The “Mommy” actor is criticized for wearing a “fat costume” as Charlie in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale”.
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After being out of the limelight for nearly ten years, Brendan Fraser (53) is returning to the role of Charlie. An overweight man tries to reconnect with his separated daughter.
The film received a six-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival premiere in September.
Critics agree that Fraser makes a good appearance as Charlie in “The Whale”. However, there are many who criticize the film for being fat-phobic and question the use of a so-called “fat costume” in the film.
The use of “fat coveralls” is a practice that has been heavily criticized due to the fact that it has historically been used to make thin actors look overweight. The use of coveralls has been described as stigmatizing for being overweight.
At the same time, overweight actors have trouble 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 small man. And I don’t know what the calculation is to qualify for the role. I just know that I had to give as honest a performance as possible, she says in another interview News week.
Unfair treatment
Additionally, Fraser says he hopes the character Charlie can help break stereotypes.
– I hope we can change some hearts and minds at least in regards to how we think and feel those living with obesity, he says.
– Often these people are rejected in our society, or object of contempt, and it is unfair to them. I think putting people to shame for this reason is almost the last domain of prejudice that we overlook, and I think we can do better to change that. So I hope this movie can change some hearts.
Fraser also criticizes the way Hollywood has portrayed overweight characters.
– I don’t want to pinpoint anyone by name, but many of these films are one-sided and depict obesity with crude jokes, he tells Variety.
Both Fraser and Aronofsky say they would do whatever they can to play Charlie with empathy and understanding.
Inaccessible
While many are positive about Fraser’s performance, several critics question Aronofsky’s portrayal of overweight people, and the film has been criticized for being fat-phobic.
Charlie’s portrayal in “The Whale” is criticized by some for being “disgusting” and dehumanizing.
Aronofsky tells Variety that Fraser’s “fat costume” was designed using of a 3D printer with the aim of creating something that would burden Fraser. So that she could better understand the challenges Charlie had when he walked, she would get up from a chair or take a shower.
Darren Aronofsky replies because he didn’t choose Charlie for someone of the actual weight and size of the character.
When asked why he didn’t assign the role of Charlie to an actor of the actual size and weight of the character, Aronofsky says it’s health prohibitive.
– It’s an impossible role to fill with a real person dealing with these issues, he says in an interview with Variety.
Additionally, he adds that someone of Charlie’s life size may not have been able to perform at the level required by the role.
Aronofsky says there was a point where they tried to find overweight actors, but they hadn’t been able to find an actor of the size that fit the role.
