Charlie, a 600-pound English teacher, teaches online classes with his camera off while trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter, Ellie. Brendan Fraser plays him. The frame is tight and nearly square, and the story stays almost entirely in his apartment.
At a glance
The Whale is a 2022 drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (3 cinematography and 1 narrative), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, Frankenstein uses several of the same techniques.
Setting most of the drama in one defined place, such as a corridor, hideout or backstage area. Its layout and lighting shape the action and become a main visual character.
How this film uses it
Almost everything happens in Charlie's apartment, and visitors come and go through his door. The room's size and clutter feel like part of his body. You are trapped there with him.
Where to see it
The apartment visits. Liz brings food, Thomas visits, and Ellie comes by.
Choosing a very wide or squarer frame than standard widescreen. The shape boxes characters in or leaves wide edges where threats can hide.
How this film uses it
The film uses a squarish Academy ratio, close to 4:3. It boxes Charlie in and leaves little room above or beside him. You feel how small his world has become.
Where to see it
Charlie on camera. In his last class, he turns on his webcam and lets his students see him.
Creating effects physically on set with makeup, prosthetics, built props and camera tricks, with no computer graphics added later. The results look solid and real.
How this film uses it
Brendan Fraser wore prosthetics weighing up to 300 pounds, and the fitting took four hours a day. The result is a physical presence you can see and feel in every shot. There is no digital shortcut.
Where to see it
The pizza delivery. Dan sees Charlie for the first time and runs out.
Building up to a big emotional release slowly, by investing in the characters and giving small bits of hope. When the release comes, it feels deserved after all the suffering.
How this film uses it
The film builds slowly through Charlie's small failures and brief hopes. At the end, Ellie reads her essay about Moby-Dick that Charlie secretly submitted. As she finishes, he walks toward her and rises in white light. The release feels deserved.
Where to see it
The final essay. Ellie reads her old Moby-Dick essay aloud, and Charlie stands and rises.
Questions
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