My week started off with watching ‘Society of the Snow’ and last night I finally got to watch A24’s ‘The Whale’, directed by Darren Aronofsky, written by Samuel D Hunter (and based on his play). Starring Brendan Foster and Sadie Sink.
There is something about films being made that are based on plays; Dial M for Murder comes to mind. The sets for the films are simple, stage-like affairs. I think I’d call this style ‘Intimisme’, because with The Whale you have a cast of seven actors who move around a beautifully crafted set, which becomes the centre of expressing the pain of their soul.
But where’s the action? We are always told that it’s all about the action, aren’t we, but in Aronofsky’s ‘The Whale’ we have the intimacy of pain, of Charlie (Brendan Fraser) and Ellie (Sadie Sink), in fact every character save for the Young Ellie, brings their pain to Charlie’s apartment.
And, you are carried along by the dialogue, carried on waves of emotion, waves of pain and you get astonishing performances from every actor on this set. I don’t know why I was so surprised, astonished even, at Brendan Fraser’s performance; it goes beyond the heavy prosthetic he had to wear. Beyond ‘George of the Jungle’ and ‘The Mummy’ and it turns out that he is a great actor, which perhaps shows that any level of performance is all down to the material.
As Charlie says towards the end of the film, ‘People are amazing’. He’s talking about you and me, about us and our resilience, our tenacity for life. That we keep on going, no matter what is thrown at us. Note to self: It turns out that Life can throw us more than one curve ball, simultaneously!
I’ve included in this post, the link to the final scene, with its over-swell of emotion. This is a stunning performance from the small intimate cast of life’s heroes.
I recommend that if you haven’t watched this film yet, that you will make it a priority to do so. If you have watched it, then please leave your thoughts on this little masterpiece below.
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The Whale was an amazing film and experience. A relatively simple film steeps in humanity and emotion. I was blown away. What did you think of Society Of The Snow, Geoff Hall?
Sam Sokolow hey there Sam! How are you doing? I posted something here on Society of the Snow:
https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing/Society-of-the-Snow-visual-effects
But then, further down in the comments after I had watched the film, I posted my response. I was blown away by it in many aspects. The direction and cinematography, the actors and the music. I found it harrowing. The scenes where they are cocooned in the fuselage of the plane and you’re thinking thank goodness for a safe(ish) space for these poor souls to be in, and then…the avalanche! The safe space becomes a tomb. What a great emotional switch, it just twists you around and piles on the psychological tension.
However, there was a proleptic moment sometime before that avalanche, when in the distance we see and hear an avalanche. It was a beautifully crafted film, even in the face of such suffering and so full of pathos.
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I haven't watched The Whale yet. I know that I need to be in the right head space for a film of that nature. I look forward to finally seeing it when the time is right. I've always been a HUGE Brendan Fraser fan. Another fantastic performance of his over the last few years is Doom Patrol on Max. He does the voiceover for his character and physically plays the role in flashbacks throughout the series. He's always incredible.
Ashley Renee Smith that’s something else to add to the list. Thanks! But The Whale is a must see film. It just sucks you in to the plight of the characters. And Sadie Sink is also amazing.
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It takes a studio like A24 to take a chance on a film like this. I saw an interview with Samuel D Hunter on how they took about 10 years to make the film because they couldn't find the right actor to play the part. It fell in place when Brendan Fraser took on the role. I like this film, it's dialogue so tight, so interesting, it keeps you wondering, how did he get here, what was his trauma. I got very emotional at the end, this well formed character, his life, gone. Again, not surprised it has garnered acclaim.
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I cannot wait to watch it, Geoff Hall - in general and now based on your review as I respect your taste. Thanks!!
Sam Sokolow thank you Sam. If I’m ever in LA we’ll have to have a drink together. Or maybe tell me if you are in London and I can pop across the country and do the same. Let me know what you think when you’ve watched The Whale, please.
Greg Wong agreed, Greg. I love the A24 ethos and their ingenuity. Brendan Fraser is an amazing talent. I would to work with them in the future. He has that emotional sensitivity as an actor, that is magnetic to any audience. We can totally relate to his characterisation in this film.