Whale Music is a 1994 Canadian comedy-drama film directed by Richard J. Lewis and starring Maury Chaykin, Cyndy Preston, and Paul Gross.Peter Birnie, "Whale Music: a gentle ode to a blubbering rock star". Vancouver Sun, November 15, 1994. It is based on the comic novel of the same name by Paul Quarrington, who also wrote the screenplay.
The film premiered at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival.Jane Stevenson, "Naked with the whales". Kingston Whig-Standard, September 9, 1994.
Plot The film stars Maury Chaykin as Desmond Howl, a former rock star who has lived in seclusion in a seaside mansion since the death of his brother Danny (Paul Gross) in a car accident. Howl spends his time composing a symphonic masterpiece for the whales who congregate in the ocean near his property. His reason for this is revealed in the title of one of his songs, "Have You Seen My Brother?" — Danny died by losing control of his car and driving off a cliff into the ocean.
One day, however, Howl awakens to find Claire (Cyndy Preston), a mysterious young woman, in his living room. Although Howl's world is disrupted, Claire ends up inspiring him to complete the symphony, to write his first great pop song in years, and to begin seeking connections with people again.
The character of Desmond Howl is based largely on Brian Wilson.Craig MacInnis, "Whale Music loosely based on Beach Boy". Calgary Herald, September 9, 1994.
The cast also includes Kenneth Welsh, Jennifer Dale, Jim Byrnes, and Quarrington in a cameo appearance as a bartender.
Cast Maury Chaykin as Desmond Howl Cynthia Preston as Claire Lowe (credited as Cyndy Preston) Paul Gross as Daniel Howl Jennifer Dale as Fay Ginzburg-Howl Kenneth Welsh as Kenneth Sextone Blu Mankuma as "Mookie" Saunders Alan Jordan as Sal Goneau Tom Lavin as Monty Mann Jim Byrnes as Dewey Moore Deborah Duchene as Bobby Sue Paul Quarrington as Pete, The Bartender Janne Mortil as Star Suzanne Ristic as Monty's Wife Roman Podhora as Prison Guard Sherri Wong as Groupie Arlene Warren as Groupie Jacqueline A. Gauthier as Waitress Stephanie Blumer as Dancer
Soundtrack Music for the film was written by Rheostatics and released on the soundtrack album Music from the Motion Picture Whale Music.Katherine Monk, "The Rheostatics: happy to be Canadian content". Vancouver Sun, September 23, 1994. The song "Claire" was a Top 40 hit for the band in 1995. Quarrington had chosen the Rheostatics to compose the soundtrack because he had liked their 1992 album Whale Music, which was itself inspired by Quarrington's novel.Robert Reid, "Gala screening: Paul Quarrington and Rheostatics to launch Whale Music in Waterloo". Waterloo Region Record, December 1, 1994.
Reception The film opened in eight Canadian theaters on November 4, 1994 and grossed almost $20,000 in its opening week. It went on to gross $39,129.
Awards AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s) and nominee(s)Result Genie Awards 1994Best Motion PictureWhale Music Rob Salem, "Exotica picks up eight Genies: Egoyan follows Cannes success with Canadian top film honors". Toronto Star, December 8, 1994.Best Achievement in DirectionBest Actor in a Leading Role Best Adapted Screenplay and Richard J. Lewis Best Overall Sound, Dean Giammarco, Bill Sheppard and Paul A. Sharpe Best Sound Editing, Eric Hill, Marti Richa, Issac Strozberg and Shane ShemkoBest Original Score Best Original Song Rheostatics, "Claire" Best Original Song Rheostatics, "Song of Courtship"
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