CasuallViewer

Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams), visit Rose's parents for the first time on a weekend trip. While Chris is apprehensive of how Rose's white parents may react to their relationship and his race, Rose assures him that everything will be fine. It is during the visit where everything initially seemed pleasant when things turn out to be more than what they seem.

The producers set the tone for the film very well. The score and sound effects worked its magic. The acting was also fantastic, with Daniel Kaluuya nailing his character. I knew what he was capable of after seeing him on Black Mirror's Fifteen Million Merits, and he did not disappoint. He uses his skill to play the intellectual and visceral sides of Chris Washington to its full potential. In conjunction with the writing (both of the story and its characters), Daniel's acting is what makes Get Out that much more satisfying to watch.

Depending on the viewers, some may find the mixing of humor and horror not to their taste. It may feel like it takes away from the tension, while others may find the humor used in just the right amount to keep the story genuine to the characters all while keeping in line with the psychological horror theme. I think it's a mix of both, leaning towards the latter. I feel more appreciative towards the direction that Jordan went with for the narration and portrayal of the characters. Comedy is peppered in here and there but this is still unmistakably a thriller of a show.

In a genre where it is par for the course to expect the worst outcome, a sense of hopelessness is ever present, and the main players are guaranteed to face forces that are insurmountable, Jordan Peele takes the road less traveled to present a story that is equal parts thrilling, horrific, occasionally humorous, and brilliant.

How do you even begin to talk a very troubled person out of something they don't want to get out of in the first place? The dilemma of watching someone you care about fall apart, and there's nothing you can do about it unless they start helping themselves first.

If I had to put The Whale in a nutshell, that's how I would put it.

Three things that make The Whale powerful: the performances, the script, and the score. Brendan Fraser (Charlie) is the person most applauded for his acting, but both Hong Chau (Liz) and Sadie Sink (Ellie) performed amazingly as well and made undeniable contributions that simply elicited strong emotions just as well as Brendan did. The three of them together made magic, and combined with the rest of the supporting cast, created something very memorable under the direction of Darren Aronofsky. Rob Simonsen's score further amplifies the emotions for an already well-written script.

If I had to nitpick on one bit, it is that perhaps I wasn't completely sold on one interaction that Charlie has. It wasn't completely pointless, but it seemed less significant than it was meant to be. A trivial matter however in the film's entirety.

At its core, this was simply supposed to be about a very regretful man stuck with his demons dealing with and attempting to form connections with people in and around his life. I find it confusing how the casting apparently caused controversy amongst some viewers who have voiced opinions on the specific type of person who should have played the role of Charlie, and over how people of this size are depicted. Is the impact of a performance supposed to be fully hinged on what's "appropriate" to some? It is unfortunate that this fixation on appearances and misconstruing of the themes that the Whale uses has led others to conclude that it shames the type of people that Charlie portrays. Understanding, compassion, and love, were central to Charlie's interactions with the people he formed relationships with, just as much as the negative and more turbulent emotions were.

Charlie made my heart feel heavy and Ellie shattered it. The Whale is both beautiful and stunning and deserves every love and praise that it gets. Seeing this on the big screen with only a handful of others watching was an entirely unique experience.

I was unfamiliar with Adam Sandler's works before this film, with my only knowledge of him being someone mostly known for his comedy roles. Suffice to say I'm pleased that this was my introduction to him due to his stellar performance.

There's a funny yet miserable feeling that this gave off as I watched Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) deal with his life and struggle with difficulties, primarily with his debts, which I later came to understand why during its conclusion. The entire premise was built around him and his life, so there really are only a few standouts from the supporting cast, but they do well to build Howard's character and contribute to building the world around which he lives in and how he, as a boss, friend, father, and as a person, paints a person with some sadly troubling demons despite all that he has built for himself.

The one other thing that stood out to me aside from Sandler's performance, is how well it made me feel the intensity of a feeling of something that I'm not much too familiar with; due in part to Sandler, and in part to how well they've mostly been able to build the story up towards the end. Though I do think that Kevin Garnett's characterization felt somewhat silly, especially as he plays himself. He is central to the story, but it feels like how he is portrayed felt off to how it feels who he actually is as a person (the type of mentality that the Kevin Garnett would have) who has achieved what he has achieved, even in a work of fiction that also plays out in a real-life setting.

I think not having seen the trailer beforehand also amplified how I felt about this film. It may not have given away too much, but being in the dark with my only knowledge of it being an A24 film starring Adam Sandler, and the short IMDB description, made for a better viewing experience.