming, enabling and co-opting overweight acting - but it appears to come from a personal place and appreciation from the original author that I am ill informed on. I had trouble releasing its off-putting grip throughout the film, especially when it vehemently feels the need to drown you in bitterness and misery. Thankfully, the skill and empathy of the actors provides a buoy. 

Frazier and Chau are both fantastic. Chau expertly threads the needle of harsh societal isolation, pitious codependent enabling from a compassionate chamber of the heart, and insistence despite recognition. She is grounded and powerful. All while playing out her doomed platonic amiability with Frazier’s protagonist. It was smart casting to insert him into this role, being a darling of the system and audience that has been trampled down and lost in a sense. Capitalizing on that, he delivers a personal and intently piercing presence behind the prosthetics. There is a charitable soul manifesting through the pain and impending presence despite every hardship. It is the type of role married to performance that exalts to make a film experience a richer one.

I think this film needed Frazier, with his smile and sadness, to free it from being a crushing gruel. I still found it overbearing in its cunning and its wickedness, but I appreciated the acting on display enough.