I'm also perplexed by how many reviewers aren't taking into account Aronofsky's oeuvre. Requiem for a Dream: the prostitutes at an office party scene? Unnecessary and exploitative? showing an overhead of Jared Leto in the anatomical position, but with a mangled arm? unnecessary and exploitative? I find Aronofsky movies difficult to watch, but not because they're bad. Because they're unflinching.
I have not seen The Whale and truthfully it will probably be the first Aronofsky film I don't see. But, your review is incredibly thoughtful, bjective and generous given what you share about your own experience. If I do decide to watch it despite what seems like pretty big shortcomings, I will be considering what you've written and shared in your review.
I'm glad I went ahead and checked out this review, spoilers aside. Films that depict fatness or overeating in passing to emphasize a character's spiritual malaise or some other theme are a dime a dozen, but when I try to think of films that are explicitly *about* being very overweight, or binge eating, I'm hard pressed to think of any. I guess there's that movie "Fat" from 2013 which I never saw. Definitely not a topic easily romanticized for the screen in the way that, say, alcoholism has been. From your description it sounds like more of a character-driven movie than a topical one, and I wonder if that might have led to pushback from people who wanted more social commentary.
We're quick to judge. If you don't want to have the disorder, then all you have to do is not eat so much, right? Unwilling to open ourselves up to a different life than the one we familiar with, we make a moral judgment. We're virtuous and they are guilty of the deadly sin of gluttony, and empathy goes out the window.
Think about it. Karen Carpenter spawned a whole anorexia awareness movement. There's no such movement for the severely obese. Instead we have a fat acceptance movement because obesity has become so common.
I got around to watching the movie on Sunday and it was an emotional watch, I cried a lot. In the binge scenes, I saw myself in Charlie, it felt uncomfortable watching how he harmed himself and knowing I had done the same to myself for many years. I wouldn't describe it as exploitative either.
Ooooooh your last line is key.
I'm also perplexed by how many reviewers aren't taking into account Aronofsky's oeuvre. Requiem for a Dream: the prostitutes at an office party scene? Unnecessary and exploitative? showing an overhead of Jared Leto in the anatomical position, but with a mangled arm? unnecessary and exploitative? I find Aronofsky movies difficult to watch, but not because they're bad. Because they're unflinching.
Right, exactly!
I have not seen The Whale and truthfully it will probably be the first Aronofsky film I don't see. But, your review is incredibly thoughtful, bjective and generous given what you share about your own experience. If I do decide to watch it despite what seems like pretty big shortcomings, I will be considering what you've written and shared in your review.
Really appreciate you saying so
I'm glad I went ahead and checked out this review, spoilers aside. Films that depict fatness or overeating in passing to emphasize a character's spiritual malaise or some other theme are a dime a dozen, but when I try to think of films that are explicitly *about* being very overweight, or binge eating, I'm hard pressed to think of any. I guess there's that movie "Fat" from 2013 which I never saw. Definitely not a topic easily romanticized for the screen in the way that, say, alcoholism has been. From your description it sounds like more of a character-driven movie than a topical one, and I wonder if that might have led to pushback from people who wanted more social commentary.
Definitely more motivated to see it now!
A really good point and I agree with you!
I haven’t seen it yet but have been hearing things! I really appreciate you sharing your view!
Let me know your thoughts when you do!
We're quick to judge. If you don't want to have the disorder, then all you have to do is not eat so much, right? Unwilling to open ourselves up to a different life than the one we familiar with, we make a moral judgment. We're virtuous and they are guilty of the deadly sin of gluttony, and empathy goes out the window.
Think about it. Karen Carpenter spawned a whole anorexia awareness movement. There's no such movement for the severely obese. Instead we have a fat acceptance movement because obesity has become so common.
I got around to watching the movie on Sunday and it was an emotional watch, I cried a lot. In the binge scenes, I saw myself in Charlie, it felt uncomfortable watching how he harmed himself and knowing I had done the same to myself for many years. I wouldn't describe it as exploitative either.