After a long hiatus, audiences at Tyneside Cinema welcome the beautiful soul that is Brendan Fraser back to the big screen for Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale.
No stranger to dependency-fueled features, Aronofsky trades in the class A’s for fast food. Based on Samuel D. Hunter’s play of the same name, we follow the story of Charlie (Fraser) an individual trapped within the confines of his apartment due to his morbid obesity and debilitating health.
As we open with Charlie being caught in quite an embarrassing situation (quite the understatement), the first full sentence we hear is that of an essay on Moby Dick. And with that, the tone is set as we journey into a world of both obsession and addiction. Packed with symbolism from the get-go, we see Charlie struggle to his feet revealing, not only just how big he truly is, but also a patch of back sweat resembling that of a Whale’s tale.
Set predominantly within the four walls of his apartment, with brief glimpses of happier times, you can truly immerse yourself in the lead character’s lifestyle.
Fraser truly embodies the role and wears his heart on his sleeve, giving a stunningly, authentic performance throughout.
As well as a brilliant supporting ensemble, perfect casting doesn’t even come close to describing the main man himself. Having gone through his fair share of traumatic trials and tribulations off-screen, Fraser truly embodies the role and wears his heart on his sleeve, giving a stunningly, authentic performance throughout.
A tremendously, heartfelt story of loss and the devastating effects that can come with it. However, one thing is for sure… cinema snacks definitely aren’t advised as we see a man on a self-destructive path, filling a void and eating his way into an early grave.
Jacked In Reviews ‘Titane’ (2021)
As the movie opens – following a brief tour of the underbelly of an automobile – we see a middle-aged […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Klaus’ (2019)
After being labelled as the postal academy’s worst employee, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) is reassigned to a frozen […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Natura’ (2023)
From the opening shot, you’re immediately captured by an open woodland which truly readies you for being emersed in […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Longlegs’ (2024)
We open on an Oregon farm in the dead of winter through the POV of what looks like a ‘70s home video. A young child […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Call the Shepherd – Lambing Time’ (2023)
As we follow the day in the life of a lamb farmer, from the get-go it’s clear that this documentary is going to […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Dream Scenario’ (2023)
We recently paid a visit to Tyneside Cinema’s Gallery screen. The intimate space and alternative setting provided a […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Hellraiser’ (2022)
After a 4 year hiatus, a new Hellraiser dawns on the big (well, depending on the size of your television) screen […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ (2021)
As the eerie paranormal music begins to play over the opening credits of Ghostbusters: Afterlife you’re immediately […]
11 Ways ‘Wanted’ Is Miles Away From Its Darkly Bizarre Comic Book Origins
In 2008 audiences were met with the movie Wanted starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie. The story sees […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Bite The Hand’ (2023)
Bite the Hand sees Grace (Lucy Shervington), an individual attending counselling for depression brought on by her […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Iron Giant’ (1999)
The Iron Giant follows the story of Hogarth, a young boy who befriends a giant robot from outer space. Not knowing […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (2023)
As we open on our favourite racoon giving us a tour of Knowhere (the Guardian’s latest HQ destination) to […]