Instead, Alan decided to pursue a relationship with Charlie, leading to his father kicking him out of the group and the family. Meet the Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One cast: who's who in the action blockbuster, Why Alexander Skarsgard deserves an Emmy nom for Best Drama Supporting Actor, The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 episode 1 recap: love is lost in more ways than one, Emmerdale star Amy Walsh reveals why she cried after returning to the soap as a new mum, Jack Ryan season 4 episode 5 recap: casino heist, airfield siege, beach standoff, Emmerdale fans baffled by HUGE blunder as Clemmie vanishes. Mary will hate him for this and forbid him to get close to her and her daughter. We can safely say that Ellie is not perfect, but we support Charlie in trying to understand her. Contrary to his perspective, Mary believed that her daughter was pure evil, and she never told Charlie anything about her horrendous behavior because she thought that would reflect badly on her and that people would call her a bad mother. Black Mirror season 6: Beyond The Sea ending explained - Metro Charlie asks Ellie to read the Moby Dick essay to him one last time. Mary had sent the essay to Charlie about four years ago, and since then, he had become obsessed with it. He has nothing left to look forward to in his life, and he was never able to cope with the loss of a loved one. Although it seems like Ellie will rush out the door before she and her father can have one last moment together, she stops and fulfills Charlie's request to hear her read her essay. He tries one last time to convert Charlie, but Charlie dismisses him angrily when he insists Alan died because of his sexuality and turning his back on God. Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. The Whale stars Brendan Fraser in an acclaimed performance as Charlie, a writer and lecturer who lives a reclusive life at home after having spiralled into morbid obesity following a heart-wrenching loss. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Unfortunately, at that point in The Whale, he can't stand or walk, and is therefore unable to prove himself to her. He's tried reconnecting with his daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink), and the pair made some . 7) Jack Ryan - Season 4 Episode 4 Recap & Review. This resulted in Charlie losing contact with his daughter Ellie, which he has always felt guilty about. Thomas firmly said that he disagreed with Lizs opinions, and thats when she told him about what had happened with Alan, Charlies lover, and how New Life was indirectly responsible for his death. However, she stops at the door, tearful, and decides to read it. Bird Box: Barcelona Ending, Explained: What Did Claire Find At The Montjuc Castle. Matt Damon turned down role in Avatar and what would have been a colossal paycheck. Those words worked like a magic spell, and Charlie could finally breathe and calm down. Reviews Inside Darren Aronofsky's messy movie The Whale is something wise about religious trauma The Whale is more than the movie where Brendan Fraser wears a fat suit. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Fraser and Hunter (who also wrote the film's screenplay) shed some light on the ambiguous ending of The Whale. She wanted him to stop being a savior because, in reality, he couldnt do much for Charlie. Thankfully, the young missionary Thomas (Simpkins) is there to help him, reading an essay on Moby Dick that manages to help Charlie gain his composure. Charlie is a professor, and he was married to Mary. Liz took him outside and told him that Charlie didnt need this kind of unnecessary interference in his life, as he always had a lot to deal with. For most of the film, we're left unsure who the author of this essay is. Charlies miserable life came to an end, but before going, he made sure that Ellie knew that she was not a bad human being. The Whaleis one of those movies that want to make you feel uncomfortable. Thomas comes over and tells Charlie that he, Thomas, is going home thanks to Ellie. The Whale is based on a play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter, and Aronofsky's adaptation does a good job of reflecting the intimacy of a stage performance. "What matters is that hes connected with Ellie, hes done the thing that hes been trying to do throughout this entire play, and that connection feels real and genuine. He's not only willing to pay a bunch of money to get her to keep him company but even offers to rewrite her essays to help her graduate. Recently, Fraser has started to work more in front of the camera again with his role as Cliff Steele/Robotman in "Doom Patrol" and appearances in films such as "No Sudden Move" and "Line of Descent." He simply sees helping Ellie as the last thing he can do before dying to leave things on a better note and feel like he did something right. A24 By Tom Moore / Dec. 20, 2022 8:30 am EST Darren Aronofsky, the director of "Black Swan" and "Requiem for a Dream," returns with "The Whale," a new film that sees actor Brendan Fraser make the. But before that can happen, Charlie is determined to reconnect with his estranged daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). Liz's belief that Charlie was broke played a role in some of the sacrifices she's made for him, leaving her feeling like she's been taken advantage of. The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2 Episode 3 Recap & Ending, Explained: What Happens To Conrad? I like to dwell in the cinematic world and ponder over philosophical thoughts. According to Liz, her father, who leads the religious group that Thomas is supposedly a part of, was very hard on Alan after he came back from a mission and decided to not engage in the arranged marriage that he set up for him. Yes, the final scene sees Charlie pass away as a result of his unhealthy and dangerous habits, his heart finally giving out. Ellie decided that there was no point in wasting time over things that couldnt be changed now, so she started leaving, and thats when we came to know about another secret of Charlies life. He always told Liz that he wanted to do one right thing before he died. What the movie tries to do is present an authentic story of pain, exploring feelings, motives, and events that can turn a life upside down. Charlie kept sending her child support and whatever other funds she needed, as he wanted Ellie to be brought up in the best possible manner. On the TV side he enjoys Peaky Blinders, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Saturday Night Live, Only Murders in the Building and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. About halfway through "The Whale," Charlie tries to retrieve a key sitting atop a closed door only for it to fall into a place he can't reach. He asks her to read it to him one last time now that he is dying, but she refuses and goes to leave. Throughout the film, The Whale, we see that Thomas keeps coming back again and again because he thinks that he can help Charlies cause. His ex-wife Mary (played by Samantha Mortin) doesnt want him to see Ellie either, but he perseveres and maintains hes sorry about being such an absent and neglectful father. The unauthorized use and the copy of contents without express authorization is forbidden. All Images property of their respective owners. As she does, Charlie struggles to his feet and, without any assistance, takes painful steps toward Ellie, doing what he wanted her and his students to do be completely honest and reveal their true selves. While it is nice that he tries to find the good in things, it can lead to him ignoring real problems in his life and not being able to confront things. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-auralcrave_com-box-4-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'auralcrave_com-box-4','ezslot_11',139,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-auralcrave_com-box-4-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-auralcrave_com-box-4-0_1-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'auralcrave_com-box-4','ezslot_12',139,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-auralcrave_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-139{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. The Whale follows Charlie (Fraser), a morbidly obese man who tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink). Identifying ourselves in Charlie, Ellie, and their stories, the meaning and the ending ofThe Whaleare explained: Charlie knows hes dying, and there is nothing hes doing to prevent it. Charlie says it clearly for the whole movie: he doesnt want to be saved. Does Charlie die? See You In My 19th Life Episode 10 Recap & Ending, Explained: Does Ji Eum Attack Seo Ha? Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film follows morbidly obese literature teacher Charlie (Fraser) as he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink), who is torn up after Charlie left her and her mother to start a relationship with a man years earlier. And by the end of the play, I was sobbing., He continued: So that was really exciting as a potential for cinema because thats when movies are the best, when you meet characters that are unexpected but you are completely connected. 'The Whale' Ending Explained: Does Charlie Die? - Decider The Whale is not based on a true story. He will begin a self-punishing descent into obesity that will ruin his life. Charlie had a habit of exuding the utmost positivity even in the direst of circumstances, and its likely that he saw a silver lining in Ellies behavior as well, despite the fact that she portrayed the most abhorrent side of herself in front of him. Discover other movies and TV shows explained on Auralcrave, Auralcrave founder, web content creator since 2010, life coach, husband, father, fond of art, culture, society, psychology, economics, politics, games. From her first appearance, it's tough to get a read on Ellie because of how closed off she is, and you can't help but question her real intentions. It's easy to get swept up in the emotions of Darren Aronofsky 's searing drama The Whale, which follows Brendan Fraser as Charlie, a reclusive, 600-pound literature professor struggling, in the. The Whale premiered on December 9 and is an emotional psychological drama starring Fraser. Movies The 'cathartic release' of 'The Whale' explained by the play's actors and directors Actors playing Charlie in stage productions of "The Whale," from left: Matthew Arkin at South Coast. His blood pressure has jumped to dangerous . Absolutely. As Ellie completes the reading, Charlie starts to ascend to the heavens as he looks up towards a white light in the sky. The Whale ending explained: On the last day of his life, Liz returns to Charlie to take care of him. In the opening moments, he becomes short of breath and nearly passes out. Yet, with Darren Aronofsky helming, it feels like a dark slice of reality, as some of Charlie's students can be seen reacting inshock around his square in the chatroom. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). It was surprising that even after Ellie was extremely rude and unsympathetic towards Charlie, he believed that she was a good human being. Adapted from Samuel D. Hunters play, The Whale is the story of an English teacher who is suffering from an eating disorder and other unresolved issues in his life. The Whale premiered on December 9 and is an emotional psychological drama starring Fraser. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Fraser gave his interpretation on the ending. The conversation takes a turn when Thomas tries to "save" Charlie. When Thomas is chastised by Liz or Ellie does something that even her mother views as evil, Charlie always shows compassion to those around him. As shown in the opening shots, Charlie keeps his webcam off when talking to his class because he doesn't want them to see what he looks like. Spectators were obviously puzzled: what is the meaning of the ending? If you need help with an eating disorder or know someone who is, help is available. She let bygones be bygones, and it felt like somebody had lifted a huge burden from her shoulders. When we first saw him on camera, he was watching an adult film, and a missionary named Thomas walked in upon him. However, Fraser and Hunter point out that the underlying theme is redemption and liberation. Liz later brings Ellie's mother Mary to Charlie's apartment and the parents end up rowing over Ellie, while Liz is furious to learn of the money that Charlie has not spent on his health and instead gives to Ellie, prompting Liz to abandon him. In Darren Aronofskys film, the most uncomfortable scenes are the ones where Charlie, the protagonist, played by the brilliant Brendan Frazer, loses his control and eats everything in sight. Liz felt betrayed, but Charlie tried to make her understand why it was so important for him to do so. To find out more, including GDPR Compliance and how to control cookies, see our Privacy, Cookie & GDPR Policy. Premiere cinemas, digital services. That particular Whale scene was one in which Ellie and Charlie first begin spending time together after Charlie agrees to help her write an essay for school. seriously, how else could it be ended? Alongside Fraser and Sink, the film stars Hong Chau as Charlies best friend and nurse Liz, Ty Simpkins as Christian missionary Thomas and Samantha Morton as Ellies mother Mary. Although it just seems like nothing at first, Ellie uses these photos for disturbing projects. Darren Aronofsky ends the film on a fantastical vision of Charlie on the beach with Mary and Ellie. But even then, Charlie didnt like a word his wife said and stuck to his opinion that it was only the circumstances that had made her into a devil, though deep down, she was a good human being who wanted to help others. She always needed a loving father, and having it with so many years of delay is unbearable. When it comes to the most anticipated movies of 2022, theres simply no way audiences can ignore The Whale. I discuss the story focussed on Brendan Fraser as Charlie who is looking to repair the relationship. He wanted his daughter to know that she was not a bad human being but a victim of the circumstances. However, even when Charlie hits his lowest point, he is able to find the good in things again, leading to an emotional final sequence between him and Ellie. The film is highly predictable, and there is no plot point that you dont see coming, probably because Darren Aronofsky paid more attention to creating an imagery that breaks stereotypes and prejudices than to creating an authentic storyline that has something new to offer the audience. Depending on your belief system, spiritually or otherwise, we see that Charlie with a touch of magic realism finally does fly.. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Charlie's journey throughout "The Whale" is about finding and understanding the truth about yourself without losing that sense of compassion that makes us care for one another as well as ourselves. He cannot see his beloved daughter. But Charlie was not interested in any of those things. When Liz arrives and sees this (with Ellie's mom), she learns that Charlie convinced Ellie to spend time with him by offering the money. In this article, everything about the core ofThe Whale will be explained. To get Ellie to spend more time with him, Charlie makes an offer that he'll pay her for the time she spends with him. The film has received mixed-to-positive reviews so far, with critics being nearly unanimous in their praise of Fraser's performance. Subscribe to Radio Times magazine and get 12 issues for 1, The Whale review: An eloquent and powerful look at redemption, The Whale writer reveals moment he knew Brendan Fraser was perfect for role. Actor Brendan Fraser finally explains his interpretation of The Whale's final scene, which is rather ambiguous, and what it means about Charlie. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film follows morbidly obese literature teacher Charlie (Fraser) as he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink), who is torn up after. The Tragic Beauty In The Final Scene Of THE WHALE | Breakdown & Ending I review, breakdown and explain The 2022 Movie The Whale. I believe in the kind of cinema that not necessarily makes you laugh or cry but moves something inside you. All Rights Reserved. The Whale movie meaning. Visit our corporate site. The choice to end the film on this flashback to a beloved memory likely signifies Charlie is at peace with how he left things and acts as a harmonious and fulfilling ending to his journey. The Whale (2022) Ending Explained - What happens to Charlie? Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Fraser gave his interpretation on the . Here we break down the film's ending, and the layers behind its many themes. Bath Ultimately, The Whale leaves us with a sense of impotence and a precise meaning: we watched a compact series of broken individuals, and we only learned that blaming someone makes no sense. Liz, however, is not pleased by Thomas' visits and dissuades him from returning by revealing that she and Alan were adopted by the Church leader, and it was Alan's inability to reconcile his sexuality with his faith that contributed to his death. They attack everything they face because they are hurt. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Thats why Charlie triggers her hate so much: he represents the reason why everything went south in her life. The inclusion of a memory to a family vacation with Charlie, Mary and Ellie may be just Charlie recalling happier times. By Gabriella Geisinger Updated: 27 February 2023 The Whale has received. By Michael Balderston published 9 December 2022 Brendan Fraser stars in The Whale. This reveal makes sense since he constantly said he was "new" to the group and didn't know the name of Liz's father, who leads the group. It was a very chaotic situation where Thomas got scandalized by seeing that he was watching explicit content, which for him was probably a sin, and then he didnt know what to do because Charlie told him not to call an ambulance. As he reaches Ellie, he takes a final deep breath, looks up and everything fades to white as Charlie dies. Meet the Mortal Engines cast: who's who in the Peter Jackson fantasy epic, When is Casualty next on? The Whale movie review & film summary (2022) | Roger Ebert Hunter, who also adapted the screenplay for film, based the story on his own experience with obesity in college. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The feeling is that he didnt do a single good thing in his life: thats why Charlie feels no purpose; there is no reason to improve his life. Brendan Fraser Shares His Interpretation of The Whale's Final Scene At first, it's tough to figure out what this spare bedroom exactly is, but it eventually becomes pretty clear. There are a wealth of reasons to be excited about the 2022 American drama movie, mainly because its been teased as Brendan Frasers triumphant comeback. The Whale | Ending Explained - Colossus Although Ellie's photography might seem harmless at first, it has big implications for those in the photos, and it doesn't always yield positive results. Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, Hunter did not confirm Charlie's fate in regards to the play: "When asked about the ending, Hunter didnt clarify Charlies status because, he said, its not necessarily relevant. In 2019, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary scientists discovered a much fresher whale fall on the 3,200-meter-deep Davidson Seamount. Charlie is an isolated online English professor who hides under the pretense of a broken webcam so as to avoid showing himself to his students. As she reads, Charlie stands up and attempts to walk towards her, which he had failed to do when Ellie first visited. Despite this, Charlie is adamant that he will not go to the hospital, saying he can't afford it. One day Liz came from her work and once again found him in Charlies house. IMDb site. Reddit, Inc. 2023. For many viewers, the scene may seem tragic and to others, the religious undertones may evade their understanding. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. How This Whale Carcass Became the Ocean's Hottest Housing Complex Directed by Darren Aronofsky from a screenplay by Samuel D. Hunter, The Whale ends on a somber yet hopeful note. Meanwhile, a young man named Thomas shows up to preach to Charlie about the New Life church; Charlie entertains him and the two strike up a strange bond. Starring Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chow, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton. .css-6owf8s{display:block;font-family:Montserrat,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0.025rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-transform:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-6owf8s:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-6owf8s{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-6owf8s{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-6owf8s{text-align:center;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-6owf8s{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}Hollyoaks' John Paul attack story in 20 pictures, Home and Away reveals Andrew ordeal in 14 pictures, Every MCU movie ranked from worst to best. His blood pressure was quite high, and she diagnosed that if he kept on going like that, he would not live much longer. Liz is shown to be protective of Charlie from the start, and the story of Alan's death establishes why. The whale's decomposing body is located at what is called the Clayoquot Slope Bullseye site, . Ellie had written in her analysis how, throughout the story, the author was just trying to save his audience from his own sad story. Years later, Alan struggles to manage his life; his family refuses him for his choices. One thing that stands out as strange is how she takes pictures of Charlie and Thomas at different points in the film. Alan's death also impacted her because he was her brother. Theater Review: Communing With a 600-Pound Man in The Whale - Vulture She told him to write his essays after she learned that he taught the same thing at his university. The movie concludes with Charlie ascending to heaven in a rather surreal moment, although not one that is exactly atypical of the directors body of work. For more information, please see our The Whale Explained | Ending + Plot Details | Brendan Fraser We saw that as soon as Thomas started reading the lines of the analysis, which was undeniably quite bluntly written by an anonymous student, Charlies pain started to wither away. Charlie accepted that he hadnt done anything right in his life, and for the same reason, his conscience was burdened with guilt, so much so that he had lost the will to live. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. Whether he is in the afterlife, or reliving his favourite memory before his death, or whether this is simply a moment from the past for the audience's eyes that's up to you. 3) Hijack - Episode 3 Recap & Review.