The Whales of August
At a Maine island cottage, two aging sisters confront caregiving, estrangement, and the fragile pleasures of one last summer together.
Overview
Two elderly sisters confront the twilight of their lives while reflecting on their shared past in a summer cottage.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- melancholic
- intimate
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics found the film modest and underwritten but broadly valued its moving atmosphere and exceptional late-career performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story centers on sustained interactions among the sisters and a small circle of visitors at one summer cottage.
Sarah must confront her inability to continue caring for Libby, who is blind and increasingly dependent.
The family cottage has served as the sisters' summer refuge since youth and carries their shared history.
Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Vincent Price, and Ann Sothern bring substantial screen histories to late-career roles.
Films like The Whales of August, and why
The Trip to Bountiful
shared intimate elder-focused drama, sisterly conflict, and emotionally restrained performances
On Golden Pond
shared late-life reflection, domestic tension, and quiet coastal atmosphere
The Gin Game
shared chamber drama structure, formidable older performers, and themes of aging and family estrangement
Movie Details
- Director
- Lindsay Anderson
- Release Date
- 1987-10-14
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (82)
Cast
- Bette Davis
- Lillian Gish
- Vincent Price
- Ann Sothern
- Harry Carey Jr.
- Margaret Ladd
- Mary Steenburgen
- Tisha Sterling
- Frank Grimes
- Frank Pitkin
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Whales of August about?
- At a Maine island cottage, two aging sisters confront caregiving, estrangement, and the fragile pleasures of one last summer together.
- What is The Whales of August like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Whales of August as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Whales of August violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Whales of August.
- What did critics think of The Whales of August?
- Critics found the film modest and underwritten but broadly valued its moving atmosphere and exceptional late-career performances.
- Which films are like The Whales of August?
- Films with a similar feel include The Trip to Bountiful, On Golden Pond, and The Gin Game.
- How long is The Whales of August?
- The Whales of August runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Whales of August?
- In United States, The Whales of August streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
