I used to weigh about 400 lbs and can relate with a lot of the struggles of obesity and just not caring about yourself. I got weight loss surgery and am down to 215 and healthy. I'm glad this movie is showing the dangers of obesity instead of the stupid body positive crap.
I hear you. At my heaviest I was 225kg. I'm down to 197kg nearing the end of this year. I've seen this film. It was uncomfortable for me to watch at times. It's the mirror reflecting the harsh reality of what it's like. Both mentally and physically. Still, I was very much moved by the film and I tend to think it's far more compassionate than it is hateful. But it sure as shit doesn't shy away from the reality of it. On the one hand, I felt incredibly frustrated. Given where I am now, I just wanted to slap the guy and tell him to help himself. But then I had to remind myself that's where I was one year ago. It reminded me of just how awful depression is when you're under it. You can have all the willpower in the world but if you're in that dark place mentally it's hard to get out of. So I felt some compassion for this guy. Is the character flawed? Very much so. But he is still a human being and having suffered depression, I know how tough it is to get out of that hole. It is easy to say "eat less and you'll lose weight" but when your body is so abused it is harder than it looks to full on reset. I applaud those who can do it. But I also have compassion knowing how difficult it can be to get out of your own way.
Good art reflects life. Even the side of life you don't always want to see. And this film entirely reflects a side of life that perhaps isn't the most comfortable for people to confront or empathize with. But I applaud it for doing so. I applaud it for its honesty. I applaud it for its compassion. I applaud that it doesn't try to sugarcoat it in risk of hurting someones fee fees. I applaud it for being so entirely human. Maybe that's why people are so uncomfortable by it. Because it is asking them to reflect on themselves with harsh reality and truth. Especially in a time where we have become so remarkably soft.
@@danmann861 Yeah I had a feeling I might be asking for a comment like that haha. What I'm referring to is (as far as I know) he is a wholesome person without any scandals surrounding him.
I have a friend who is exactly like the whale, it’s so tragic. No matter what I say to him it makes no difference, his resigned to being 60 stone. He hasn’t slept in a bed for 6 years, his life is sitting on a couch. He has multiple health problems, no family.
In an interview Fraser said that its not just padding,they actually put real weight in the padding so he would have trouble moving around. Real dedication,gotta be honest.
I guess Brendan's ex-wife will be smacking her little old flippers together at the thought of taking even more from the man. People really should check in on him IRL.
it is definitely divisive. Speaking as someone who is in the 400 pound territory and is currently trying to change his life around, this film was frustrating but also surprisingly honest and compassionate in terms of its treatment towards depression. Last year, I went through a heavy bout of depression. At my heaviest I weighed 225KG. Right now I’m down to 197KG after 4 months. I felt this film on so many levels and it really moved me but also frustrated me. But I had to remind myself, that’s where I was once upon a time in my life. It’s an incredibly human film that will divide the audiences straight down the middle. I was taken by it and I think it’s a really nice companion piece to The Wrestler. Which was also a film partially about a fractured father-daughter relationship. I like the film more than I don’t, but I can’t deny that some people will flat out hate it and be disgusted by it. But I think that makes for good art. Art reflects harsh realities. And this movie doesn’t shy away from the harsh truth. It’s partially why it made me so uncomfortable. It was reflecting the worst of who I once was.
I am glad to see this type of response to the movie, I was worried that the director was maybe losing his touch. However since you honestly told us on what’s it is like and especially the positives, I am glad of the fact the the Whale is a diverse film that has good qualities.
@@DoomBoy8000 I found it’s honesty to be refreshing. It doesn’t shy away from showing us both the good and bad of Charlie. On the one hand, he’s got a heart of gold as he can find and bring out the beauty in others. On the other, he’s so riddled with self hate and guilt that he can’t allow himself that same compassion. And speaking as someone who was once full of self loathing himself, it was painful at times but refreshingly honest to see it depicted here. I think that’s why it’s an uncomfortable watch for a lot of people. It’s reflecting some harsh truths that most people aren’t comfortable with admitting about themselves. Still I appreciated and applauded that honesty. It’s a story that finds what it is to be human.
Used to weigh 315 pounds (lost 130 pounds), gay, and a former high school English teacher. Love Darren Aronofsky's works. Can't wait to feel something from this one!
Looking forward to this. Kinda. He sounds a lot like my uncle. He was gay, closeted, came back from Vietnam and basically ate/drank himself to death. But he was the most well-read person I'd ever known. He knew everything about history. He could have been a great college professor. Something about the repression leads to self destruction. War trauma doesn't help either.
I saw The Whale. It reminds me of the story of Luke and Vader/Anakin. Though here, the father is making the attempt to connect. He doesn’t expect redemption, but by not giving up on his child, he finds it.
Manchester by the Sea was extraordinarily difficult to watch with how sad and depressing it was so I will equate this movie to that one. Thanks for the warning.😬
I feel like that is most of Aronofsky’s filmography. The only one that I’ve ever rewatched a few times over is The Wrestler. But yeah most of his work is a one time watch I feel. Still, I like him and I respect what he does
Seems like the kind of movie that should have gone against the stereotypes of evangelicals. The fact that it just barrels into them sort of undercuts the charity were supposed to give the rest of the film in my opinion. But, look who made it.
Sounds like the director took the heartwreching depression of The Wrestler & turned it up to 11. That movie did wonders for Mickey Rourke's career for awhile so the obvious question is... will Brendan Fraser eventually go head-to-head vs Iron Man(heart)? 🤔😆
This movie is a “tragedy”, which is not a lesser “form” to dazzling blockbuster formula. They’re different kinds of movies, and don’t need the fretting and trigger warnings these guys are going through with the review.
Despise Aronofsky as much as Welles did Woody Allen, but I'd see it for Fraser & it being an adaptation of better material, _however--_ after _Requiem_ and _Mother!_ I'd sooner watch _Terrifier 2_ for misery & (self-)torture porn. _"There's a reason [for eating himself to death]"_ and _"the payoff is cathartic"_ aren't good enough of assurances to subject myself to watch 'queer adult films' for any length of time with the protagonist to start the film off with. If the payoff is Fraser abjuring treatment to save money (or insurance payout) for his daughter's college tuition, then we're entering metanarrative Baby Boomer student debt propaganda subtext territory, for whatever the apparent feel-good altruistic suicidal gesture of his death might entail (pure speculation of course). Suspect _Whale_ will Hoover up accolades better lavished on *_Possum,_* which had similar thematic content. Aronofsky, Aster, Abrams, all cut from the same hack cloth. This is just the sort of material and occasion for laundering other metaphorical political ideologue signage by Aronofsky, consciously or otherwise. Its redeeming features will be from Fraser & the source material if at all.
Whoever's handling production needs to REALLY lower the volume of the outro stinger, shit rips my eardrums since it's like 3-4 times louder than the discussion volume. Cheers
I used to weigh about 400 lbs and can relate with a lot of the struggles of obesity and just not caring about yourself. I got weight loss surgery and am down to 215 and healthy. I'm glad this movie is showing the dangers of obesity instead of the stupid body positive crap.
Congrats on getting healthier.
I was at 350 and my knees were starting to creek lol but switched jobs to a more physically demanding one and dropped a 100 pounds in like 6 months.
@@lordhelwintr283 Congrats to you as well.
I hear you. At my heaviest I was 225kg. I'm down to 197kg nearing the end of this year. I've seen this film. It was uncomfortable for me to watch at times. It's the mirror reflecting the harsh reality of what it's like. Both mentally and physically. Still, I was very much moved by the film and I tend to think it's far more compassionate than it is hateful. But it sure as shit doesn't shy away from the reality of it. On the one hand, I felt incredibly frustrated. Given where I am now, I just wanted to slap the guy and tell him to help himself. But then I had to remind myself that's where I was one year ago.
It reminded me of just how awful depression is when you're under it. You can have all the willpower in the world but if you're in that dark place mentally it's hard to get out of. So I felt some compassion for this guy. Is the character flawed? Very much so. But he is still a human being and having suffered depression, I know how tough it is to get out of that hole.
It is easy to say "eat less and you'll lose weight" but when your body is so abused it is harder than it looks to full on reset. I applaud those who can do it. But I also have compassion knowing how difficult it can be to get out of your own way.
Good art reflects life. Even the side of life you don't always want to see. And this film entirely reflects a side of life that perhaps isn't the most comfortable for people to confront or empathize with. But I applaud it for doing so.
I applaud it for its honesty. I applaud it for its compassion. I applaud that it doesn't try to sugarcoat it in risk of hurting someones fee fees. I applaud it for being so entirely human.
Maybe that's why people are so uncomfortable by it. Because it is asking them to reflect on themselves with harsh reality and truth. Especially in a time where we have become so remarkably soft.
I’d like him to win the Oscar. Would be a breath of fresh air right now in the entertainment industry.
A Cis White Man winning an Oscar? What is this clown world nonsense you be speaking? 😂😂😂
@@danmann861 Yeah I had a feeling I might be asking for a comment like that haha. What I'm referring to is (as far as I know) he is a wholesome person without any scandals surrounding him.
Unfortunately, he's up against Austin Butler as Elvis
Coming back to this comment to say he did it :)
I have a friend who is exactly like the whale, it’s so tragic. No matter what I say to him it makes no difference, his resigned to being 60 stone. He hasn’t slept in a bed for 6 years, his life is sitting on a couch.
He has multiple health problems, no family.
In an interview Fraser said that its not just padding,they actually put real weight in the padding so he would have trouble moving around.
Real dedication,gotta be honest.
I guess Brendan's ex-wife will be smacking her little old flippers together at the thought of taking even more from the man. People really should check in on him IRL.
it is definitely divisive. Speaking as someone who is in the 400 pound territory and is currently trying to change his life around, this film was frustrating but also surprisingly honest and compassionate in terms of its treatment towards depression. Last year, I went through a heavy bout of depression. At my heaviest I weighed 225KG. Right now I’m down to 197KG after 4 months. I felt this film on so many levels and it really moved me but also frustrated me. But I had to remind myself, that’s where I was once upon a time in my life.
It’s an incredibly human film that will divide the audiences straight down the middle. I was taken by it and I think it’s a really nice companion piece to The Wrestler. Which was also a film partially about a fractured father-daughter relationship.
I like the film more than I don’t, but I can’t deny that some people will flat out hate it and be disgusted by it. But I think that makes for good art. Art reflects harsh realities. And this movie doesn’t shy away from the harsh truth. It’s partially why it made me so uncomfortable. It was reflecting the worst of who I once was.
I am glad to see this type of response to the movie, I was worried that the director was maybe losing his touch. However since you honestly told us on what’s it is like and especially the positives, I am glad of the fact the the Whale is a diverse film that has good qualities.
@@DoomBoy8000 I found it’s honesty to be refreshing. It doesn’t shy away from showing us both the good and bad of Charlie. On the one hand, he’s got a heart of gold as he can find and bring out the beauty in others. On the other, he’s so riddled with self hate and guilt that he can’t allow himself that same compassion. And speaking as someone who was once full of self loathing himself, it was painful at times but refreshingly honest to see it depicted here. I think that’s why it’s an uncomfortable watch for a lot of people. It’s reflecting some harsh truths that most people aren’t comfortable with admitting about themselves. Still I appreciated and applauded that honesty. It’s a story that finds what it is to be human.
Always loved Brendan's work, I'll watch anything he's in.
A man known for his physical prowess found his best role as a Whale. Let’s Go Brendan.
Sounds like a very brave piece of film making. And a good review guys, thanks for posting it up.
Used to weigh 315 pounds (lost 130 pounds), gay, and a former high school English teacher. Love Darren Aronofsky's works. Can't wait to feel something from this one!
Lol 😂 😂😂
Looking forward to this. Kinda. He sounds a lot like my uncle. He was gay, closeted, came back from Vietnam and basically ate/drank himself to death. But he was the most well-read person I'd ever known. He knew everything about history. He could have been a great college professor. Something about the repression leads to self destruction. War trauma doesn't help either.
Chris and Alan! Great show you got. Can't agree every time, but I really like your content so far. Great job and best of regards.
The beginning and end connect perfectly? So he came and went?
I saw The Whale.
It reminds me of the story of Luke and Vader/Anakin.
Though here, the father is making the attempt to connect.
He doesn’t expect redemption, but by not giving up on his child, he finds it.
Manchester by the Sea was extraordinarily difficult to watch with how sad and depressing it was so I will equate this movie to that one. Thanks for the warning.😬
so in that way it's like Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream, very moving but you can't watch it more than once
one of the best movies ill never watch again
It just stays with you doesn't it. It's been years.
Couldn’t agree more. I purchased the DVD on recommendation about 20 years ago. Watched it once. Never again.
I feel like that is most of Aronofsky’s filmography. The only one that I’ve ever rewatched a few times over is The Wrestler. But yeah most of his work is a one time watch I feel. Still, I like him and I respect what he does
Sounds a bit like Requiem for a Dream in regards to the addiction and unnerving nature.
Bradon Fraser is a treasure I really wanted a monster vrs with him as Rick Ocolonel. After the mummy and mummy returns. That would of been awesome.
The guy that played Imhotep in the first 2 movies (Arnold Vosloo) really wanted a Mummy Vs Van Helsing movie with Hugh Jackman.
There is still time.
Anyone who's been through severe grief to the point it's affected their physical health will relate to this movie.
Thanks Chris and Alan. I'm mixed as to whether I will see it or not.
ive seen it twice....excellent and very emotional ....!!!
That opening, yeah. I was stunned and darkly chuckling at how pitiful they present our main character for the film.
This is one of the very few films I've been interested to see, was it good or not?
And here I thought this was about a guy who pays the high-end Micro transactions in a video game!
I really hope he's not getting nominated because people have been feeling sorry for him for the past few years. Not seen the film yet but I will
Leaving Las Vegas was a great movie that I could only watch once.
Sounds like a sweet and charming film.
Yes Chris the film is very hard to watch, But it reminded me of the relationship with my daughter
I might have to pass on this one 😂 sounds really disturbing.
Seems like the kind of movie that should have gone against the stereotypes of evangelicals. The fact that it just barrels into them sort of undercuts the charity were supposed to give the rest of the film in my opinion. But, look who made it.
I'll just rewatch The Wrestler.
I thought that movie was great, but I find it harder to ever watch again than I do Requiem For A Dream.
People like Brendan Fraser and he's the last person you want to see do that to himself
Sounds like the director took the heartwreching depression of The Wrestler & turned it up to 11. That movie did wonders for Mickey Rourke's career for awhile so the obvious question is... will Brendan Fraser eventually go head-to-head vs Iron Man(heart)? 🤔😆
I'm wondering how Aronofsky's misanthropy will show up in this movie.
Mummy 4 please.
Brendan Fraser is probably going to walk away with an Oscar from this film. And cementing his comeback with this film.
to quote peter griffin - "YUCK!"
If Darren directed it,
I definitely want to check it out.
Morbid obesity simulator 2022...
Sounds alot like Aronofsky's The Wrestler which got Rourke back into Oscar conversations.
Brendan Fraser's surname is pronounced "Fray-zer", not "Fray-zher."
"i don't want to spoil it"
...he dies
I didn’t find the opening scene or the movie to be difficult to watch. Just the ranch.
This movie is a “tragedy”, which is not a lesser “form” to dazzling blockbuster formula.
They’re different kinds of movies, and don’t need the fretting and trigger warnings these guys are going through with the review.
Is this Aronofsky back to his “The Wrestler” days?
it did feel like a direct companion piece to The Wrestler to me. Especially given the fractured father-daughter relationship.
Despise Aronofsky as much as Welles did Woody Allen, but I'd see it for Fraser & it being an adaptation of better material, _however--_ after _Requiem_ and _Mother!_ I'd sooner watch _Terrifier 2_ for misery & (self-)torture porn. _"There's a reason [for eating himself to death]"_ and _"the payoff is cathartic"_ aren't good enough of assurances to subject myself to watch 'queer adult films' for any length of time with the protagonist to start the film off with. If the payoff is Fraser abjuring treatment to save money (or insurance payout) for his daughter's college tuition, then we're entering metanarrative Baby Boomer student debt propaganda subtext territory, for whatever the apparent feel-good altruistic suicidal gesture of his death might entail (pure speculation of course).
Suspect _Whale_ will Hoover up accolades better lavished on *_Possum,_* which had similar thematic content. Aronofsky, Aster, Abrams, all cut from the same hack cloth. This is just the sort of material and occasion for laundering other metaphorical political ideologue signage by Aronofsky, consciously or otherwise. Its redeeming features will be from Fraser & the source material if at all.
Chris, you sold me on this movie by describing just the opening scene!
Whoever's handling production needs to REALLY lower the volume of the outro stinger, shit rips my eardrums since it's like 3-4 times louder than the discussion volume. Cheers
So, he's basically playing Lizzo in ten years.
So not as funny as Blast From The Past is what you're saying.
After mother! I had my fill of Aronofsky. Will pass.
not exactly a feel good film huh
Oh, I'm watching this.
It's.. nono no. It's based on a guy who owns 380 bitcoins.