Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale is an adaptation of the stage play by Samuel D. Hunter which brings beloved star Brendan Fraser again to the massive display screen for his most bold position up to now. The star of movies like George of the Jungle, Bedazzled, and The Mummy franchise has returned to the highest of trending subjects and charts, because of his portrayal on this licensed tearjerker of a drama.
In the movie, audiences are launched to Fraser’s interpretation of Charlie. This on-line English instructor is severely overweight and certain to his house, the place the one interplay he has is together with his good friend Liz (performed by Hong Chau) and his estranged daughter Ellie (performed by Sadie Sink). The movie feels very very like a play, the place it’s set in a single major location and is closely propelled by dialogue. However, Fraser is the guts and soul of this film, and it may probably be the efficiency that lands him his very first Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. But why was his efficiency so compelling, and the way may he be a lock to win the massive award this yr?
Feeling the Weight of The Whale
Perhaps essentially the most instantly notable factor of Fraser’s efficiency is the quantity of prosthetics and kit that went into constructing the character of Charlie. In addition, it was essential to the make-up division, helmed by Oscar-nominated prosthetic designer Adrien Morot, to ascertain a sensible look to Charlie’s physique. It abides by the legal guidelines of gravity. In an interview with Variety, Fraser discusses the hassle of costuming and making ready for the character of Charlie:
“It started in the early winter of 2021. With a test that took six hours to get into. I had to get the tactile experience of actually wearing the gear. I had to learn how to ambulate and move because Charlie’s mobility is limited. It informed us a great deal about what was possible, what would work and what wasn’t working.”
To set up an emotional and bodily reference to this character, we have to really feel the burden of his efficiency. In sure moments when Charlie is struggling to breath or making an attempt to maneuver by way of his house, the viewers can really feel his wrestle. Fraser’s facial expressions emote an actual sense of ache… which is masked by consuming, one thing Fraser does fairly virtually (and with a ton of queasy foley work).
A Search for Truth
From the primary sequence on this movie, we see Charlie in essentially the most weak of positions. He’s helpless and alone, and we quickly discover out he’s making an attempt to fill a void that has been left by demise and remorse. Fraser embraces this vulnerability and reaches out to the viewers for one final lifeline. This character is on a seek for fact, and he persuades his college students to do the identical by way of their writing.
Truth is subjective, and it means one thing completely different to every particular person. But what does fact imply to Charlie, or by way of the efficiency of Fraser? Charlie sees the great in folks and the worth of human expression. Fraser naturally emotes kindness and generosity which is accentuated by way of his efficiency as Charlie, however he additionally doesn’t disguise this man’s imperfections. He has his flaws and accepts his destiny. However, within the time that he has left, he needs to do no matter he can to make amends. His daughter Ellie has been estranged from Charlie for eight years, and the best way through which Charlie tries to rekindle their relationship is thru financial achieve.
The most impactful moments of the movie are when the viewers sees Charlie’s well being proceed to say no. While most of Fraser’s physique is roofed, the emotion screams by way of his eyes. When he’s in extreme ache or feeling real happiness within the presence of his daughter, the leaps and bounds of emotion make this efficiency a particular contender for the massive award.
Building A Character
In an article in People Magazine, Fraser discusses the thought of constructing a personality:
“I think it’s one of the more exacting ways you can create a character and body, and in this case the mandate that Charlie’s costume would respect the laws of gravity and physics as opposed to the many ways that we’ve seen that character depicted in films before as really a one-note joke, and in a costume that’s just unfair.”
This position wanted to go to an actor like Fraser. The persona is constructed round a person who can get the viewers on his aspect. We snicker with him, cry with him, and in his remaining moments when he stands to his toes to chase the eternal phrases from his daughter’s prose, we really feel a way of euphoria when he’s lastly free to roam the waters of eternity. Fraser connects with the viewers and endures such bodily hardship, all whereas crafting a efficiency that can be talked about for generations. While there are actually different Oscar-worthy actors this yr, resembling Colin Farrell and Austin Butler, it seems like Fraser is a lock to win.