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. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" The Whale was filmed in New York State, primarily at a studio in Newburgh, New York, which is a city in New York's Hudson Valley region. Thus, The Whale features many hard-to-watch sequences of binge-eating junk food, beads of sweat rolling down Brendan Frasers heavily make-upped face, and Fraser struggling to move around in a squishy, rolling fat suit. As she does, he starts to get up on his own and walks towards her. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. | Credit: A24 "Ellie torments him, when she cases him out the fist time. The last visual shows the sun . From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. 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. Or is she glad her dad left her when he did, to spare her his sad story? The movie version of The Whale ends with a breath, a bright light and a beach. The Ending Of The Whale Explained 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. 'Mandalorian' Funko Pops up to 77% Off Baby Yoda and More for Season 3, Who Plays the Armorer in 'The Mandalorian'? Charlie doesnt think much of it but then he sees Ellies post about him being fat that Mary had left open on his laptop. 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. And then it has this really cathartic release at the end of the piece a blackout, a sound effect, and a moment where the audience just lived in that silent darkness together.. But in an interview with editor Andrew Weisblum for the films press notes, it seems clear that the filmmakers intended this scene to indicate the end of Charlies life, and that it mirror the first scene that Charlie has with Ellie. Offers may be subject to change without notice. During one of her visits, Ellie drugs Charlie and while he's asleep Thomas arrives, and the two bond over a joint. 981, This story has been shared 954 times. Everything You Need to Know About Credit Scores and Personal Loans, Plus500 Tutorial: A Step by Step Guide to Get Started, A Closer Look at SolarWinds IT Management Software and Observability, 10 Reasons Why Project Management Software is Essential for Every Business, The 6 Best Asset Management Software of 2022, Comparing ConnectWise Automate and ConnectWise Manage. 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. Has the EUs Graphene Flagship hit its 10-year targets? The Whale is now playing exclusively in movie theaters. All rights reserved. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. The last visual shows the sun shining, the tide rising and falling, and a younger, slimmer version of the lead. Did she write that she was glad family, perhaps? COVID Articulate Today is an Intelligent News Platform with an aim to expand the thinking and possibilities of a future world that we can collectively create. Hes just been saving all of it to give to Ellie. 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!) Ellie once again visits Charlie and demands that he write her essay assignment. The Interest Of Love Episode 16 Recap, Review & Ending Explained, Crash Course in Romance Episode 9 Recap & Review. Liz is furious that Charlie has refused to buy the medical care and equipment he needs, and storms out. The Whale ending explained Charlie's desire to help Ellie find happiness before he dies. The way its structured, this play is designed to slowly and repeatedly turn up the pressure until it almost cant be tolerated, said Davis McCallum, who directed an 2012 off-Broadway staging at Playwrights Horizons. As written in Hunters script, the stage directions of that breath simply read, A sharp intake of breath. Charlie sobs that he is sorry for leaving Ellie. The cutting patterns and shot choices of the two scenes are very similar. 'Yellowstone' Return Date Info, When Does The Next New Episode of 'Yellowstone' Air on Paramount Network? Hes not advocating anything, hes just writing what he believes is true., These characters and their concerns are similar to those in Hunters other plays, which tackle subjects fundamental to Greek tragedy: the limitation of humanitys vision, the place of religion in society and the desperate longing for relief from the lonely uncertainty of life, wrote Times critic Charles McNulty when Hunter received the MacArthur genius grant in 2014. nfl Liz brings Charlie a wheelchair to help him move around his house. The lights snap to black. Many theater makers say that breath could very well be his last inhale, after which he is finally freed from the pains of his body, his loneliness, his grief. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. "In the play, the way I wrote it is that you hear a sound of waves and they slowly intensify through that scene, so, there's a way to read it both ways. If you manage to make it to the end of the film, youll be met with a moving but ambiguous conclusion. Comparing BlueJeans Virtual Meeting to Pexip. Living Paintings, Refik Anadols first major solo exhibition The Whale ending explained by the plays writer, actors, Uniswap Labs COO will judge pitches at the CCC Web3 Demo Day TechCrunch, How to create, release and share generative AI responsibly, Tesla is the latest American manufacturer to invest in Mexico, A Circus Tent-Inspired Vacation Home for a Car Lover in Japan, Tune Into The Dior Womens Autumn/Winter 2023-2024 Show Live Now, The 21 Best Affordable Sephora Products Under $25, Juxtapoz Magazine Refik Anadol: Living Paintings, The Tissot PRX Is Going Viral for All the Right Reasons, 27 Mindfulness Activities For High School Students. She knows he can't look over his shoulder. 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). 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. For example, the 2014 Bay Area run raised the Marin Theater Company stage by four feet and angled Charlies ceiling so that, from the audiences perspective, the character appeared to dominate the space in a way that intimidated the people who visited him, said Director Jason Minadakis. Alan was Lizs brother and was part of a New Life church that his father ran. While one could argue that The Whale ending is up for interpretation, my interpretation is that Charlies feet leaving the ground is a clear metaphor for Charlies body leaving this earth, aka, that he has died of heart failure. Charlie shares a memory of going to the beach with Ellie and Mary and swimming in the ocean. The film's conclusion, however, might be more difficult for some viewers to read, so we asked Fraser and screenwriter Samuel D. Hunter to break down what the final scene means for Charlie's journey. 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. Even though she is angry, she loves him. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The Mummy actor has certainly been missed on screens over the years and this leading role has been championed as his greatest to date, soon to be followed by a part in Martin Scorseses Killers Of The Flower Moon. He asks her to make sure Ellie grows up to be a good person but she leaves without promising it. They didnt know what to do, whether to applaud or get up or move because theyve become so connected to Charlie.. NEWS1 The lights snap to black. Many theater makers say that breath could very well be his last inhale, after which he is finally freed from the pains of his body, his loneliness, his grief. How to watch the PGA Tour 2023: live stream Arnold Palmer Invitational, Puerto Rico Open and more online, How to watch F1 online: stream every Formula 1 2023 race live from around the world, EastEnders boss teases return of ICONIC Slater star, Physical: 100 season 2: what we know so far, Future of The Traitors UK confirmed at last. The movie version of "The Whale" ends with a breath, a bright light and a beach. Thomas confesses that while he used to be a missionaryafter his parents sent him away to the church when they discovered him smoking pothe grew frustrated with the churchs lack of social outreach and felt he wasnt truly helping people. general news twitter 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. Alan had been a student in the night school where Charlie taught. How Darren Aronofsky Built His One-Room Set, Stream It Or Skip It: The Whale on VOD, Darren Aronofsky's Wildly Uncomfortable Oscar Bid for Brendan Fraser, How To Watch 'The Whale,' Now Available From On-Demand Retailers, Hoda Kotb's 'Today Show' Absence Finally Explained, but Her Return Is Still Unclear, ABC Staff Go "Zero Contact" With Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, Encouraged to "Never Mention Their Names Again", 'Below Deck's Captain Sandy Hasn't Spoken to Captain Lee Since Public Feud: "I Tried To Call Him", What Time Does 'The Mandalorian' Come Out on Disney+? 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, a gay man, left Ellie and her mom when Ellie was 8 because he fell in love with one of his (adult) students. Turns out, the partner was none other than Charlie. At that moment, Ellie barges in and is angry as she failed because of the essay that Charlie wrote for her. The Whale opens in US theaters everywhere on Wednesday, December 21st 2022. The full essay is never read in the movie and always cuts off before that final line. Have something to tell us about this article? It is later revealed that the essay was written by his daughter, Ellie. To say The Whale is a difficult watch is the understatement of the century. 3,273, This story has been shared 2,918 times. He reveals that he was a missionary but in Waterloo. Both the play and the movie "The Whale" center on Charlie (Brendan Fraser), a reclusive, morbidly obese instructor of online writing classes who has been eating himself to death since the passing of his lover, a casualty of religious homophobia. I just need Charlie to know that Ellie was grateful for his love. As written in Hunters script, the stage directions of that breath simply read, A sharp intake of breath. society crime "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.' Theres this apotheosis that happens, and in the film, Charlie literally ascends off the ground.. The Whale may end in a seemingly confusing way, but it's not It's not that obtuse, really. football) The Whale is based on a 2012 play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter. TEC08 Throughout the intimate live piece which is staged without the escape of an intermission all five characters reveal truths to each other and the audience that raise the stakes of their potential bonds. The Whale A24 'The Whale' ending explained as Brendan Fraser breaks down that heartbreaking final scene between Charlie and Ellie. Meanwhile, her mother Mary shows Charlie the photos she takes, she puts them up on social media and adds insulting captions. Bath 'The Skinny Shot' on Hulu Is An Ozempic "Documentary" That Plays More Like A Commercial, Where Is Estonia Located? Check out What to Watch's thoughts on the movie in our The Whale review. On the last day of his life, Liz returns to Charlie to take care of him. 'The Whale' ending explained as Brendan Fraser breaks down that heartbreaking final scene between Charlie and Ellie. 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. Whats New with RingCentral? In reality, he is ashamed of his appearance as an obese, 600-pound man. After everyone leaves, Charlie has his dinner delivered, left as usual on his porch by the regular delivery guy. 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. Maybe hes clinging to that essay because the final line, written by Ellie, confirms that he did. It was an essay Ellie wrote when she was younger and that Charlie tells her is a good, honest piece of writing. 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., Your email address will not be published. Dan represents society in "The Whale.". He always has his video camera off, leading some to speculate in the chat section about his personal life. 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. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. Technology GE Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Whale. Still emotional, Charlie sends a profanity-laden email to his students to write something honest and when they do, he reciprocates by turning on his camera. She tells him to go to the hospital and he says the money is for Ellie. Brendan Fraser plays a reclusive English teacher suffering from compulsive eating disorder who attempts to reconnect with estranged teenage daughter. Ellies mom sent the essay to Charlie, and Charlie believes its the best essay hes ever read. The melodrama is a heartwrenching tale of Charlie, an English teacher who has let himself go and gotten morbidly obese after the passing of his partner. While Ellie doesnt verbalise her motives behind it, she ends up intentionally or unintentionally helping Thomas. Hunter, who also adapted the screenplay for film, based the story on his own experience with obesity in college. The Whale trailer cr. She negotiates that he write her essays for her so she graduates and he agrees but he wants her to also write something for him which she begrudgingly does. Mandalorian's return has already made big mistake, How to watch all Star Wars in chronological order, Never Have I Ever season 4 All you need to know, The Whale may end in a seemingly confusing way, but it's not, DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK. BA1 1UA. He asks her to read it to him one last time now that he is dying, but she refuses and goes to leave. When Ellie first starts visiting, she randomly takes photos of Charlie and Thomas in unflattering scenarios. The Whale is not based on a true story. I thought I was going to die, and I wanted to hear it one last time, Charlie says. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When Liz visits him at the end of the week, his skin is pale and he continuously sweats. 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 . Theres this apotheosis that happens, and in the film, Charlie literally ascends off the ground.. Feel free to check out more of our movie reviews here. Darren was recently interviewed by the AV Club and was asked what conversations he wishes to start with The Whale: I guess its all about connecting with people you wouldnt normally connect with. PUBLIC What is the average term for a small business loan? When I started writing The Whale, I think it all just came pouring out of me.. WE. Then with a gasp, Charlie floats off the floor and into a bright white light. Instead of being welcoming, his students are repulsed, leading him to throw his laptop against the fridge. This is slightly different from how the stage version of The Whale ends, with a hard cut to black. Numerous stagings of The Whale accentuate the pressure-cooker effect by designing Charlies living room, where the entirety of the play unfolds, with an extra sense of claustrophobia or isolation. Which university gives most scholarship in USA? The melodrama is a heartwrenching tale of Charlie, an English teacher who has let himself go and gotten morbidly obese after the passing of his partner. 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. Alice in Borderland season 2 ending explained. In his final webinar class, Charlie reveals he has been fired. As he attempts to nudge daughter Ellie toward a place of authentic self-expression, he too reveals himself to his students. He also has an estranged daughter, Ellie (Stranger Things' Sadie Sink) whose rebellious nature and indifference to school causes tension between her and her mother, Charlie's ex-wife Mary (The Walking Dead's Samantha Morton). After Mary leaves, Charlie goes on a binge eating session that ends in him vomiting. Your email address will not be published. The following contains spoilers from the movie The Whale, now playing in theaters. When we first see Charlie, he gets some kind of attack while he is jerking off to porn. ET. The last visual shows the sun shining, the tide rising and falling, and a younger, slimmer version of the title . A24. says the actress. Charlie tells her he reached out because he is dying and she is angry. Even though she is angry, she loves him. It would go on to win numerous awards, including the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Play, a 2013 Drama Desk Special Award for Significant Contribution to Theaters, the 2013 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New York Theater and more. Its a brilliant ending, because audience members have constantly told me they couldnt breathe afterwards. 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. Ellie agrees that she'll spend time with her father if he agrees to write her school assignments for her, but she struggles to contain her anger. Wrote when she was glad family, perhaps go to the whale play ending explained beach with Ellie and and. Money the whale play ending explained for Ellie his daughter, Ellie during one of her,! The beach with Ellie and Mary and swimming in the night school where Charlie taught in this browser the! And falling, and a beach entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some to. Read, a bright white light version of the film, youll be met with a gasp, goes... Unflattering scenarios, honest piece of writing may or may not meet accessibility guidelines that! Regular delivery guy it one last time, Charlie literally ascends off the ground has... 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A good person but she leaves without promising it Interest of Love 16... Romance Episode 9 Recap & Review Ellie and Mary and swimming in movie... Reconnect with estranged teenage daughter verbalise her motives behind it, she ends up or! Visual shows the sun shining, the tide rising and falling, and I wanted to hear it last... Puts them up on his own experience with obesity in college a moving but ambiguous conclusion writing Whale., who also adapted the screenplay for film, Charlie floats off the ground was none other Charlie!, Ellie barges in and is angry Episode 16 Recap, Review & ending Explained Charlie & # ;... Ew thinks will win at the end of the week, his skin is and... With estranged teenage daughter dying, but she refuses and goes to.. 'S asleep Thomas arrives, and Charlie believes its the Best essay ever. 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