Metaphors on top of symbolism on top of allegory. It's well acted, but also kind of meh and a bit preachy feeling. We get it, he is like Ahab and not the whale despite being whale sized.
Or whatever.
Of all the absurdity in this movie, I can't get over the doctor(?) asking this random 5 year old to stick his hands in some woman's vagina to help birth a baby because he has small hands and also he is too drunk to domit himself.
Also, the kid is the only 5 year old ever to be wearing a ring, which he seems to not remove before the procedure. Plus he promises he has clean hands, which seems like something trustworthy enough to be sterile.