Brendan Fraser makes a triumphant big-screen comeback in the powerful drama The Whale. Director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) collaborates with Samuel D. Hunter to adapt the latter's stage play, and Fraser has landed an Oscar nomination for his role as Charlie. He's an obese and ailing English teacher who reaches out to his estranged daughter for one final shot at redemption.
Fraser reveals subtle layers to Charlie's melancholy, peppering the character's isolated existence with moments of levity and sharp insight. Strong support comes from Sadie Sink as Charlie's anger-fuelled daughter Ellie, while Oscar nominee Hong Chau portrays Charlie's caustic yet compassionate carer Liz. Samantha Morton also appears as Charlie's embittered ex-wife Mary.
The Whale has screened in advance for Cineworld Unlimited members and the reactions are in. Will Fraser claim his first Oscar? Is the movie another triumph for Aronofsky? Scroll down to see what people have been saying about the movie.
Really heavy (but brilliant) film. It was dark, hard-hitting, thought-provoking, powerful, emotional and beautifully acted. There were a lot of tears in my screening! Will certainly be on my mind for a while. #TheWhale #TheWhaleMovie
— Wado Reviews (@WadoReviews) January 26, 2023
Superb movie with an amazing performance from Brendan Fraser. Very emotional and thought provoking, so many moments that really grabbed my heart strings. Well worth seeing on the big screen.
— Blazing Minds (@BlazingMinds) January 26, 2023
It’s a real heartbreaker.
— Kyle Snape (@kylemsnape) January 26, 2023
I’m so happy for Brendan Fraser. He deserves the world and I hope this signals his big comeback. Great performances all around and seeing a man on the brink of death just trying to find some redemption before he kicks the bucket will always be saddening
Not a fan of Aranofsky or that aspect ratio … but got so involved in the writing and performances I forgot all that. OK it was a bit stagey at times and the music was a little manipulative but a very powerful, thought provoking piece.
— Jackie Sheppard (@sheppardjackie) January 26, 2023
incredible film - if Fraser doesn't win big for this there's no justice. a kind and funny role as well as a sad one, which sums up the film too. Hong Chau and Sadie Sink are brilliant and biting, and Ty Simpkins has come a long way from Iron Man 3!
— ObiMoo 💗💛💙 (@_ObiMoo) January 27, 2023
Absolutely loved it. 10/10 movie but not an easy watch. Multi-layered with the psychology of overeating (and over feeding) playing underneath the emotional story of a dad trying to reconnect with his daughter. Fraser is a shoe-in for me as Best Actor. Wonderful.
— 🅻🅰🆁🆁🆈 🅱🅰🅽🅳🅰 🇺🇦 (@TheLarryBanda) January 26, 2023
Brendan Fraser gave an absolutely incredible & very devastating performance and 100% deserves that Oscar. Sadie Sink & Hong Chau are also brilliant in this film. I was on the verge of tears at the end. I won’t forget at the end with the audience crying and walking out in silence pic.twitter.com/VLwxTJaVve
— ForkyBros Presents (@forkybros) January 26, 2023
Missed the screening? The Whale is released at Cineworld on February 3rd. Will Brendan Fraser win the Oscar? Be sure to keep up with our Oscars 2023 coverage for all the latest updates.
Your next Unlimited screening is the riveting Missing on February 1st. In this sequel to the hit found-footage movie Searching, a young girl must search through her missing mother's app and phone history to get the bottom of a shocking secret. Watch the trailer below.
If you haven't joined Unlimited yet, now is the perfect time to do so. Capitalise on advance screenings, fun offers and a lot more from £10.99 a month.
Watch the following clip to find out more and then click here to join Unlimited.
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