Fathom

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2:28

Fathom

2021

1h 27m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Directed and photographed by Drew Xanthopoulos ("The Sensitives"), "Fathom" follows Dr. Ellen Garland and Dr. Michelle Fournet, two scientists focused on the study of humpback whale songs and social communication. As they embark on parallel research journeys on opposite sides of the world, they seek to better understand whale culture and communication. The documentary film uniquely reveals a deep commitment and reverence to the scientific process and the universal human need to seek answers about the world around us. From hypothesis to groundbreaking experiences in the field, "Fathom" showcases the passion, curiosity, collaboration, perseverance and work it takes for leading scientists to make scientific discoveries.

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Tim Grierson

Screen International

If one can get on Fathom's gently curious wavelength, there's a quiet dignity to its study of the solitary souls out there trying to find communion with similar spirits.

Jul 12, 2021

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

New York Times

The doc feels like science-fiction without the fiction. Swap whales for aliens and these two doctors aglow with the thrill of discovery could double for Jodie Foster in "Contact" or Amy Adams in "Arrival."

Rated: B-

Jul 1, 2021

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The result is a gorgeously filmed (some stunning footage from Alaska and French Polynesia) dirge about the humdrum reality of scientific fieldwork that concludes with nothing more revelatory than, "Whales communicate!"

Rated: 2/5

Jun 28, 2021

Full Review

Clement Tyler Obropta

Film Inquiry

As a portrait of the scientific process, Fathom is a fascinating watch.

Apr 23, 2022

Full Review

Carson Timar

Clapper

For audience members wanting a raw look at the world of scientific study, this will probably fill that niche fine, but for anyone else, the film simply lacks much that would feel rewarding.

Feb 22, 2022

Full Review

Stephen Saito

Moveable Fest

Fathom runs as deep as the waters in which Dr. Fournet and Dr. Garland gather their data, searching for answers about how language evolved to the point where it is now but uncovering even more than they had imagined in how we relate to one another.

Aug 15, 2021

Full Review

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Mitchell R

This movie is incredible. It deserves a much better rating than people have given it. This is easily one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/04/24

Full Review

Katrina H

I can't believe the reviews that sound so negative. My god. I thought this documentary was absolutely beautiful. I actually cried at the end (for a good reason! I don't want to spoil it) . Im just really blown away that someone could watch this documentary and come away with a crappy attitude. I thought their ponderings and theories were deep, respectful and awe inspiring. Sure we know whales communicate, but we don't really know what theyre saying exactly. They set out to try to decipher it, and find meaning. Im still all ferklempt from just finishing watching this about 10 mins ago. It doesn't always have to be so full of information most laymen might be overwhelmed by and unable to understand. Sometimes its nice to just appreciate the beauty in all of it on a deeper, more spiritual level.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/23

Full Review

greg r

Come one come all. Come watch a load of overprivileged pseudo scientists vacation on hard working students money. Here's your chance to feel sorry for the business majors who pay insane tuition to support wasteful crap like this. Utter garbage!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

C David S

The scientists work so hard to establish a truth. Stands in stark contrast to modern internet culture. There is still hope for mankind if people like this are among us.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/22

Full Review

Audience Member

As someone fascinated by the sea in general and whales in particular, it pains me to give such a bad rating but it this was a really boring film. It seemed to be more of a movie about women in science than about whales. One wonders if it would have been portrayed so sympathetically had a male researcher said they found it hard to readjust after being away doing research, so they left their partner and dog.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Amazing documentary!!! Although I think this type of study would only appeal to a small crowd of audiences

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Drew Xanthopoulos

Director

Megan Gilbride

Producer

Andrea Meditch

Executive Producer

Greg Boustead

Executive Producer

Jessica Harrop

Executive Producer

Josh Braun

Executive Producer

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Fathom: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Directed and photographed by Drew Xanthopoulos ("The Sensitives"), "Fathom" follows Dr. Ellen Garland and Dr. Michelle Fournet, two scientists focused on the study of humpback whale songs and social communication. As they embark on parallel research journeys on opposite sides of the world, they seek to better understand whale culture and communication. The documentary film uniquely reveals a deep commitment and reverence to the scientific process and the universal human need to seek answers about the world around us. From hypothesis to groundbreaking experiences in the field, "Fathom" showcases the passion, curiosity, collaboration, perseverance and work it takes for leading scientists to make scientific discoveries.

Director: Drew Xanthopoulos
Producer: Megan Gilbride
Production Co: Sandbox Films, Back Allie Productions, Impact Partners, Hidden Candy, Walking Upstream Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 25, 2021
Runtime: 1h 27m

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