Review: The Whale

Screening Schedule - March to April

Fri

The Whale is not a whale of a time. And that is probably the upper extent of glibness that can be directed at this film, which wallows in a morbid fascination with a very ill man in the final week of his life.

It will certainly provoke a powerful emotional response, and definitely some discussion. But, just like Oscar-nominated Brendan Fraser, encased in a fleshy suit that makes him appear to weigh 600 pounds, it is difficult to see what is really inside.

Director Darren Aronofsky’s films generally follow the self-demise of a damaged character, trapped by their own obsessions, such as Natalie Portman’s Nina dancing herself to death in Black Swan (2010).

Brendan Fraser’s Charlie is unable to either help himself, or seek help, as his labouring heart begins to fail – much to the extreme frustration and anger of his only friend and nurse, Liz (Hong Chau).

Charlie’s descent into binge eating was triggered by the suicide of a partner who he left his wife and child for. He now teaches English online to a class of young students, but always with his webcam off.

The film is framed in the proportions of Charlie’s blank Skype window, surrounded by a grid of bright and attentive faces on his laptop screen, narrower than the full cinema screen width. Perhaps this implies that we, the audience, have a secret viewpoint denied to everyone else. While Fraser’s warm tones project avuncular wisdom, his colossal, dingily lit form –surrounded by partially eaten pizza, and chocolate bar wrappers – seems to encourage us to see him, uncomfortably, as a monster.

As well as Liz’s regular and affectionately hectoring presence, three other characters appear to suddenly disrupt the fading pattern of Charlie’s life. Thomas (Ty Simpkins), a young missionary from an evangelical church, arrives at his door in time to save him from a seizure. Regrettably for everyone, he then decides that bringing spiritual salvation to the dying man is his calling in life. But true hope arrives in the form of Ellie (Stranger Thing’s star Sadie Sink), Charlie’s daughter, who he abandoned eight years ago. The extremely hostile teenager agrees to spend time with her father in return for his life’s savings, but wastes no time in making the harm his absence in her life has caused abundantly clear. For my money, Sink truly deserved this film’s Oscar nomination, with her searing and utterly truthful depiction of a young person lashing out at an unfair world. Lastly, Ellie’s mother Mary (Samantha Morton) appears to retrieve her daughter. Left alone with Charlie, we assume that an even more savage scene of verbal recrimination is to follow, but thankfully this film excels in surprising us where character interactions are involved.

Adapted by Samuel D Hunter from his own stage play of the same name, the theatrical origins are obvious. Long pregnant pauses, as characters turn away from each other and gaze upstage right or out to the audience, are either incredibly clumsy or knowingly affected.

As many films reaching for profundity seem eager to do, there is also a less than subtle Moby Dick metaphor woven throughout, giving the title a double meaning.

The Whale is a film you probably won’t ever want to see a second time, and its intent is at times murky and even reprehensible. However, the central performances also make it an unforgettable cinema experience that you are likely to ponder for long time afterwards.

And now for something completely different: Today at the Village Theatre, kids of all ages will have the chance to sing along to Disney’s Moana, with the lyrics helpfully provided on screen. And at 8pm, the sequel to DC’s most family-friendly superhero debuts in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Superpowers are all very well, but are they nearly enough to overcome Dame Helen Mirren as the most fearsome villainess yet?

Sat 8 8:00 Empire of Light (M)

Sun 9 5:00 Women Talking (RP13)

8:00 The Whale (M) FINAL

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THIS PROGRAMME:

MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE at 8pm

For only $20 a ticket, which includes complimentary drink/nibbles, enjoy a “fun night out”. Gather all your friends for a great night & be in to win some spot prizes! See programme for more details. SAT

A “mythic adventure”, set in the South Pacific 2,000 years ago. Follows a young girl who sets out to find a fabled island, joined by Pacific demigod Maui. With words on screen to help you sing along.

CLASSIC DISNEY SINGALONGS for kids/family

Just till the end of March, come along & singalong to some of your favourite Disney films on Fridays at 4pm. See programme for more details. FRIDAYS 4pm THURS

Movie Descriptions

MOANA: DISNEY SINGALONG (PG) 1hr45m Kids/Family

ADVENTURE/MUSIC

REDEMPTION OF A ROGUE (R16) Drama 1hr30m

A bible black comedy about a prodigal son returning to his hometown to seek salvation for his sins. Filled with guilt and shame, he returns to his hometown in the cold austere beauty of West Cavan.

EMPIRE OF LIGHT (M) Drama/Romance 2hrs

Olivia Colman and Colin Firth star in this love story set around a beautiful old cinema in the 1980’s on the South Coast of England. It follows cinema manager Hilary and Stephen a new employee.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES (M) 2hr15m

The story follows a charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers who undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

ACTION/ADVENTURE/FANTASY

WOMEN TALKING (RP13) Drama 1hr40m

The story follows a group of women in an isolated Mennonite religious colony in Bolivia as they struggle to reconcile their faith with a string of sexual assaults committed by the men.

6 th FINAL HORROR MOVIE

For our final Friday night horror movie (on a Thursday in April, as Friday 7th is Good Friday) we are screening “Scream VI” rated R16. See programme for more details.

MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE (M) Comedy/Drama 1hr50m

“Magic” Mike Lane takes to the stage again after a lengthy hiatus, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida.

LION KING: DISNEY SINGALONG (G) 1hr30m Kids/Family

The epic African adventure of a young lion called Simba struggling to accept responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role as king of the jungle. With words on screen to help you sing along.

MUSICAL

FROZEN: DISNEY SINGALONG (G) 1hr40m Kids/Family

Fearless optimist Anna sets off with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven to find her sister, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Sing along.

LIVING (PG) Drama 1hr40m

Bill Nighy stars as a veteran civil servant in 1950’s London. Buried under paperwork at the office, lonely at home, his life has long felt empty. Then a shattering medical diagnosis forces him to take stock.

SCREAM VI (R16) HORROR 2HRS

In this 6th instalment, the four survivors of the Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter in New York City, only to be pursued once again by a new knife-wielding maniac.

ADVENTURE/MUSIC