Whale Music

My first exposure to "Whale Music" was the Rheostatics album of the same name, that I bought around 1993. I was reading the liner notes and the band said the album, which remains in a prominent place in my collection, was inspired by Canadian author Paul Quarrington's book.

I picked up the book a few months later and devoured it! An amazing read! I have since re-read the book numerous times, each time finding some new element to Desmond and his desire to complete the Whale Music.

I found the film in 1996, on video. I haven't had a lot of good experiences with Canadian film, but this one worked for me. The role of Claire could have been cast differently, but overall I think that Paul Quarrington's vision was transfered nicely from the book to the screen.

Maury Chaykin gives a moving performance as the isolated genius. The movie deals with family relationships, love, and finding someone who understands. I would strongly recommend "Whale Music" to not only music fans, but anyone who has ever lost something or someone, and tried to find their way back to the world.

Remembering Maury Chaykin on his 10th death anniversary today which also happens to be his birthday. There are many roles he did along with great actors Owning Mahowny (2003) with late Philip Seymour Hoffman, A Life Less Ordinary (1997) with Ewan McGregor. He brought life to atypical characters in his films and His best roles was as Desmond Howl who suffers from a mental relapse from the death of his brother, a faded rock star who bathes in a rotten pool, dances naked around the house to music, wearing nothing but a bathrobe at all times, he is quite content to be alone with his music. That is until one day when a young woman, with a troubled past as well, comes into his life in Richard J. Lewis's Whale Music (1994). Desmond's peace is disturbed by the arrival of Claire, a young criminal on the run who breaks into his decrepit mansion to evade the law. As a cinephile, finding a movie this original is something to sing about. It's weird movie, true; but this film has created a world that is wonderful and bleak. The direction is beautifully good, the cinematography is perfection, the screenplay is professionally written, and the connection between all of the characters are just so enduring. It is a film that you will not regret giving a shot. The music in this alone is worth seeking this picture out for. The soundtrack of Rheostatics is brilliant, the moments that make this film a musical are the ones that keep the story alive with moments of joviality and enthusiasm. But there is also a disenchanted vision about the idea of love. The love of music, this motif runs through the entire film. Richard J. Lewis's not only addresses the magical effect of music, he is also particularly interested in the process of music production. An infectiously feel good flick to be viewed in its' entirety...not in bits and pieces..

Anyone who loves the Rheostatics' music is going to enjoy this film. I have some minor complaints, mainly about pacing and the casting of certain actors (not Maury) who aren't really convincing in their roles, but I don't have time write a detailed review. I just want to warn anyone who has seen this film or plans to watch this film as presented CBC television in Canada: The version that airs are the CBC is like the Reader's Digest version of WHALE MUSIC---don't watch it. It cuts out entire scenes and subplots (if you can them that) from the film. The CBC, which presents most of films untouched, took half the guts out of WHALE MUSIC. I don't know why. It's horrible what they did to the film. Rent the video or watch it in a theatre, but DON'T watch it on CBC television.

I have seen this movie 3 or 4 times, about every five years it seems, and enjoyed it immensely each time. Most recently it was on Bravo! channel coming just days after Maury Chaykin's passing.

The movie is worth seeing if only for Chaykin's performance, and for the beautiful music. The soundtrack is great on its own but hearing it in the context of the movie makes it that much better.

Chaykin was one of the greatest character actors and when you give him an oddball role such as this lead one, he brings it to life like no one else can. The irony of his performance, speaking for myself anyway, is that I feel the saddest for him at his happiest moment in the movie.

Judging from only 353 votes on IMDb, this movie needs more viewers!

I enjoyed this film yet hated it because I wanted to help this guy! I am in my fifties and have a lot of friends in the music business...who are now still trying to become adults....no more fans,groupies,money etc...and they are having such a hard time adjusting to a regular life...as they see the new bands etc getting the spotlight...it is almost like they have to begin anew...this film is a testament to what a lot of the old rockers from the 70's and 80's are going through now....and that's where I find the film sad and depressing.BUT it portrays the life of an old rock star-abandoned and lost-in a believable way.The young girl who arrives at his decrepit home reminds me of Hollis maclaren (Outrageous)...and she is one lady in a film you will cheer for. This film is a must have for folks in their 50's who have seen the rise and fall of bands,people who knew the members, and have watched them hurt as age creeps in,and popularity fades.This is an almost perfect movie....sad but in a way positive....because of the whales. A MUST SEE!