Seriously Saturday Night At The Movies

SERIOUSLY SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
Let's raise our intellects while we raise our glasses. We'll trade insights during the post-film discussion, as we explore mind-expanding documentaries and thought-provoking films.

HOW DOES THIS WORK?
We open at 4:45 PT for a little meet & greet, then at 5:00 we 'go dark' (turn off our Zoom mics and cameras) and view the film on our individual TVs, computers, or other devices. Ten minutes after the movie ends (to allow for a trip to the fridge, phone call, etc.), we return to Zoom, turn on our mics and cameras, and begin the discussion. Of course you can watch the film ahead of time, if you prefer, and join just for the discussion.

THIS WEEK
The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky
1 hr 57 min
Available on various streaming platforms found here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-whale-2022

Charlie is middle-aged, 600-pounds, and dying alone in his house. An online English teacher by profession, the solitary and stoic figure is looking for one last connection with his estranged daughter. But children are rarely what their parents want them to be. Ellie is a teen, rebellious and bitter toward her father, who didn’t just abandon her but the whole family when he left. Now, as he eats himself to death in a pit of helpless depression, Charlie must turn back to those he left behind. With a handful of friends trying to pull him back from the brink, Charlie must learn what it means to have hope again if he is to find his elusive redemption.

"Human agony of both the physical and emotional kind is a Darren Aronofsky staple, but The Whale, which is driven by shattering work from Brendan Fraser as a 600-pound teacher eating himself to death, pushes that theme to extremes while remaining steadfastly within the borders of naturalism. Adapted by Samuel D. Hunter from his play, the intense chamber drama never disguises its stage roots but transcends them with the grace and compassion of the writing and the layers of pain and despair, love and dogged hope peeled back in the central performance. Fraser makes us see beyond the alarming appearance to the deeply affecting heart of this broken man." - David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter