The stress and efforts he undertakes to be there for his family contribute to further binge eating and his physical condition continues to deteriorate, as does his mental state. Charlie tells Liz that he believe Ellie ratted Thomas out because she wanted to help him, because, people are amazing. Ellie storms into the house, angry with Charlie because she failed her essay assignment. Europe That scene, Fraser says, is key to understanding the film's conclusion, which brings Ellie and Charlie together for a genuine connection, as she reads the essay aloud. Because the movie is so bleak, I choose to interpret it as Ellie feeling grateful for both her mother and her father, who love her. Within these confined spaces, the actors who played Charlie each wearing body suits weighing anywhere from 30 to 100 pounds charted his arc physically and emotionally. Ellie steps toward Charlie. She begins to read the next line of the essay, This book made me think about my own life, and then it made me glad for my but she cuts off. Ellies mom sent the essay to Charlie, and Charlie believes its the best essay hes ever read. The moviewhich is now available to purchase on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Videois a relentlessly uncomfortable and cruel two hours documenting the (spoiler alert!) In the opening moments, he becomes short of breath and nearly passes out. Liz is frustrated that Charlie did not choose to use this money for his medical expenses. Unfortunately, well never know. Liz seems to realize that she is saying goodbye to Charlie, and tells him shell wait downstairs. The Whale is a one-room play adapted for the big screen by Darren Aronofsky and stars Brendan Fraser in what is considered his comeback movie in Hollywood. Charlie, for once, stands up for himself, and more or less tells Thomas to piss off. 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The Whale centres on a man named Charlie (Fraser), an obese man who works as an English Literature professor, teaching courses online. Liz angrily tells him that they could have gotten him anything he needed for his health. Brendan Fraser stars in the film adaptation of "The Whale.". 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 last days of his life, to reconnect with the teenage daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), whom he abandoned years prior. the business March 1, 2023, 12:58 p.m. Dont worry, Decider is here to help. Charlie is reticent to interact with strangers, and he is visited most often by his friend Liz (Chau), a nurse who is very concerned about Charlie's health. What to Watch is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. As for whether Hunter feels Charlie is actually walking in the final shot, he says it's open for interpretation. Or is she glad her dad left her when he did, to spare her his sad story? Alan truly believed in the church and even went to South America to do missionary work. How the Government Can Help You Market Your Idea with a Loan, Top 10 Inventor Loans + Financing Tips Expert Guide. Lyla Gill December 10, 2022. As Ellie completes the reading, Charlie starts to ascend to the heavens as he looks up towards a white light in the sky. But the endings overall effect echoes the final moment of its source material, which actors and directors whove staged the popular play consider to be a release that, when performed, feels communal and generally satisfying for the audience in the room. But if you've already seen The Whale and want to get some clarity on what happened in that ending, we've got you covered. His goal is self-destructive, but you want the audience to understand what has driven him to do this, and that his redemption is in the relationship he tries to forge with his daughter. Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Whale. He needed to know he did one good thing with his life, he said. 5 Reasons Why Webex is the #1 Choice for Businesses ? 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. . As he attempts to nudge daughter Ellie toward a place of authentic self-expression, he too reveals himself to his students. The film takes place entirely. The movie version of "The Whale" ends with a breath, a bright light and a beach. As she reads, he stands and walks towards her (which he was unable to do during their first visit). Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. Is TorFX the Right Choice for Your Currency Exchange Needs? The Whale Ending Explained#thewhale #thewhalea24 #a24Indiegogo Linkhttps://www.indiegogo.com/projects/minced-meatMake sure to like this video, subscribe to o. Major spoilers ahead. As Thomas reads it, Charlie calms down and says he wanted to hear it one last time as he thought he was dying. movie In a fit of rage, he took the petty cash of $2,400 from the church and left. I just need Charlie to know that Ellie was grateful for his love. Liz's concern is two-fold, for she is the sister of Charlie's partner Alan, who died by suicide. Hunter doesnt shy away from any of the issues the characters are dealing with but doesnt bury you in [them] either, said Martin Benson, who directed a 2013 staging at South Coast Repertory. Directed by Darren Aronofskythe same man who brought you uncomfortable, divisive movies like Black Swan and mother!The Whale is based on a 2012 play of the same nameby Samuel D. Hunter. twitter After an incident where he refuses to go to the hospital as he is broke, his only friend and nurse, Liz announces that he will die soon, maybe even in the same week. It also could be considered in a metaphorical way, mimicking how whales immerse themselves for so long underwater and then they finally come up to the surface, said Schultz, or a deep intake of breath before diving in somewhere theyve never gone before, said Shuler Hensley, who played Charlie in the New York run as well as a London staging in 2018. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The essayist also feels for Ahab because he thinks his life will be better if he kills the whale, but it will never help him and Charlie relates to both characters. Why an Aviation Management Degree is Important? "When she looks at it, she can't deny turning it in and getting a D, but then, here's her father, all these years later, being like, 'This is the best essay I've ever read.' On the last day of his life, Liz returns to Charlie to take care of him. Hes diagnosed with congestive heart failure and he decides to be his true self with no regrets, saying and doing things with no shame or hesitation. Charlie reveals he used the essay Ellie wrote when she was eight about Moby-Dick. He confesses to Ellie that he is almost out of money, but is too afraid to go home. Throughout The Whale, Charlie is visited by his estranged and troubled daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink) and his frustrated ex-wife, Mary (Samantha Morton), both of whom Charlie abandoned when he ended his marriage and came out as gay; Liz (Hong Chau), a conflicted caregiver who is also the sibling of Charlies late lover; and Thomas (Ty Simpkins), a fundamentalist missionary who is far from home. Charlie shares a memory of going to the beach with Ellie and Mary and swimming in the ocean. By Gabriella Geisinger 27 Feb 2023 The Whale has received heaps of critical acclaim, but is not. The cutting patterns and shot choices of the two scenes are very similar. Alice in Borderland season 2 ending explained. Charlie tries to reconcile in any which way possible and so offers to pay her $120,000 and help her with school in exchange that she should hang out with him. Charlie, in his grief, began binge-eating in response. Daren Aronofsky directed The Whale, which in addition to Fraser and Sink stars Hong Chau (The Menu), Ty Simpkins (Jurassic World) and Samantha Morton (The Serpent Queen). The writer also finds the chapters which spend pages describing the whale boring and as an English teacher, Charlie finds the honesty refreshing. policy Ellie says to call an ambulance, but Charlie replies, No. Ellie asks to speak to Charlie alone, and although Liz doesnt want to leave Charlie, she agrees. Ellie is the angry teen daughter of Charlie with his ex-wife Mary who makes her classmates cry, is sarcastic and is bad at school. It is later revealed that the essay was written by his daughter, Ellie. The Whale writer Samuel D Hunter has opened up about how he had no idea that the film's ending had changed from the play. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. While Charlie is dying, he has an epiphany and claims that Ellie was not trying to hurt Thomas but help him as people are inherently good. 1,025, This story has been shared 981 times. All rights reserved. As he thinks he is dying, he tries to read an essay on Moby Dick but it falls to the ground. 'Mandalorian' Funko Pops up to 77% Off Baby Yoda and More for Season 3, Who Plays the Armorer in 'The Mandalorian'? Ellie secretly records his confession. Thomas reveals he ran away from home after stealing money from his youth group; Ellie secretly records the confession. He proceeds not with a moral point but through observation of the way his characters either defend their bunkered existences or attempt to reach beyond them or more commonly, some combination of the two.. The character is an amalgamation of Hunters past lives: as a closeted gay kid attending a fundamentalist Christian school in rural Idaho, a depressed adult who silently self-medicated with food, and an expository writing instructor for college freshmen (the pieces heartbreakingly honest line I think I need to accept that my life isnt going to be very exciting is an actual submission from one of Hunters students). Their unified assault on the King of Spades has . "Ellie torments him, when she cases him out the fist time. 'The Whale' ending explained as Brendan Fraser breaks down that heartbreaking final scene between Charlie and Ellie. Charlie cant walk on his own and never leaves his house. Meanwhile, her mother Mary shows Charlie the photos she takes, she puts them up on social media and adds insulting captions. Hes just been saving all of it to give to Ellie. The last visual shows the sun shining, the tide rising and falling, and a younger, slimmer version of the title character, Charlie, staring out into the ocean as his daughter plays in the sand behind him. The love and connection that Charlie gives Ellie is a gift, and hopefully she will remain true to her voice and herself in a way that he gave up on, said Hal Brooks, who directed the Denver premiere. Hunter was brought on to write the adaptation of his play for the movie version of The Whale, which more or less follows the same format. Charlie begs her to read her essay to him, and she relents. Then she kept her away because she didnt want Ellie to hurt Charlie. He had commended her honesty and feels angry at those who are fake like Dan. Mary had sent it to him and he apologizes for leaving Ellie and describes her and the essay as amazing. Read on for an analysis of The Whale plot summary and ending explained, including what happens at the end of The Whale, and whether Charlie dies. Mary and Charlie are left alone and as she drinks she explains that after she took full custody, she kept their daughter away because Ellie is awful and thought he would think Mary was a bad mother. He proceeds not with a moral point but through observation of the way his characters either defend their bunkered existences or attempt to reach beyond them or more commonly, some combination of the two. Every night, it was a journey, and it wasnt easy to watch or to perform, recalled Tom Alan Robbins, who starred in the 2012 world premiere in Denver. She also posts images of Charlie on Facebook. Choosing to stay or leave, both paths are complicated and tragic in their own ways, but ultimately, I think Charlie took the more hopeful route, and chose to look for the salvation one can find through human connection.. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Fraser gave his interpretation on the . 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. However, hes almost out of money and he cant go back because he will be disowned. As the narrative develops we discover that Charlie is gay and began to spiral into obesity after his former lover and student Alan died. The accolades it has garnered already, however, have piqued people's interests. final week of a 600-pound man, who has isolated himself from the world, and is now facing imminent death due to health issues caused by his weight. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1,059, This story has been shared 1,025 times. YouTube/A24 Over the course of The Whale, we learn that Charlie ended his. NEWS1 I thought I was going to die, and I wanted to hear it one last time, Charlie says. He reads some of his students responses to his prompt to be honest. Without waiting to hear Charlies reasoning, she leaves. Dan represents society in "The Whale.". Even though she is angry, she loves him. Whats New with RingCentral? 'Yellowstone' Return Date Info, When Does The Next New Episode of 'Yellowstone' Air on Paramount Network? The movie version of "The Whale" ends with a breath, a bright light and a beach. After Charlie confirms that Thomas is being homophobic, he gets angry and starts recounting how they dated and made love and describes his body which disgusts Thomas who runs away. She goads him into taking to his feet, knowing well that he likely can't and that it would make him very uncomfortable to do that without even having the assistance of his walker but she takes it from him anyway and makes him prove himself, and he can't.". So it felt like the work on stage would make an amazing experience for people to get to know Charlie.. Once upon a time, when a gigantic Marlboro Man was perched in front of the Chateau Marmont and a three-course meal for two still cost well under a . Alan was Lizs brother and was part of a New Life church that his father ran. This includes eating more and more. He asks her to make sure Ellie grows up to be a good person but she leaves without promising it. As she does, he starts to get up on his own and walks towards her. See Fraser explain the movie's ending in the video above. 2,770, This story has been shared 1,922 times. As Ellie reads about the whale in Moby Dick, Charlie stands to his full height, entirely on his own. After everyone leaves, Charlie has his dinner delivered, left as usual on his porch by the regular delivery guy. By Kyle Buchanan. If the serene seaside scene confused you, youre not alone: That final flashback was a surprise to playwright and screenwriter Samuel D. Hunter, as director Darren Aronofsky tacked it on without discussing it with him. 4 Feb 2023. crime To say The Whale is a difficult watch is the understatement of the century. Ellie once again visits Charlie and demands that he write her essay assignment. This is the only way he feels will absolve him of his past mistakes. Heres how it works. SOCI Liz said at the beginning of the final scene that Charlie is dying. ScienceDaily As he starts opening up to her, she secretly takes an audio recording of him. In an interview with Digital Spy, the writer talked . 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