The Whore and the Whale

Abitious, big budget Spanish drama with lots of female nudity. It looked promising but it rings hollow.

Sánchez-Gijón gives a great performance as the uncentred writer commissioned to produce a book out of the papers of a dead civil war cameraman and, when she is in hospital for a breast removal, finds the old woman in the next bed was part of the back story, leading her to the Patagonian beach where the same whale has again been beached. She finds in this some none too clear connection to the bad treatment of women.

Handsome production with elaborate costuming, digital imagery and strong cast. Should be better.