“The Whale”: The Comeback of a Lifetime

A Cinemagazine Mini Review

The Whale

Starring Brendan Frasier.

Brendan Fraser delivers the comeback performance of a lifetime in director Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale”. Encapsulating the essence of Charlie and his pinching desire to reconnect with an estranged daughter Ellie, Fraser portrays the recluse in a subtle, yet compelling manner, truly shedding light on the nuances that modern mainstream films tend to skimp on. The world-building of this film remains stagnant as viewers are boxed into the confinements of the English teacher’s hauntingly calm apartment room, but Aronofsky has proven once again that sharp camera angles, vivid cinematography, and powerful dialogue can make a film Oscar-worthy— and that he did. Although controversial in its essence, “The Whale” solidified Brendan Fraser’s return to Hollywood in the best way possible: as an Academy Award winner, and an actor that is worth more than just his looks.