The Whale (2022)

"Sometimes an actor can help minimise a director’s shortcomings, and that’s what Fraser does here."

"Vapid, hammy and stagey..."

"Brendan Fraser deserves an Oscar for The Whale. He also deserves a better movie."

"Darren Aronofsky’s film is hampered by its contrivances."

"Hunter’s script and the intimacy of the actors’ work keep the melancholy drama grounded and credible."

"Piercing, compassionate..."

"(A) leering, shallow film."

"Indulgent voyeurism disguised as radical empathy."

"Stagy and mawkish."

"The Brenaissance is here."

"Brendan Fraser gives a one-of-a-kind performance..."

"Brendan Fraser is absolutely extraordinary..."

"It often feels clumsy and maddeningly inconsistent, stranding Fraser in a melodrama undeserving of his lovely, unshowy performance."

"With The Whale, Darren Aronofsky brings a hollow sense of dignity to his schematic brand of cinematic misery porn."

"Fraser... takes what could be a joke, a flat tragedy, or even a lecture about weight and imbues it with gorgeous humanity."

"As a story, The Whale is compelling. As a film, The Whale is a tad shakier."

"For me, (Fraser's is) one of the most authentic performances I’ve ever seen on film."

"An exquisitely soulful tale that avoids forgettable sentimentality."

"It’s overwrought and also strangely insubstantial."

"It's easier to root for Fraser and his much-lauded comeback than it is to actually connect with Aronofsky's inconsistent film."

"Fraser’s sentimental portrayal of Charlie is mesmerising..."

"A story that’s all bald contrivances, technological as well as melodramatic."

"Without Brendan Fraser’s innate charm and ability to project gentle sadness through the slightest flicker of his huge blue eyes, The Whale wouldn’t have that much else going for it."

"It is inorganic, gimmicky, manipulative, and its lessons are simplistic. As a character, Charlie remains mostly a body."