Brendan Fraser responds to criticism – VG

The ‘Mummy’ actor criticized for wearing a ‘fat suit’ as Charlie in Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Whale’.

After being out of the spotlight for nearly ten years, Brendan Fraser, 53, is back in the role of Charlie. An overweight man tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter.

The film received a six-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September.

Critics agree that Fraser does well as Charlie in “The Whale.” However, there are many who criticize the film for being afraid of obesity, and question the use of the so-called “fat suit” in the film.

The use of “fat suits” is a practice that has been heavily criticized due to the fact that it has historically been used to make skinny actors appear overweight. The use of suits has been portrayed as a stigma for those who are overweight.

At the same time, overweight actors have problems getting roles.

Fraser responds to criticism that he hopes his controversial return will change the way society views and treats overweight people.

– I’m not a little guy. And I don’t know what the account is to qualify for the role. I just know I had to give as honest a performance as possible, as he said in another interview Newsweek.

unfair treatment

On top of that, Fraser says he hopes Charlie’s character can help break stereotypes.

“I hope we can change at least some hearts and minds when it comes to how we think and feel about those who are obese,” he says.

– These people are often excluded in our society, or the object of contempt, and it is unfair to them. I think exposing people to this is almost the last area of ​​bias that we condone, and I think we can do better to change that. So I hope this movie will change some hearts.

Fraser is also critical of how Hollywood portrayed overweight characters.

– I don’t want to single out anyone by name, but many of these films are one-sided and depict obesity with lewd jokes, he told Variety.

Both Fraser and Aronofsky say they will do everything they can to portray Charlie with sympathy and understanding.

can’t stand it

Although many were positive about Fraser’s performance, many critics question Aronofsky’s portrayal of overweight people and the film has been criticized for being a fat phobia.

Some have criticized the portrayal of Charlie in “Whale” for being “disgusting” and inhumane.

Aronofsky tells Variety that “Fraser’s fat suit” was Designed with for a 3D printer with the goal of creating something that would overburden a freezer. So he can better understand the challenges Charlie faced when walking, getting up from a chair or showering.

Darren Aronofsky answers why he wouldn’t look at someone with the same actual weight and size as the character.

When asked why he wasn’t given the role of Charlie for an actor of the character’s actual weight and size, Aronofsky said that from a health perspective, it’s exorbitant.

– A role that is impossible to fill with a real person who deals with these problems, says in an interview with Variety.

Furthermore, he adds that someone of actual Charlie’s size might not have been able to perform to the level that the role required.

Aronofsky says that there was a point where they tried to find actors who were overweight, but couldn’t find an actor of the size that would fit the role.

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