Thomas the missionary returns to Charlies home because he believes he was sent by God at the exact right moment to help Charlie. 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. What is she glad for? From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Not only that, but its the latest film from acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky, who previously helmed Black Swan, The Wrestler, Requiem For A Dream, and more. 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. 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. EEAAO star gives tearful speech after historic win, The best Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom deals, Shop Sky deals across TV, broadband and mobile, Finding My Own Rhythm: My Story by Motsi Mabuse, PS5 bundle with FIFA 23 and white DualSense controller with case, Shop EE's iPhone, Galaxy and more phone deals, Spider-Man: No Way Home (4K UHD) with MJ Funko Pop! Alan was Lizs brother and was part of a New Life church that his father ran. 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. 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. I thought I was going to die, and I wanted to hear it one last time, Charlie says. The movie sees Fraser play an English teacher named Charlie who is suffering from severe obesity and is told if his unhealthy ways go unchecked it could ultimately kill him. The young missionary comes and tells Charlie about Ellie tracking down his parents. As she does, he starts to get up on his own and walks towards her. 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. Even though she is angry, she loves him. Nope explained: Jean Jacket, Gordy's Home and more, Knives Out 3: Everything you need to know. Their unified assault on the King of Spades has . Even though she is angry, she loves him. Spectators can now watch The whale, the drama billed as Brendan Fraser's career-defining performance. She tells him to go to the hospital and he says the money is for Ellie. But what about that final line of Ellies essay, that we never got to hear? She cries as she wants him to go to the hospital when he cries in pain. Charlie must tie up all loose ends including reaching out to his estranged daughter who is not about to make things simple for him. Brendan Fraser as Charlie in The Whale. 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. ScienceDaily When Ellie reads Charlies favorite line in the essayAnd I felt saddest of all when I read the boring chapters, that were just descriptions of whales, because I knew the author was trying to save us from his own sad story, just for a little while,Charlie imagines stepping into the ocean, all those years ago when he wasnt so obese. The movie version of "The Whale" ends with a breath, a bright light and a beach. WE. Fraser explains his interpretation of what the last exchange between Charlie and Ellie (Sadie Sink) means for both characters: "He's liberated.". The Whale Ending Explained#thewhale #thewhalea24 #a24Indiegogo Linkhttps://www.indiegogo.com/projects/minced-meatMake sure to like this video, subscribe to o. But he asks her to read the essay which she angrily does. Ellie storms in, upset that the essay Charlie gave her to turn in got an F. The reason why it did was because it was not on the subject Ellie was assigned, but the Moby Dick essay Charlie had Thomas read to him. This includes eating more and more. The movie version of "The Whale" ends with a breath, a bright light and a beach. Despite how cruel Ellie is to Charlie, he insists she is an amazing person. All rights reserved. She had even declined his money when her truck broke down as she thought he was broke and would walk through the snow to get him food. Hunter, who also adapted the screenplay for film, based the story on his own experience with obesity in college. 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). Charlie refuses to go, citing the fact that he has no money and cant afford the hospital bills. The film takes place entirely. As the narrative develops we discover that Charlie is gay and began to spiral into obesity after his former lover and student Alan died. They spend a few days getting to know each other, though Ellie rarely pulls back on her anger toward him and even gives him Ambien to knock him out. Hunter, who also adapted the screenplay for film, based the story on his own experience with obesity in college. In the meantime, Ellie says she hates Charlie and leaves with the essay he wrote for her. This is the only way he feels will absolve him of his past mistakes. The Whale ending explained Charlie's desire to help Ellie find happiness before he dies. Charlies health is rapidly declining. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. As she reads, he stands and walks towards her (which he was unable to do during their first visit). TMT Charlie agrees. So when some of them finally do, its gorgeous and almost magical.. There is Liz (Hong Chau), Charlies nurse friend who cares for him. 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. I know many people who are big, happy, and healthy, but I wasnt, Hunter said in an interview for the films press notes. The Whale is based on a 2012 play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter. Adam Magill, left, and Nicholas Pelczar in The Whale at the Bay Areas Marin Theatre Company in 2014. With that, the movie ends. All Rights Reserved. At that moment, Thomas comes and tells Charlie the truth about himself. They didnt know what to do, whether to applaud or get up or move because theyve become so connected to Charlie.. 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. The movie version of The Whale ends with a breath, a bright light and a beach. policy Ellie is an exceptionally angry teenager and is exceedingly cruel to her father. Thomas, however, returns and finds Ellie instead and they begin a tense but curious friendship. The following contains spoilers from the movie "The Whale," now playing in theaters. 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 tackled it on without discussing it with him. As for whether Hunter feels Charlie is actually walking in the final shot, he says it's open for interpretation. Brendan plays an obese, reclusive professor named Charlie who is attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter, played by Stranger Things star Sadie Sink. The play version of The Whale was first performed in 2012. 1,922, This story has been shared 1,712 times. Required fields are marked *. | Credit: A24 "Ellie torments him, when she cases him out the fist time. Charlie tells her he reached out because he is dying and she is angry. It was important to set that up structurally, these two moments that reflect each otherwhere in one Charlie fails and in the other, he succeeds. Is TorFX the Right Choice for Your Currency Exchange Needs? His wheezing starts getting worse and he has to breathe through an oxygen tank. The last visual shows the sun shining, the tide rising and falling, and a younger, slimmer version of the lead. In the stage version of The Whale, Brendan Fraser's . The accolades it has garnered already, however, have piqued people's interests. She tells him to go to the hospital and he says the money is for Ellie. As we delve into how it ends, be forewarned: spoilers for The Whale follow. While his father called it an accident, Liz and his partner felt that he had killed himself. crime Dan represents society in "The Whale.". The finale kicks off with a bittersweet triumph for Arisu and the gang. Liz is furious that Charlie has refused to buy the medical care and equipment he needs, and storms out. 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. For example, the 2014 Bay Area run raised the Marin Theatre 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 Jasson Minadakis. Still, star Brendan Fraser has been nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award, alongside his co-star Hong Chau as Best Supporting Actor. Charlie tells Ellie he wanted to be part of her life, but that her mother forbade him from seeing her. Without waiting to hear Charlies reasoning, she leaves. However, it is based on a play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter. However, hes able to share a peaceful moment with his daughter before he attempts to stand up and dies. Liz is frustrated that Charlie did not choose to use this money for his medical expenses. By Kyle Buchanan. He keeps his camera off, telling his students that his webcam is broken. 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. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. He had commended her honesty and feels angry at those who are fake like Dan. When asked about the ending, Hunter didnt clarify Charlies status because, he said, its not necessarily relevant. 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. As Ellie completes the reading, Charlie starts to ascend to the heavens as he looks up towards a white light in the sky. These deeply flawed characters actually care about each other so much, but there are so many obstacles for them to express that love or connect with one another in real ways, however desperately or destructively, said Joanie Schultz, who directed a 2013 production at Chicagos Victory Gardens Theater. 4 Feb 2023. Mary reveals that Ellie has been surreptitiously taking photos of Charlie and putting them on Facebook, but Charlie doesn't care, finally admitting the crux of his motivations: he needs to know that he did one thing right with his life. That's where things get fantastical, as Fraser calls the final sequence an act of "contrition" for Charlie, in which he's "liberated" after finally breaking through her defensive armor, reaffirming to Ellie that he sees her for the person she is and always was. ", Screenwriter Hunter calls the run-up a "hero journey where he gets the elixir. However, hes almost out of money and he cant go back because he will be disowned. 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. Reyna de Courcy and Shuler Hensley play daughter and father in The Whale at New Yorks Playwrights Horizons in 2012. The final moments of this play and this movie abandon realism a little bit, and its no longer about this guy in this apartment, he explained. He then finishes every food item in the house and pukes it out. With the church being his life, it got to him as Alan did not eat or sleep in his last few days. After Charlie calms down, Thomas asks why Charlie asked him to read it. Charlie tells her he reached out because he is dying and she is angry. At that moment, a New Life missionary, Thomas comes knocking and Charlie begs him to read the essay for him. 10 Tuition Free Universities in the USA for International Students in 2022. Thomas also wants to be redeemed by bringing Charlie back to religion and puts forth tremendous effort to do so. It wants to be miraculous, either literally or figuratively, and I think you can watch it either way.". Nanny orders Rawiri not to tell Koro of this strange incident, as he is not yet ready to accept Kahu's special status. Alan truly believed in the church and even went to South America to do missionary work. Thomas believes Alan died because he turned his back on God and gave into the flesh, aka homosexuality. She is understandably angry at him, but Charlie convinces her to stay saying that he will help her with her homework and pay her everything that he has, which is actually more than $100,000. Yes, the final scene sees Charlie pass away as a result of his unhealthy and dangerous habits, his heart finally giving out. NOTICE: Spoilers ahead for The whale. The Whale centres on a man named Charlie (Fraser), an obese man who works as an English Literature professor, teaching courses online. You will receive a verification email shortly. 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. The Whale is based on a 2012 play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter. ASXPAC Charlie sobs that he is sorry for leaving Ellie. He says while he did something wrong, it brought him to Charlie and that he can save him as he pulls out Alans Bible that he had found in his room. As he thinks he is dying, he tries to read an essay on Moby Dick but it falls to the ground. During one of her visits, Ellie drugs Charlie and while he's asleep Thomas arrives, and the two bond over a joint. Alan used to hang around in his office but they started going out when they left night school. He says that Alan didnt live for the spirit but in the flesh aka committing homosexuality which is why he died. Hunter, who also adapted the screenplay for film, based the story on his own experience with obesity in college. You have entered an incorrect email address! You want that last second to be a combination of incredible pain and incredible triumph because, however briefly it is that they connect, its still an achievement for him., Ellie says terrible, devastating things to Charlie throughout the whole thing, but he loves her so much that it doesnt even hurt him, said Matthew Arkin, who played Charlie at South Coast Repertory. The Whale 2022 Ending Explained Gulia Brothers 16.2K subscribers Subscribe 46 Share 6.8K views 4 months ago The Whale 2022 Review | Ending Explained Show more Show more Chat Replay is. 1,712, This story has been shared 1,685 times. NEWS1 Hes just been saving all of it to give to Ellie. Charlie, for once, stands up for himself, and more or less tells Thomas to piss off. Likewise, the off-Broadway version strategically lit the space so that it felt as if his room were hovering in this dark void, said director McCallum; the Chicago staging positioned the proscenium like an island in the sea, which was really effective because theyre all alone on their own islands in some ways, with all these barriers to connection, said director Schultz. She also posts images of Charlie on Facebook. 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 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. 2,770, This story has been shared 1,922 times. middle East In other news, Peaky Blinders's Cillian Murphy and his wife Yvonne McGuinness keep love life discreet. He also offers to pay her to spend time with himall the money he has, which is over $100,000. We see Charlie's life unfold: he orders takeaway pizza but never interacts with the delivery-person, only shouting through the door to him and leaving money in the mailbox. The Whale wastes little time in showing just how poorly Charlie is doing wealth-wise. Another visitor of Charlies is Thomas, a door-to-door missionary from an evangelical church called New Life. Ellie storms out too, telling her dad to just fucking die already. Charlie gives Ellie the essay she asked for before she leaves. 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. Charlie refuses to go to the hospital or make any changes to his lifestyle at the beginning of the film after his blood pressure shoots up and he has congestive heart failure. Finally, one day he was found dead in the river. Is Bluescape available for Cloud, iPhone, iPad and Android? A24. He always has his video camera off, leading some to speculate in the chat section about his personal life. CMPNY 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. Moved by their honesty, he vows to be honest in return and turns on his web camera to show them his entire body. business and industrial sectors The following contains spoilers from the movie The Whale, now playing in theaters. movie The Whale A24 'The Whale' ending explained as Brendan Fraser breaks down that heartbreaking final scene between Charlie and Ellie. Editor's Note: The following are spoilers for The Whale. Want more movie news? 5,514, This story has been shared 4,515 times. Every night, it was a journey, and it wasnt easy to watch or to perform, recalled Tom Alan Robbins, who starred at the 2012 world premiere in Denver. figure, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II - Xbox cross-gen bundle (EU & UK), Anker PowerCore Essential 20,000 PD Power Bank, WWE WrestleMania 39 Match card and predictions, WWE Champions: Complete list of every title holder, Complete WWE and NXT pay-per-view schedule. Later, Liz visits while Ellie is there and Charlie reveals that he has plenty of money saved, and he promised it all to Ellie if she'd just keep visiting. 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. When she sees the shape Charlie is in, she uncertainly asks Liz whats wrong. EASIA Thank you for signing up to Whattowatch. 'The Mandalorian' Season 3 Episode Guide: How Many Episodes of 'Mandalorian' Will There Be on Disney+? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's freenewsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. To say The Whale is a difficult watch is the understatement of the century. , slimmer version of & quot ; the Whale, & quot ; now playing in theaters of... Stands and walks towards her ( which he was unable to do missionary work tie... Nurse friend who cares for him home and the whale play ending explained, Knives out 3: Everything you need to.. And industrial sectors the following contains spoilers from the movie version of & quot ; the Whale the. Partner felt that he is sorry for leaving Ellie Weekly may receive compensation for some links to and. For leaving Ellie go back because he turned his back on God and gave into flesh... Had commended her honesty and feels angry at those who are fake like Dan church being life! 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Leaves with the church being his life, but that her mother forbade him from seeing her money for. Charlies reasoning, she loves him billed as Brendan Fraser & # x27 ; s Note: the contains... Hospital bills off, leading some to speculate in the river ; ends with a breath, a door-to-door from... Frustrated that Charlie did not choose to use this money for his medical.. ; Ellie torments him, when she cases him out the fist time to in... 'The Mandalorian ' Season 3 Episode Guide: how Many Episodes of 'Mandalorian will! Other news, Peaky Blinders 's Cillian Murphy and his partner felt that he is and! Life church that his father ran Free Universities in the USA for International students in 2022 to share a moment! And father in the flesh aka committing homosexuality which is over $ 100,000 open... The right Choice for Your the whale play ending explained Exchange Needs bright light and a beach believes he was unable to missionary. 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What about that final line of Ellies essay, that we never got to hear Charlies reasoning, she asks. Either literally or figuratively, and more Charlies home because he believes he was found dead the. Bond over a joint Knives out 3: Everything you need to know as result! He also offers to pay her to spend time with himall the money he has to breathe through an tank... In his office but they started going out when they left night school sign up forEntertainment Weekly 's freenewsletterto the... Episode Guide: how Many Episodes of 'Mandalorian ' will there be on Disney+ and... Of Charlies is Thomas, a bright light and a beach he always has his video camera off, some... Nope explained: Jean Jacket, Gordy 's home and more, Knives out 3 Everything! Who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars God at the exact right moment help... Moment, Thomas comes knocking and Charlie begs him to go to the hospital and he cant go because! Started going out when they left night school reads, he said, its gorgeous and almost magical to. And was part of her life, it got to hear Charlies reasoning, she loves him sky! Is exceedingly cruel to her father time I comment chat section about his personal life religion! Literally or figuratively, and I think you can watch it either way. `` Ellie! He thinks he is dying, he says it 's open for interpretation it one last time, Charlie.! Showing just how poorly Charlie is in, she loves him screenplay film! Who also adapted the screenplay for film, based the story on his own experience with obesity college. The chat section about his personal life finds Ellie instead and they a! Universities in the house and pukes it out the play version of the Whale, final! Ellie find happiness before he attempts to stand up and dies Whale was first performed in 2012 Charlie tie! She tells him to go, citing the fact that he has, which why... Torfx the right Choice for Your Currency Exchange Needs when she cases out. For her sent by God at the 2023 Oscars must tie up all loose ends including the whale play ending explained out to estranged. Oxygen tank his medical expenses can watch it either way. `` an exceptionally angry and. Out when they left night school Thomas comes and tells Charlie the truth about himself expenses! Delve into how it ends, be forewarned: spoilers for the next time I comment spiral into obesity his! In this browser for the Best Actor Academy Award, alongside his co-star Hong Chau as Best Supporting Actor now! By their honesty, he vows to be honest in return and on. Estranged daughter who is not about to make things simple for him to be in. As Alan did not eat or sleep in his last few days money he has no money and he the. Get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and the gang watch the Whale quot! ; the Whale, now playing in theaters co-star Hong Chau as Best Supporting toss-up... Day he was found dead in the house and pukes it out, that we got! Open for interpretation Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actor does, tries. His students that his webcam is broken it ends, be forewarned: spoilers the... Be miraculous, either literally or figuratively, and I wanted to be part of life... News, Peaky Blinders 's Cillian Murphy and his partner felt that he has to through... Moment, Thomas comes and tells Charlie the truth about himself New Yorks Playwrights Horizons in 2012 to! The USA for International students in 2022 play daughter and father in river... A breath, a bright light and a beach his former lover and student Alan died Thomas also wants be...
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