Charlie (The Whale)

Charlie is the main protagonist of the 2022 drama film , which is based on a 2012 stage play of the same name. He is a morbidly obese man and recluse who has an estranged relationship with his daughter and ex-wife, whom he left to be in a relationship with one of his male college students, Alan. Several years later, his daughter Ellie is now a teenager and Charlie attempts to rekindle their relationship before his untimely death due to his health problems. 
He is portrayed by actor , who won an Academy Award for his performance as the titular character.
== Biography ==
=== Background ===
Around 20 or so years ago, Charlie met and fell in love with a woman named Mary. The two started dating and eventually had a daughter named Ellie. At some point they were also married. However, their marriage ended after Charlie left Mary and Ellie to be with his lover Alan, another man whom he met during one of his college lectures when he was a college professor. The two were madly in love and planned on leaving everything and everyone else behind to be together. 
Alan came from a deeply religious family that disproved of his homosexuality and who were also members of a religious organization called New Life Church. The constant berating and hate from his family and other church members eventually drove Alan to commit suicide. Alan's death greatly affected Charlie and caused him to fall into a deep depression, which would result in Charlie developing an eating disorder that is the reason for his obesity and chronic health problems. Reluctant to seek medical treatment, Charlie is looked after by his friend Liz, who was Alan's sister. 
Also due to his health concerns, Charlie has been wheel-chair bound and become a recluse, now teaching his college course purely online, with his facecam turned off so his students can't see his physical appearance, which he is very ashamed of. 
=== The Whale (2022) ===
Charlie is seen teaching one of his online courses with his webcam turned off. He is later visited by Liz who urges him to visit a hospital to seek treatment for what she believes is Chronic Heart Failure. Charlie refuses, stating he cannot afford health insurance. Later, Charlie is visited by a Christian Missionary named Thomas, who wants to save Charlie and offers to talk to him about Jesus. Charlie thanks Thomas for his assistance but asks him to leave. Charlie then orders a pizza and asks that the pizza delivery guy, named Dan, leave it on the doorstep and that he's already put the payment in the mailbox. This is something Charlie does frequently throughout the movie. 
Charlies hopes to reconnect with his estranged daughter Ellie, as Liz's comments and his rapidly-depleting health have made him realize he likely doesn't have much time left to live. He reveals to Ellie that he's secretly had $120,000 in his bank account, and has been saving all of it up since she was born so she could afford to go to college. She agrees to spend time with him, on the condition that she receive all $120,000 now AND Charlie do all of her assignments for her. Charlie agrees, desperate to spend any time with her he has left. Although, Charlie also proposes that, in return, Ellie write down all of her thoughts and feelings in a journal. Ellie reluctantly agrees.
As Charlie's health continues to decline, Liz brings him a wheel chair that allows him to maneuver around more easily. During this visit, Charlie gets another visit by Thomas. This upsets Liz who demands that Thomas leave immediately, despite Charlie's insistence that Thomas can stay if he wishes. Liz pulls Thomas aside and talks to him outside the front door. She reveals she is the adopted daughter of New Life's head pastor and that Alan was her brother. She also explains how the church's homophobia and hate drove Alan to commit suicide. She asks that in order to avoid bringing up traumatic memories from Charlie, that Thomas leave him be. Thomas refuses, claiming he still wants to help regardless. 
Later that week, during one of her visits, Ellie spikes Charlie's food with some Ambien, a sleep medication, to knock him out. She does this so she can smoke weed without getting in trouble. Coincidentally, Thomas decides to visit during this. Ellie ends up blackmailing Thomas into smoking weed with her by stating if he doesn't, she'll frame him for Charlie's drugging. Reluctantly, Thomas smokes some of the weed, revealing in the process this isn't his first time doing drugs. He confesses to having a delinquent past and how has been lying to everyone he's come across. He isn't actually a missionary for New Life Church, but a runaway who stole money from his youth group in order to escape his family because he wasn't happy with his life. During this confession, Ellie secretly records it and uploads it to the internet. 
Later that week, Liz, out of concern for Charlie, brings his wife Mary over to visit him. Charlie reveals to both of them that he's been lying about not being able to afford healthcare and that all his money has been going into the account he's made for Ellie. Liz storms out of the apartment, furious at Charlie for lying and letting his health deplete like it has. Mary and Charlie then reminisce on old times before arguing over Charlie's decision to leave his family for Alan. As Mary too storms off and leaves Charlie's apartment, Charlie exclaims while sobbing that he hopes Ellie will prove he's done one good thing with his life. Later that night, Charlie again orders pizza. But this time, Dan and him make brief eye contact and see each other for the first time. Dan runs off scared. This is the final straw that causes Charlie to fall into a manic episode wherein he begins to disgustingly binge-eat. He also sends an unprofessional email filled with profanity to his online college students, asking them to disregard all their other assignments and to just write back "something honest." 
Thomas visits Charlie for one last time, but this time seems more enthusiastic, as he not only as he's figured out how to save Charlie, but the online confession Ellie leaked was viewed by his family, who contacted him and expressed their love for him. Thomas says this is the last time they'll see each other because he's decided to go back home. When Charlie asks how he can be saved, Thomas responds by preaching to Charlie that all he'd need to do to be saved is repent to God and stop being a homosexual. He also implies that Alan's homosexuality is ultimately what led to his tragic death. Charlie berates him for this thinking and, to make him purposely uncomfortable, starts going into valid description about he and Alan's love-making sessions. This disgusts Thomas, who snaps at Charlie and tells him he is beyond saving. He then leaves, never to be seen again.
The next day, Charlie is on a call with his online students. He reveals to them that because of his unprofessionalism, he has been fired and will need to look for another job. He then reads some of their submissions and praises them for being honest, stating that their words are beautiful. He then says that it's time he be honest with them, and turns on his facecam for the first time, revealing his appearance. Some students take pictures of him while others are left in awe. Charlie proclaims that their academics don't matter, but their feelings, thoughts, and honesty do. He then proceeds to chuck his laptop at the wall, destroying it. 
Later that day, Liz arrives to confront Charlie about his declining health and tells him that he will die soon if he doesn't get the medical treatment he needs. Ellie also arrives, furious at Charlie, because the essay he wrote her got a failing grade. He reveals that he replaced her actual essay with an essay she wrote back in eighth grade about the book Moby Dick. He claims it's the most honest essay he's ever seen, and he's cherished it all these years. Ellie tells him his attempt at rekindling their relationship has failed, which Charlie agrees with. However, he insists that Ellie read the essay out loud. She does. While she reads it, Charlie strugglingly stands up and begins walking over to her without assistance. Upon seeing this, Ellie begins to cry. Charlie gestures for her to keep reading the essay while he walks towards the door. As she finishes reading, they smile at each other, and Charlie begins to float as he is engulfed in a bright white light. 
== Personality ==
Charlie is a very complex character, mentally, emotionally, and morally. On one hand, he is introverted, emotionally sensitive, highly intelligent, and contemplative. However, he also grapples with significant psychological challenges. Depression is a central struggle for Charlie, stemming from past trauma, the loss of his partner, and his strained relationship with his daughter, resulting in feelings of hopelessness. Moreover, self-loathing deeply affects him, particularly because of his physical appearance and health problems, making it difficult for him to accept affection from others. He resorts to substance abuse, specifically binge eating, as a coping mechanism, further exacerbating his health and emotional turmoil. Charlie employs defense mechanisms like denial to avoid acknowledging his pain, regresses to a childlike state for comfort from his friend Liz, and intellectualizes his suffering by using literature and intellect as a shield against confronting his emotions directly. Despite these complexities and self-destructive tendencies, Charlie's intelligence and sensitivity make him a relatable character. Ultimately, his journey leads him to redemption and meaningful connections with Liz and his daughter, offering a glimmer of hope amidst his psychological struggles.
== Quotes ==
== Awards and Recognition ==
The Whale received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, with an approval rating of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 60 out of 100 on Metacritic. The film was particularly praised for Brendan Fraser's performance and the empathy it conveys. Positive feedback came from the Toronto International Film Festival, where Fraser, Hong Chau, and Julia Sink's performances received acclaim. Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com commended Darren Aronofsky's direction and Fraser's acting, highlighting the film's exploration of heartbreak and human misunderstanding. Robbie Collin of The Telegraph awarded it a perfect five stars, hailing Fraser's sensational comeback.
Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times described the film as empathetic and heartbreakingly moving, naming it the best film of the year and Fraser's career-best performance. Variety's Owen Gleiberman praised Fraser's performance as slyer and more haunting than ever, while Matthew Creith of Out Front lauded Hong Chau's outstanding turn. However, some critics had mixed or negative opinions. Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair felt that the film's themes were forcefully conveyed, and he criticized Fraser's performance as "lost." Mark Hanson of Slant Magazine noted concerns about the film's fatphobia and mawkishness. Katie Rife of Polygon criticized the film for potentially perpetuating stereotypes about fat people.
Controversy surrounded the film's portrayal of the main character, with some critics arguing it perpetuated stereotypes of fat people as suffering and chronically depressed. There were objections to the use of a prosthetic suit instead of casting an obese actor. Director Darren Aronofsky defended the film, emphasizing the effort to create a fully developed character with both flaws and virtues while addressing the judgments that obese individuals face daily.
Category:Mature
Category:Male
Category:Live Action Heroes
Category:Titular
Category:Tragic
Category:Insecure
Category:Liars
Category:Fallen
Category:Suicidal
Category:In Love
Category:Heroes from the Past
Category:Obsessed
Category:Friend of a Villain
Category:Chaotic Good
Category:Protectors
Category:Neutral Good
Category:Protectors of Innocence
Category:Addicts
Category:Optimists
Category:Bond Protectors
Category:Bond Creators
Category:Related to Villain
Category:Mentally Ill
Category:Sympathetic
Category:Cowards
Category:Self-Aware
Category:Successful
Category:Parents
Category:Truth-Seekers
Category:Role Models
Category:Unwanted
Category:Deal Makers
Category:Misguided
Category:Presumed Deceased