Whale Music

 

 

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Whale music is a wonderful Canadian movie based on the award-winning Paul Quarrington novel. I have watched this film eight or nine times (recently for the first time on DVD) and it never fails to move me. The late Maury Chaykin plays Desmond Howl, a reclusive former rock star (loosely based on Brian Wilson) now living in a decrepit coastal mansion. He spends his time attempting to compose a 'symphony' using electronic instruments and real whale sounds. He plans to put huge speakers on the cliff top and serenade these creatures he's come to identify with. Desmond was once part of a popular rock duo called the 'Howl Brothers' and the early death of his younger, charismatic brother has left him depressed and mentally shaky. Copious quantities of booze and drugs don't help.

One morning he wakes up, and stumbling around in his robe, finds a young woman (Cynthia Preston) sleeping on his couch. Having heard of this 'rock star' living in the area she finds out where and decides he could be good for a free ride. At first Desmond assumes she's his new housekeeper and then decides she's a hallucination. What results is one of the most touching and heartfelt 'romances' I've ever seen in a movie. Claire has plenty of baggage of her own ' she was abused by her stepfather, got into theft, and ultimately ended up in a mental institute. Having 'walked away' during a field trip she hitched across the country from Toronto (providing Desmond with the great line, "Oh yes, Toronto ' that's a planet in the Alpha Centauri star system." The movie is full of wit and great little throw-away lines like this.

There are a few subplots involving Desmond's greedy ex-wife, and his greedy manager, which all work well, but the essence of the movie is the clumsy, growing love between Desmond and Claire (for the guys reading this ' it's not a 'chick' movie, so don't worry). There are some hiccups along the way of course, which you'll have to watch the movie to find out about. It was shot in an old mansion on the coast of Howe Sound, somewhere between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish and the scenery is spectacular. The whole mood of the film is dusty and grey with the occasional hint of sunshine. Where Desmond really comes alive is in his state-of-the-art recording studio where he wheels his chair from console to console and mixes his music. The film's music (including the music composed and performed by Desmond) was written and performed by Canadian rock group the Rheostats and it's a big part of the movie. In fact I've seen very few films where the music has so much impact.

Claire slowly drags Desmond out of his mental fog as well as his obsessive mourning over his dead brother and the movie has a beautiful, uplifting ending (without being in the least bit sentimental or sappy). I don't know why Whale Music hasn't garnered more attention ' it's a truly great movie with all the classic themes: loneliness, redemption, love, pain.

I've seen Maury Chaykin in plenty of good roles, but nothing comes close to this performance. Not to be missed. Do yourself a big favour and rent Whale Music. You won't be sorry.

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