16 January 2023, Los Angeles, California, USA
It was Herman Melville who once wrote that there are only five critics in America, the rest are asleep. I don't know what it means either, but I'm sure glad you woke up for me. Where were you for Furry Vengeance?
This movie, The Whale is about love, it's about redemption, and it's about finding the light in a dark place. And I'm so lucky to have worked with an ensemble that is incredible, and includes Hong Chau, who should have her own movie based on every character she's ever played, and Sadie Sink who is [...] incredible. How, how, who are you? Your talent precedes your age, it took me 32 years to get here.
Ty Simpkins, you won the game ball every day. Sam Hunter, you're my lighthouse. And Darren Aronofsky, I was in the wilderness, and I probably should have left a trail of breadcrumbs but you found me, and like all the best directors you merely just showed me where to go to get to where I needed to be.
If you are like a guy like Charlie that I played in this movie in any way struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you're in a dark sea. I want you to know that if you too can have the strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen.