The Whale

This movie amazed me. I went into it thinking, “oh, maybe I shouldn’t have bought this movie before considering its quality”. No, I am happy to inform you that I did not regret that purchase. In fact, I went on to write an essay about that same movie right after I finished it. It may have had a low budget film, but as commonly said, necessity is the mother of invention. So was the case with this movie. The first thing I liked about it was the cinematography. I never thought I’d cherish a stationary shot of an open room. Secondly was the acting. Brilliant. The arguments seemed so genuine and upset. The conversations between Ellie and her father reflected the hatred she had built for him. Everything about it felt so human, something many movies fail to capture. And thirdly, the soundtrack. If you’ve got a chance, go take a listen to the final song in this score (“Safe Return”). The musical score tells a story of its own, I listened to it numerous times before watching the movie and became invested in watching it. The grim beauty of it all amazed me, a medley of synths, violin, and organ. Definitely check out the soundtrack. Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this film (other than the proficient use of cuss words throughout). It made me tear up during the end and emotional throughout the day. It portrays the bond between a father and daughter with elements of battling addiction and overcoming temptation in an excruciating way. Great movie overall, check it out if you will.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]