The Whales of August
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Whales of August | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover showing (from top) Gish, Davis, Price and Sothern |
|
| Directed by | Lindsay Anderson |
| Produced by | Mike E. Kaplan]] Karolyn Pfeiffer |
| Written by | David Berry |
| Starring | Bette Davis Lillian Gish |
| Distributed by | Alive Films |
| Release date(s) | October 16, 1987 (USA) |
| Running time | 90 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Whales of August is a 1987 film starring Bette Davis and Lillian Gish as elderly sisters. Also in the cast were Ann Sothern as one of their friends, and Vincent Price as a Russian fisherman.
The film was directed by Lindsay Anderson. The screenplay was adapted by David Berry from his own play.
Although the film starred two of the screen's most important actresses in what would be near to their final film roles, it was not a substantial commercial success. Upon its release it was widely tipped that either Davis or Gish would be rewarded, if not for their performances in this film, but for their longevity, with Academy Award nominations, but neither actress was nominated. Sothern received the only Academy Award nomination of her career in the category of Best Supporting Actress.
[edit] Plot summary
The Whales of August tells the story of two elderly widowed sisters near the end of their lives, spending a summer in a seaside house in Maine. The surroundings cause them to recall their relationship as young women, and the summers they had enjoyed there in the past. They reflect on the passage of time, and the bitterness, jealousies and misunderstandings that slowly festered over the years, and kept them from establishing a true closeness in their relationship. Libby, played by Davis, is the more infirm of the two sisters, and her nature has become bitter and cold as a result. Sarah, played by Gish, is a softer and more tolerant character, intent on nursing her sister through her discomfort and trying to breach the gulf that has grown between them. The resentment that Libby displays to her so clearly, stifles Sarah's every attempt at making a friendly overture towards her, and Sarah cautiously retreats from her. Price as a fisherman provides a romantic interest for Gish, and helps her to recall the happiness of her youth, while also reminding her of the marriage and husband that she has lost. Sothern as a vivacious life long friend provides common sense, fun and laughter, and is the catalyst for some of the sisters' conversations and revelations. In flashbacks actresses Margaret Ladd, Mary Steenburgen and Tisha Sterling (Sothern's real-life daughter) play respectively, the Gish, Davis and Sothern characters as young women.
Many reviewers missed the significance of Vincent Price's character, Mr. Maranov. Frequently referred to as Sarah's "love interest" or "an aging roue", Price's character serves a more subtle and interesting function. A function that is crucial to defining the relationship between Libby and Sarah.
Maranov represents death come calling. Not death in any evil sense, but instead death as friend; warm, kind, charming, cheerful and exotic. Sarah is drawn toward this seductive, romantic "friend". Libby is uncomfortable with Sarah's relationship with Maranov. Libby unconsciously senses danger (note the disquieting sleep scene.) She takes a great dislike to the charming Maranov, strives to discredit him and manages to prevent Sarah from connecting with him - at least for the time.
The Maranov character helps to stabilize and define the tense but dependent relationship Libby and Sarah have shared throughout their lives, and will continue to share as they approach the end of their lives.
[edit] Production information
The film's producer, Mike Kaplan, saw the play performed at by the Trinity Repertory Company while he was visiting Rhode Island on family business. Kaplan, who had met Lillian Gish many years earlier when he was a publicist involved in The Commedians (1967), decided immediately that the role of Sarah Webber was a role that would introduce new generations of filmgoers to the great talent of the "First Lady of American Film".
As opposed to the original stage production, the movie made it possible to showcase stars who were the age peers of the characters. Actors and actresses of a certain age and stature were contacted to see if they were both interested in and physically capable of playing the roles. Many screen greats were approached to play a role but demurred because they suffered from various infirmities, e.g., Shirley Booth, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred Astaire, Paul Henried. Other greats turned down the producers' overtures for other reasons, e.g., Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, Katharine Hepburn, John Gielgud. Even Bette Davis and Lillian Gish turned down the parts more than once before being persuaded to star in the film.
Berry, Lindsay Anderson (the director), the cinematographer, a location scout, and Kaplan traveled by water taxi to several islands in Casco Bay searching for a location that would provide the necessary ambiance and ocean vistas for the film. In the end, the film was shot a few miles down the Bay from the site of Berry's family cottage on Peaks Island, from where, in fact, the characters and story were drawn. The film's premiere in New York City on October 14, 1987, was followed a few weeks later by a State of Maine premiere in Portland, Maine, which was attended by both Berry and Kaplan.
The film proved immensely popular in Tokyo, running for a full year there. David Berry authorized several stage productions in Japan after the film premiered in Tokyo in 1987, the most recent being in 2005. Authorized stage productions have been presented overseas in several countries including Russia, Greece, and Great Britain.
