I knew before seeing “The Whale” that it was a movie about a man named Charlie who weighs over 600 pounds, is grief-stricken over the death of his partner, and ...
[critic Robin Wood famously argued](https://www.cliffsnotes.com/tutors-problems/Writing/45763344-Film-critic-Robin-Wood-in-a-now-famous-essay-defined-the-true/) that “the true subject of the horror genre is the struggle for recognition of all that our civilization represses and oppresses.” [In a thin-obsessed culture](https://www.vox.com/22697168/body-positivity-image-millennials-gen-z-weight), fatness has become its own kind of monster. [1958 film](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051622/) of the same name, tells the story of a scientist named Seth Brundle who merges his DNA with that of a common housefly. As he is dying, he levitates, at last free from the monstrous burden of flesh. He’s barely able to stand, and he loses the ability to perform the most basic of tasks, like picking up an object from the floor. As I watched the film, I started to understand, with a looming sense of dread, that “The Whale” had no plans to recuperate this character. These films are designed to gross out viewers, and the protagonist often becomes the monster of the story as their body becomes more and more repulsive. In some scenes, the camera rests on Charlie’s distended gut, his swollen calves or his sweat-soaked clothes, inviting the audience to be repulsed. And although not every transformed body horror character dies, many do. Despite the controversy, [Brendan Fraser’s performance has been widely praised](https://movieweb.com/best-actor-2022-brendan-fraser/), and he’s been [nominated for best actor](https://movieweb.com/brendan-fraser-nominated-for-best-actor-oscar/) at the 95th Academy Awards. [a parasitic alien](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/), a [mutated virus](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073705/) or the sadistic compulsions of a [mad scientist](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1467304/). But what I didn’t know was that this film would make me cry. [in films such as](https://bloody-disgusting.com/sponsored/3716683/body-horror-david-cronenberg/) “ [The Fly](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091064/),” “ [Shivers](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073705/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0),” “ [Videodrome](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086541/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)” and “ [Rabid](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076590/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3).”
While it's true that everyone enjoys a good comeback story, it would be simplistic to say that's the only reason people are loving on Brendan Fraser so much ...
Released in 1992 – the same year as his Pauly Shore slapstick comedy “Encino Man” – “School Ties” featured Fraser in one of his most dramatic turns, which also happened to coincide with him at his swooniest. Fraser plays Whale’s (McKellen) straight gardener – as well as his object of desire – and has the tough task of walking the line between beefcake heartthrob and haunted war veteran. This 1994 film – which feels like it’s part “Good Will Hunting,” part “Breakfast Club” – recounts the at-first stinted friendship between a pretentious graduate student (Fraser) and a homeless man (Joe Pesci), who ultimately help each other in fundamental ways. To get this out of the way first, it would be remiss not to include Fraser’s franchise-launching “Mummy,” not only due to his bronzed and suave take on an Indiana Jones-like adventurer who had a hefty penchant for humor to keep things light. If there were such a thing as movie acrobatics, 2000’s “Bedazzled” would be the most exemplary film of the craft. But, in truth, people have [always loved this actor](https://www.youtube.com/@WhitneyandElisabeth/videos), from his early days in zany films like 1992’s “Encino Man” (which put him on the map) up until when he largely stepped away from major motion pictures around a decade ago.
Brendan Fraser has been nominated for an Oscar for his first lead role in a major film for 12 years, in The Whale. Tuesday's best actor nomination caps a ...
"It's new to me and I'm keen to see what happens next." But you found me," he added, in the direction of The Whale director Darren Aronofsky. It's about finding the light in a dark place." "I was in the wilderness," said Fraser on stage during his emotional acceptance speech. [BBC Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220904-the-whale-review-brendan-fraser-deserves-an-oscar) declared that the "captivating" Fraser "deserves an Oscar". "It's about redemption. When the phone stopped ringing, he believes as a result, he found it tough to take. In 2018, he said Mr Berk, head of Golden Globes organising body the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), had groped his bottom in 2003. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/04/the-whale-review-darren-aronofskys-latest-is-a-hectoring-invitation-to-blubber) was less impressed, however, giving two stars for Fraser's "disappointing return to movies", describing it as "a hectoring invitation to blubber". "It's exciting, it's rewarding," he told the BBC. The HFPA found that Mr Berk "inappropriately touched" Fraser, but that it "was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance". Referring to his character, he said he felt the need "to be the voice for those who live the way that Charlie does", and "to depict him with dignity and with respect in a way that we haven't seen that character played on screen before".
Brendan Fraser delivers a barnstorming performance in Darren Aronofsky's new film The Whale.
– and Simpkins’s character (interestingly changed from Mormon in the play to a more nebulous faith) embodies that spiritual dichotomy even more, especially as Charlie’s boyfriend also suffered from the damaging New Life doctrine. [subscribe now](http://radiotimes.com/magazine-subscription?utm_term=evergreen-article). But her bitchy viciousness is a hurdle proving hard to dodge even though the two exploring the boundaries of mutual trust are among the most wildly funny and moving scenes. The Whale continues that haunting premise with binge-eating Charlie (Brendan Fraser), a morbidly obese, 600-pound gay recluse who is literally punishing his body for the suicidal death of his lover from anorexia. On one hand, he’s offering remote advice while actually trying to desperately reconnect with his estranged daughter (superb Sadie Sink from Stranger Things) by ghostwriting her English essay homework. Director Darren Aronofsky once more goes down his favoured thematic rabbit hole with the idea of pushing the human body to its absolute limits and the psychological strains on the soul in doing so.
A Quebecer has been nominated for an Academy award for his work in 'The Whale.' Adrien Morot is among the nominations for the 95th Academy Awards for Best ...
residential school: First Nation investigators](https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/evidence-of-a-genocide-found-during-search-of-alta-residential-school-first-nation-investigators-1.6244038) [Saskatoon](https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/) [High turnover cost adds to Saskatoon low-income housing vacancy rate: Sask. [London](https://london.ctvnews.ca/) [Snowfall warning issued for London, Ont. man nicknamed "the father of Ogopogo" is about to be on public display in Romania. CTV News reporter Alissa Thibault followed the 28-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department for the first in a three-part series highlighting the work of the city's first responders. London’s property tax rate increase is predicted to be well below the rate of inflation this year. (A24 via AP) "I went to the New York premiere and I was like, 'I'm a complete failure.' I was like, 'How did I miss this? It is Morot's second Oscar nomination after he was recognized for his work on 2010's Barney's Version. "I'm the worst person to ask; I hate everything I do," said Morot. Morot knows the director is, like himself, a perfectionist and very demanding. "I'm glad that we're there, [but] I think that there are important people that contributed to the makeup - like Kathy Tse was super involved in building the suit and helping put on the makeup - so people are left out of the nominees," he said.
A dead gray whale washed ashore on Oregon's Cannon Beach -- marking the fourth dead whale to wash up in recent weeks.
The aquarium doesn’t believe that the whale was struck by a ship or died from human interaction. A few days later, a 12-foot baby gray whale washed ashore near the shipwrecked Peter Iredale on Jan. According to the [Seaside Aquarium](http://www.seasideaquarium.com/), the whale, believed to be around 20 years old, was dead before washing up. [40-foot sperm whale washed ashore](https://www.koin.com/local/oregon-coast/40-foot-whale-washes-up-along-oregon-coast-near-warrenton/) in Warrenton on January 14. Based on the whale’s location, officials said a full necropsy is “nearly impossible,” as the secluded beach is only accessible by hiking. [KOIN](https://www.koin.com/)) – A dead whale washed ashore on Oregon’s Cannon Beach Saturday afternoon – marking it the fourth whale to wash up along Oregon’s coastline in recent weeks, according to Seaside Aquarium.
A fourth whale carcass was found Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, on a remote section near Cannon Beach, Ore. Officials with the Seaside Aquarium say the gray whale had ...
A shark bite was found on the whale carcass but appeared to occur after its death. And then about 100 yards from there, a [dead gray whale beached](https://www.opb.org/article/2023/01/19/oregon-coast-second-dead-whale/) on Jan. [sperm whale carcass washed ashore at Fort Stevens State Park](https://www.opb.org/article/2023/01/16/oregon-coast-beached-whale-body-fort-stevens-state-park/) on the northern coast.
Will “The Whale” win an Oscar? Maybe! The film received three nominations at the 2023 Oscars: Fraser for Best Actor, Hong Chau for Best Supporting Actress, and ...
[said on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CnPdklfLeUB/?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc%3D), the film “WILL NOT be streaming anytime soon,” and encouraged people to see it in theaters. [Hong Chau](https://www.goldderby.com/t/hong-chau/) for Best Supporting Actress, and Best Hair and Makeup for the crafts work in transforming Fraser into a 600-pound man. See our [latest prediction champs](https://www.goldderby.com/best-prediction-scores/awards/league-data/). Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our [famous forums](https://www.goldderby.com/forums/) where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Here is how you can watch the film—which was directed by [Darren Aronofsky](https://www.goldderby.com/t/darren-aronofsky/) and written by Samuel D. [Make your predictions](https://www.goldderby.com/leagues/) at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for [Apple/iPhone devices](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1460576753) or [Android (Google Play)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmc.goldDerby) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. “The Whale” is distributed by A24, which historically has not shown a preference for one streaming service over another – although it could end up on Showtime, which is where A24’s “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is now streaming. It also played at Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2022. It premiered at Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2022. [The Whale](https://www.goldderby.com/t/the-whale/)” receiving mixed reviews from critics, [Brendan Fraser](https://www.goldderby.com/t/brendan-fraser/) has been heaped with praise for his role as Charlie, a morbidly obese man who is trying to restore a relationship with his daughter Ellie (played by [Sadie Sink](https://www.goldderby.com/t/sadie-sink/)). The good news is “The Whale” is still playing in theaters across the U.S.
A fourth dead whale found this month washed ashore on the Oregon Coast on Saturday, this time on Crescent Beach near Cannon Beach in Ecola State Park.
Urness is the author of “ [Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon](https://www.amazon.com/Best-Hikes-Kids-Bonnie-Henderson/dp/1680510797)” and “ [Hiking Southern Oregon](https://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Southern-Oregon-Greatest-Adventures/dp/0762784814).” He can be reached at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or 503-399-6801. [subscribe to the Statesman Journal](https://offers.statesmanjournal.com/specialoffer). Sperm whale: 1 The whale was originally reported as 13 feet, but was measured Friday as closer to 12 feet." Gray whales are currently migrating south along the West Coast from the Arctic to wintering grounds in Mexico. [Unusual Mortality Event](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/fZjcCDkZy9COw4K9YH5cZPH?domain=fisheries.noaa.gov) for gray whales that migrate along the West Coast because of a sharp increase in strandings followed by a decline in the population," Milstein said. The gray whale population is estimated at 16,650, down 38% since 2016. "It is purely a coincidence. The trend is not unusual per say, as Oregon averages six whale strandings per year. The fourth whale — and the first one discovered — was a gray whale that washed ashore near Winchester Bay on Jan. It was a subadult male gray whale that appeared to have been preyed upon by killer whales, according to a necropsy, said Michael Milstein with NOAA Fisheries. It's not clear what killed the whale, though "a sizable shark bite which occurred after the whale died" was observed.
Adrien Morot, a Montreal-born makeup artist, woke up to an email Tuesday morning from his “good friend: Brendan Fraser.” The Hollywood actor was writing to ...
And if you can impress them and or impress them enough that they remember you, well, that can be a great launching pad for a an international career.” While Morot is based out of Los Angeles for work, he divides his time between L.A. “It’s a heavy drama,” he said of the film. The next one is putting them on. But he’s OK with that. It cannot be.
In the middle of awards season, the list of nominations for the 2023 Academy Awards was announced Tuesday, and The Whale was nominated in three categories: ...
For Best Supporting Actress, Chau is competing against [Angela Bassett in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever](https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/11/black-panther-wakanda-forever-marvel-review-chadwick-boseman), Kerry Condon in The Banshees of Inisherin, Stephanie Hsu in Everything Everywhere All at Once and Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All at Once. In the middle of awards season, the list of nominations for the 2023 Academy Awards was announced Tuesday, and The Whale was nominated in three categories: Best Actor (Brendan Fraser), Best Supporting Actress (Hong Chau) and Makeup and Hairstyling.
For the fourth time in less than two weeks, a dead whale washed ashore along the Oregon Coast.
A shark bite was found on the whale carcass but appeared to occur after its death. And then about 100 yards from there, a [dead gray whale beached](https://www.opb.org/article/2023/01/19/oregon-coast-second-dead-whale/) on Jan. [sperm whale carcass washed ashore at Fort Stevens State Park](https://www.opb.org/article/2023/01/16/oregon-coast-beached-whale-body-fort-stevens-state-park/) on the northern coast.
Brendan Fraser has been nominated for an Oscar for his first lead role in a major film for 12 years, in The Whale. Tuesday's best actor nomination caps a ...
"It's new to me and I'm keen to see what happens next." But you found me," he added, in the direction of The Whale director Darren Aronofsky. It's about finding the light in a dark place." "I was in the wilderness," said Fraser on stage during his emotional acceptance speech. [BBC Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220904-the-whale-review-brendan-fraser-deserves-an-oscar) declared that the "captivating" Fraser "deserves an Oscar". "It's about redemption. When the phone stopped ringing, he believes as a result, he found it tough to take. In 2018, he said Mr Berk, head of Golden Globes organising body the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), had groped his bottom in 2003. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/04/the-whale-review-darren-aronofskys-latest-is-a-hectoring-invitation-to-blubber) was less impressed, however, giving two stars for Fraser's "disappointing return to movies", describing it as "a hectoring invitation to blubber". "It's exciting, it's rewarding," he told the BBC. The HFPA found that Mr Berk "inappropriately touched" Fraser, but that it "was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance". Referring to his character, he said he felt the need "to be the voice for those who live the way that Charlie does", and "to depict him with dignity and with respect in a way that we haven't seen that character played on screen before".
Brendan Fraser, 54, received an Oscar nomination for his performance in Darren Aronofsky's movie "The Whale." Fraser told Fox News Digital in a statement ...
"The Whale" role represents a major comeback for Fraser, as it is his first leading role in almost a decade. Thank you for being here," Fraser remarked. "We had no idea what kind of movie we were making when we shot this. We had no idea until it tested in front of British audiences. "I am proud to stand before you tonight. "I wouldn’t have this nomination without Darren Aronofsky, Samuel D.
Five players from the Connecticut Whale, the state's professional women's hockey team, will represent at the Premier Hockey Federation All Star Game at the.
“Practice, game, even us, when we go on the ice just me and Abbie,” said Samoskevich. “But I think the chemistry that they bring off the ice is really important to us.” Goaltender Abbie Ives and forward Taylor Girard skated together in Hamden and now are back together on the ice in Simsbury, where the Whale plays its home games.
I wouldn't have this nomination without Darren Aronofsky, Samuel D. Hunter, A24 and the extraordinary cast and crew who gave me the gift of Charlie. A gift I ...
[The transformation achieved by Fraser in The Whale](https://movieweb.com/brendan-fraser-talks-his-transformation-in-the-whale/) blew even Aronofsky away, with the director excited to see what the actor does next. So, the potential of what Brendan is going to bring to the big screen, the little screen, and all screens ahead, is really exciting. “I met with Sam and started working on the screenplay for a while, but I just couldn't figure out the character of Charlie [for the film version]. The two have grown apart after Charlie abandoned his family for his gay lover, who later died, which leads to Charlie binge-eating out of pain and guilt. "I'm absolutely overjoyed and deeply grateful to The Academy for this recognition and for recognizing Hong Chau’s beautiful performance and Adrien Morot's incredible makeup. [Brendan Fraser](https://movieweb.com/person/brendan-fraser/) has responded to his first ever Oscar nomination.
The 2023 Oscar nominations are finally here, full of surprises across the board, both positive (Andrea Riseborough! Brian Tyree Henry!) and unfortunate ...
No one should go to "Avengers: Endgame" and see the first MCU hero with their body type played for laughs, theaters becoming a cacophony of laughter and judgment. "The Whale" was intended to take on issues of eating disorders and extreme weight gain with empathy and sincerity, according to the creative team behind it. Effects legend Rick Baker won an Academy Award for the slew of fat suits created for 1996's "The Nutty Professor." People with larger bodies frankly deserve better than to see fat characters, characters who look like them or their loved ones, played for laughs or revulsion because of their weight, their body shape, or for simple acts like eating. Brian Tyree Henry!) and unfortunate (where's the love for " [RRR](https://www.slashfilm.com/1177098/the-2023-oscars-did-rrr-dirty-and-yes-were-mad-about-it/)" or "Decision to Leave?" [morbidly obese,](https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/choosing-words-wisely-when-talking-to-patients-about-weight/)" but a week from intentionally eating himself to death from self-hatred. The former is shown time and again on numerous occasions, like 1996's "The Nutty Professor," the Austin Powers films, or to make jokes at young Monica's expense in "Friends." These are compounded by [directorial choices](https://www.slashfilm.com/1150765/darren-aronofsky-wasnt-ready-to-direct-the-whale-until-he-met-brendan-fraser/) made to remind audiences that Charlie is only his weight, from horror music played over his eating to framing his attempts to stand in ways that emphasize his size instead of his humanity. and often for the purpose of ridicule, abuse, and so-called comedy. "The Whale" follows Charlie, a 600-pound English instructor with a good and vulnerable heart, who is literally eating himself to death following the tragic loss of his boyfriend and his estrangement from his furious daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). The Academy needs to do better and retire the fat suit entirely. For their efforts to make the body suit and makeup realistic, the makeup team behind "The Whale" earned the film's second and final Oscar nomination.
The gray whale discovered Saturday near Cannon Beach had been dead for at least a month when it washed ashore, according to the staff at the Seaside Aquarium. A ...
A sizable shark bite came after the whale had died, the staff said. “They’re basically not replacing themselves at the same rate,” Milstein said. That whale was struck and killed by a propeller gash. Only about 10% of deceased whales end up on dry land, he added. “They’re not getting enough to eat.” They go up and down the West Coast twice a year, which is pretty phenomenal.
The Montreal makeup artist who helped transform Brendan Fraser into a morbidly obese man for “The Whale” says he's grateful for Oscar recognition of a ...
(They're like,) 'This guy is never satisfied with anything.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, that's the way he is. "The Whale" is his fifth collaboration with the notoriously uncompromising filmmaker, following "Mother!" The character of Charlie is a real character in real life situations. “In this case, the movie was not a comedy where the character is the butt of a joke. That's why he's Darren Aronofsky because he will not settle for anything less than perfection.'" "He's amazing that way.
The Montreal makeup artist who helped transform Brendan Fraser into a morbidly obese man for “The Whale” says he's grateful for Oscar recognition of a ...
“In this case, the movie was not a comedy where the character is the butt of a joke. The character of Charlie is a real character in real life situations. That’s why he’s Darren Aronofsky because he will not settle for anything less than perfection.’” “By the middle of the shoot, half the crew can’t take it anymore. “He’s amazing that way. “The Whale” is his fifth collaboration with the notoriously uncompromising filmmaker, following “Mother!”, “Noah,” and “The Fountain,” as well as “White Boy Rick,” which Aronofsky produced.
Korostelev, who is a former IT specialist, now works as an award-winning wildlife photographer. He started with orcas before moving on to film sperm whales in ...
“In the end, we love ocean and all marine creatures. “You feel that it is very safe to be with animal that bigger than dinosaurs,” Korostelev tells PetaPixel. The expeditions take people to see not just whales, but also dugong, seals, sea lions, and more. We love dolphins, seals, sea cows, polar bears—all marine mammals,” the Whale Watching Expeditions website reads. The award-winning image, titled Hippo World, was taken using an underwater drone in a salt lake in South Africa. He started with orcas before moving on to film sperm whales in 2016.
The Whale starring Brendan Fraser has been hailed for the incredibly quotable moments, but which The Whale quotes are the best?
His fervor in this monologue and this quote in particular shows that his relationship with Ellie and restoring it in some form is about a feeling of salvation for himself as he approaches the end of his own life. Charlie prompted again to speak about why he wants to reconnect with Ellie now and fix things while he still has time, speaks about needing to know that she is It makes complete sense that after becoming a recluse, only the loss of hope in his daughter could prompt Charlie to try and reconnect to share some of the hope in humanity he has This is what remains so inspirational about Charlie and the film, the idea that our children can do better than us and have better lives. Even though Charlie has no hope of redemption for himself, there is hope in him that Ellie’s life can be better than he was. He wants to show his daughter her brilliance and how she shines, but is simultaneously, ironically, incapable of seeing his own kindness and the other qualities that make him amazing.
Bloomberg Baystate Business With Tom Moroney, Joe Shortsleeve, Kim Carrigan, Anne Mostue and Janet Wu 1-25-23 AAA Spokesperson Mark Schieldrop tells us why ...
Rob Morris, Product Line Manager at Edgetech, tells us how they developed the rope-less lobster trap. Lori Caron, Administrator of Pioneers for Thoughtful Coexistence, Inc., tells us how they are using lobster traps without ropes to better protect whales. Bloomberg Baystate Business With Tom Moroney, Joe Shortsleeve, Kim Carrigan, Anne Mostue and Janet Wu 1-25-23 AAA Spokesperson Mark Schieldrop tells us why gas prices are on the rise.
Sponsored feature | Our film critic, Mark Walsh, takes a look at the latest releases and special events at the cinema. Read Mark's verdict on the top 50 ...
Fraser remains a well-deserved contender in awards season and while all the talk has been of his return to the top of his profession, it’s also Aronofsky’s best work since Black Swan over a decade ago. Fraser brings astonishing pathos and sincerity to his portrayal of Charlie, and it’s testament to his gifts that it really is difficult to think of another actor delivering such a compelling portrayal. It’s a chance to reappraise one of the defining works of Nineties French cinema back on the big screen. The role is a physically challenging one, with Fraser required to wear prosthetics weighing up to 300 lbs to portray Charlie, an English professor working from home who keeps his camera off when teaching online to avoid revealing his morbid obesity to his students. Field’s film is meticulously researched and, while showing a deep love for the art form it portrays, it’s not afraid to generate debate about music or the roles and responsibilities within it. Blanchett also acts as an executive producer on Field’s story of fictional conductor and composer Lydia Tár, a pianist who has reached the exalted heights of becoming the first female conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic.
REVIEW: Brendan Fraser's prosthetics-enhanced showcase won't appeal to everyone, but there's no doubting his commitment to delivering as authentic a ...
Some may even find it a little too manipulative with its Herman Melville allusions and Rob Simonsen’s (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) dissonant, unsettling score. While his casting and prosthetics-enhanced showcase won’t appeal to everyone, there’s no doubting his commitment to delivering as authentic a portrayal as he can. While it never quite reaches the disorientation heights of that Oscar-winner, writer-director Darren Aronofsky and the original playwright Samuel D. “I need to know that I have done one thing right with my life,” Charlie admits, sensing that his time may be short. Sure they’ve heard Charlie (Brendan Fraser) wax lyrical on the virtues of clear and persuasive language, but they’ve never actually seen him there always seems to be a problem with his laptop’s camera. However, with no health insurance, that’s not something he’s prepared to countenance, despite her pleas that “being in debt is better than being dead”.
I'm desperate to see fat characters who aren't 'comic' – but The Whale's appeal for pity is still far from the dignity they deserve, says editor Phoebe-Jane ...
[He has said](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64345843) he hopes the film will help to “end the bias against those who live with obesity”. [genuine sensitivity](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/brendan-fraser-whale-fat-suit-obese-b2266636.html) and thought about the experiences of people with disabling weight issues on the publicity trail, and his portrayal is far from Fat Bastard. I was compared to these characters by bullies who didn’t have a lot of creativity when it came to insults, and by the time [academic theories](https://aeon.co/essays/for-henri-bergson-laughter-is-what-keeps-us-elastic-and-free) behind this – is the laughter due to feelings of superiority (à la Thomas Hobbes and René Descartes), incongruity (Immanuel Kant and Arthur Schopenhauer), relief (Herbert Spencer and Sigmund Freud) – or is it punitive (Henri Bergson)? A more personally informed take came from Little White Lies magazine, with the reviewer’s wish that the film “would have done more to dig into the prevalent notion (subconscious or not) that fat people are any less deserving of dignity, respect and love”. But then I started to notice the sneering behind the performances. Typically, fat suits have been mined for comedy – “a one-note joke”, as acknowledged by Fraser himself. If you haven’t seen the film yet, the reviews can give you an idea of its treatment of obesity, but also very clear insight into the awkwardness involved in covering such a tale for some reviewers. Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale is a perfect example of this: therefore, it is considered brave; therefore, it is bait for awards. That must be the case, considering how many professional actors who happen to fall into that group take on roles they perhaps shouldn’t, and are then celebrated for it by their peers – now including, of course, Brendan Fraser in Based on a play by Samuel D Hunter, the film centres on a “reclusive English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter”. Naturally, the performance was always going to attract lots of press.