Director Darren Aronofsky presents this film in an aspect ratio of 4:3, which was the universal standard for 35 mm celluloid. Aronofsky though shot this film using a digital camera, so the aspect ratio isn't done out of respect to traditional celluloid but more to emphasize his protagonist and his weight.
One of the first things you will notice when you see The Whale is the format in which it is played. The movie was shot in a 4:3 ratio which gives you a closeness to the actor's expressions that you would not get if it was shot in widescreen format.
On a small screen it's easier to see a face in 4:3. Plus I agree there is a retro effect. I grew up with CRTs and I was so happy when TVs became 16:9. The movies from the cinema would get their edges cut off or have to suffer pan and scan.
It is entirely about the words and the performances.” Libatique shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is very unusual in 2022. “They wanted a tall frame,” Stipan explains. “It's perfect for this film, even if you don't actually notice the aspect ratio.
Though mathematically the same, the 4:3 format commonly refers to computer and TV screens. When you record an image or motion picture and then display it on a screen with the same aspect ratio, you'll be able to fill the entire screen without losing any information or having to crop the image.
Over a long period in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the computer industry switched from 4:3 to 16:10 (1.60:1) and then to 16:9 as the most common aspect ratio for monitors and laptops.
For TV, the original screen ratio for broadcasts was in 4:3 (1.33:1). Largely between the 1990s and early 2000s A.D., at varying paces in different countries, 16:9 (e.g. 1920x1080p 60p) widescreen displays came into increasingly common use by High Definitions.
Director Darren Aronofsky presents this film in an aspect ratio of 4:3, which was the universal standard for 35 mm celluloid. Aronofsky though shot this film using a digital camera, so the aspect ratio isn't done out of respect to traditional celluloid but more to emphasize his protagonist and his weight.
1- the aspect ratio of the film is 1.33. I feel it meant to be this way so your eyes is forced to see the subject infront of you, there is no room for your eye to escape. 2- For me I believe that when you are shooting a fat person it is better to use cropped sensor, It makes the subject looks more "beautiful".
The Whale tackles themes of redemption, being oneself, and dealing with grief. Brendan Fraser showcased that and ultimately won an Oscar for his performance as Charlie. The Whale ending brought the powerful and intense drama to a conclusion that requires some more analysis.
The most popular aspect ratios you'll find are: 4:3 is the standard television format and the default for Micro Four Thirds cameras and smartphones. 3:2 is the default for full-frame and APS-C (crop) cameras. The format is a bit wider and gives the subject a bit more “breathing room.”
Let me introduce you to a method I like to call the three-second rule. It's a game-changing rule that I follow on nearly every shoot. The rule is this: the shooter (cinematographer, camera op, etc.) captures golden footage that lasts for at least three seconds.
The first difference is the media. For video, the 16:9 aspect ratio is a more popular choice mainly because it will match most devices where you could play it, thus resulting in a better viewing experience. However, 4:3 is more popular to capture photos.
The Whale is not a true story but is based on a 2012 play by Samuel D. Hunter, who also wrote the film. Dale Calandra played the original Charlie in a similar transformation to Fraser's for The Whale movie, during the play's original run at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater in Chicago.
James Corden was considered for 'The Whale' before Brendan Fraser: Here's what happened. Things could have turned out a little differently. “The Whale” is credited as now-Oscar-winning actor Brendan Fraser's comeback in Hollywood.
In this case, the film was shot in 4:3, (a smaller square-like ratio that derived from television sets of yesterday), and this is visually genius because the smaller width of the resolution means Charlie's body (Fraser) takes up a larger proportion of the frame.
Brendan Fraser's stunning transformation in The Whale impressed the Academy and led to three Oscar nominations in 2023. The weight gain for Fraser's role in The Whale involved a mix of makeup, prosthetics, and CGI to make him almost unrecognizable.
Darren Aronofsky directed “The Whale,” which has received polarizing reviews and holds a 65% Rotten Tomatoes average. The movie — adapted from the play by Samuel D. Hunter — has been more embraced by ticket buyers, with a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Whale premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2022. It had a limited theatrical release in the US on December 9, before a wide release on December 21 by A24, grossing $54.9 million against a budget of $3 million.
The Whale is a wonderful surprise masterpiece! Brendan Fraser has proved he still has it. It's a beautiful performance that's long overdue for him. A film that will make you cry and love Brendan.
16:9 is the native aspect ratio of most high-definition widescreen LCD monitors and TV's (16:9 and 16:10 are very similar). It is 78% wider than it is tall, and fully one-third wider than a 4:3 screen. 16:9 widescreen monitors are ideally suited to display HD video signals.
In a film like The Lighthouse, the ratio is used not only to indicate time period and cinematic influences, but also to convey a severe sense of claustrophobia. Intimate portraiture in modern-day 4:3 (American Honey, The Lighthouse, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Artist).
