Watch Kids' Reviews of
WHALE 52: SUITE FOR MAN, BOY AND WHALE

Wow! What an extraordinary film this is! I was deeply moved by Whale 52 - Suite for Man, Boy, and Whale, which reveals the tale of two people adrift and alone, struggling and misunderstood, and how they find each other--and themselves--through art and music.

This short film offers a visual representation of a cross-generational bond formed by Kaufman, a grieving 80-year-old musician (Bruce Vilanch), and Enam, a selectively mute third-grader (Parker Allana Hughes). Writer Edward Jordon draws a profound parallel with a real case in nature: a whale that emits a sound at a frequency of 52 Hertz, which no other animal in the ocean can hear, earning it the title of "the world's loneliest whale." A magical pen and journal enables Kaufman and Enam to communicate, until young Enam summons the courage to utter the one word that lifts the weight of the world off his tiny shoulders.

This film is less of a structured story than it is a metamorphic experience. The connection between Enam and Kaufman is visually developed using a blend of reality, thoughts, and abstract imagery. Produced and animated by two-time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton, the animation is truly a work of art--detailed and expressive in a way that allows the depth of the characters' feelings to shine through. The line between the metaphorical marine world and the real world is often intentionally blurred, creating beautiful moments like the characters riding on the back of the whale.

The original musical score is an incredible masterpiece that mirrors the inner landscapes of the characters. Featuring work by Broadway conductor Charles Czarnecki and Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey, much of the film's beauty and intensity comes from the music itself. I especially loved the scene transitions using a school of fish that starts out completely gray and becomes an increasingly vibrant rainbow each time they cross the screen.

As the story evolves, we learn it features an LGBTQ+ theme. Beautifully, the creators are donating a portion of the film's proceeds to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people.

The film's message is that sometimes lending someone a listening ear can make more of a difference than any words. People tend to enter our lives right when we need them.

I give Whale 52 - Suite for Man, Boy, and Whale 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.

By Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST!

Wow! What an extraordinary film this is! I was deeply moved by Whale 52 - Suite for Man, Boy, and Whale, which reveals the tale of two people adrift and alone, struggling and misunderstood, and how they find each other--and themselves--through art and music.

This short film offers a visual representation of a cross-generational bond formed by Kaufman, a grieving 80-year-old musician (Bruce Vilanch), and Enam, a selectively mute third-grader (Parker Allana Hughes). Writer Edward Jordon draws a profound parallel with a real case in nature: a whale that emits a sound at a frequency of 52 Hertz, which no other animal in the ocean can hear, earning it the title of "the world's loneliest whale." A magical pen and journal enables Kaufman and Enam to communicate, until young Enam summons the courage to utter the one word that lifts the weight of the world off his tiny shoulders.

This film is less of a structured story than it is a metamorphic experience. The connection between Enam and Kaufman is visually developed using a blend of reality, thoughts, and abstract imagery. Produced and animated by two-time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton, the animation is truly a work of art--detailed and expressive in a way that allows the depth of the characters' feelings to shine through. The line between the metaphorical marine world and the real world is often intentionally blurred, creating beautiful moments like the characters riding on the back of the whale.

The original musical score is an incredible masterpiece that mirrors the inner landscapes of the characters. Featuring work by Broadway conductor Charles Czarnecki and Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey, much of the film's beauty and intensity comes from the music itself. I especially loved the scene transitions using a school of fish that starts out completely gray and becomes an increasingly vibrant rainbow each time they cross the screen.

As the story evolves, we learn it features an LGBTQ+ theme. Beautifully, the creators are donating a portion of the film's proceeds to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people.

The film's message is that sometimes lending someone a listening ear can make more of a difference than any words. People tend to enter our lives right when we need them.

I give Whale 52 - Suite for Man, Boy, and Whale 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.

By Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST!

Magical Realism. A third-grade student who's selectively mute and a grieving 80-year-old school volunteer discover that some of the deepest conversations only require a single word.