The Mad Whale (2017)

Inmates at a women's mental asylum stage a theatrical production of Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick.'

Directors:

Sonia A. Guggenheim (as Sonia Guggenheim), David Breschel

Writers:

Michael Alan Herman (screenplay by) (as Michael Herman), Colleen O'Halloran

Stars:

Camilla Belle, Dominic Rains, Summer Phoenix

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Camilla Belle	...	Isabel Wallace
Dominic Rains	...	Dr. Benjamin Calhoun
Summer Phoenix	...	Beatrice Price
Nicole Starrett	...	Matron Phoebe Stokes
James Franco	...	Edward Fry
Carmen Argenziano	...	Dr. Withers
Kai Lennox	...	The Chairman
Jennifer Daley	...	Kara
Nina Ljeti	...	Ethel
Jacquie Barnbrook	...	Helga
Lisa Goodman	...	Griselda
Lori Jean Wilson	...	Deirdre (as Lori Wilson)
Alison Lees-Taylor	...	Mary
Chantal Nchako	...	Silla
Caige Coulter	...	Rebecca

Storyline

The film takes place in the late nineteenth century. Benjamin Calhoun is a doctor at a psychiatric clinic who observes that standard treatments do not help his patients. Ice therapy, leeches and isolation do not give a positive result, and he decides to come up with a new way to help the sick. So the doctor begins staging the play "Moby Dick" in the women's department. One of the roles is received by his patient Isabelle Wallace. She is the wife of a senior official and claims to be completely healthy. According to the woman, she is in this medical institution on the orders of her husband.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

[All trivia items for this title are spoilers.]

User Reviews

Camilla Belle Shines in this Hidden Gem...

Shot in 2017, this film never received a theatrical release... only to be seen by the public on Blu-ray in 2019. It is a shame it didn't get a bigger audience, because this experimental film, which had nine directors and eight writers, is a real triumph. Set in a late-1800's asylum, the female patients are tasked with putting on a production of "Moby Dick" as a means of therapy. Camilla Belle delivers one of the best performances of the year as Isabel, an unjustly committed inmate cast in the lead role of Ishmael. James Franco also performs nicely in a very small role. This is a perfect example of a hidden gem.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 October 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mad Whale

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elysium Bandini Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Color:

Color