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 ‘Joker’ (2019)
Brutal homicides, cigarettes and a cool as f*ck slow-motion dance down the stairs sequence (just ignore the Gary […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Misdirection’ (2023)
Every now and again you’re given a film that doesn’t necessarily have a start, middle and end but still manages to […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Psycho’ (1960)
On June 16th, 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s rollercoaster of suspense, Psycho, first premiered in New York. On October […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)
We find ourselves at the turn of the 20th century following the life of miner turned oilman, Daniel Plainview […]
The 24 Most Memorable Movie Psychos
From the dawn of film, there has come a multitude of villainous characters over the years, from the cartoonish to […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Our Friend’ (2019)
Our Friend, a true story based on the article written by journalist, Matthew Teague, follows the life of a family […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ (2017)
After the local authorities fail to catch the people responsible for committing unthinkable crimes against her […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992)
Death Becomes Her follows the toxic friendship of Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) and Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn). […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Red Fox’ (2023)
Red Fox tells a powerful tale of blurred “justice” and despair, as a bunch of deluded folk of faith hunt a homeless […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Batman’ (2022)
As we tour Gotham city on a dark, rainy night accompanied by a gritty narration announcing it’s “October 31st”, you […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Poor Things’ (2023)
As we settle into our red velvet seats at Tyneside Cinema, it becomes clear that their gorgeously old-fashioned, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Orchid Moon’ (2023)
Orchid Moon follows the life of Harry (Jake Waring), a troubled individual with a burden he must suppress by any […]