As a dedicated cinephile who’s been around the block more times than I care to count, I must say that The Whale left me both heartbroken and astounded. Brendan Fraser’s comeback was nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s a shame that such a powerful performance is overshadowed by the controversy surrounding this film.
Is the heartfelt return of Brendan Fraser in the film “The Whale” by A24 factually inspired by real events, or is it a fictionalized tale?
You may remember everyone going crazy for a movie called The Whale a few awards seasons ago. After being ousted by Hollywood some decades before, Brendan Fraser came back fighting in a blistering performance as Charlie, a 600 lb English teacher who is confined to his own home.
Once more, it’s making waves in popular discussions due to its latest streaming platform launch, allowing us another chance to shed tears galore. The series, primarily set within a single apartment, features Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink and Hong Chau as key supporting characters.
In essence, Charlie’s narrative is heart-wrenchingly authentic; here are some facts about the genuine account that inspired the movie titled “The Whale.
The Whale is a true story… ish
In my perspective, as a devoted admirer, Samuel D. Hunter’s masterpiece, The Whale, while purely fictional, is deeply rooted in personal anecdotes from his life.
Born and raised in Moscow, Idaho, Hunter was expelled from his religious institution of higher learning upon disclosing his sexual orientation as gay. Subsequently, he moved to a Midwestern state for graduate studies, eventually landing at Juilliard – it was there that he started writing The Whale. Initially, the story debuted as an off-Broadway play in 2012 before undergoing adaptation.
In his academic curriculum, Hunter found himself instructing an expository writing course, much like the one portrayed by Charlie in the movie. Remarkably, the content of this class was so identical that a genuine student’s work penned by Hunter’s students ended up being included in the film’s script when Charlie asked them to write something “authentic.
He told the University of Iowa, “My students wrote incredible things. One wrote, ‘I think I need to accept that my life isn’t going to be very exciting,’ and it was such a heartbreaking and beautiful and vulnerable thing for this kid to write.
At that moment, I pondered whether I could compose a play centered around an educator who specializes in expository writing. It struck me as rather cerebral and peculiar, yet I entertained the idea that perhaps I might manage it.
Beyond this point, it’s important to note that The Whale is purely a work of fiction. However, the author’s deliberate choices in its creation reflect many aspects of contemporary life, as Hunter has shared.
In simpler terms, I find it simple yet unproductive to be cynical. What truly challenges me is believing in others and maintaining hope, particularly during tough times. I’m hoping that this narrative will resonate with people as a tale of resilient hope and dignity, emphasizing the value of trusting one another. And let me add, Charlie embodies faith in others more than anyone else I know.
Despite the world offering numerous instances that could harden him into a skeptic and distrust others, he stubbornly holds onto his belief in humanity. This is the core theme portrayed in the movie.
Why is the movie so controversial?
Initially, upon its debut, I found myself facing accusations of fatphobia, while unfortunately falling back on some overused stereotypes regarding topics like struggle, deep-seated depression, and compulsive eating.
Throughout the film, Charlie endeavors to mend his strained relationship with his long-lost daughter as he approaches the end of his life, as his health progressively worsens. Simultaneously, he grapples with sorrow over the passing of his former partner, who was also a man.
In some instances, Fraser wore a fat suit requiring about six hours to adjust, making him bear an additional 300 pounds in certain scenes.
To put it in my own words as a fan, I must admit that the movie didn’t seem to resonate positively with critics. Rebecca Bodenheimer from The Daily Beast described it as the epitome of fatphobia. To quote her exactly, “It was fatphobia at its worst.” Interestingly, when Fraser received a standing ovation for his award, it felt like the applause came from an industry that still seems to stigmatize and shy away from embracing larger bodies.
Eloise Hendy of The Independent points out that although the “fat suit” in ‘The Whale’ isn’t intended for comedy, it serves a purpose that could be more harmful and tragic: to evoke sympathy.
Dr. Marcella Raimondo extended her point, stating, “The portrayal of The Whale perpetuates a damaging stereotype, implying that being overweight is the most abhorrent aspect a person can possess.
Hunter defended his work by saying it intentionally provokes certain biases, as he explained to Variety.
He added “I wasn’t surprised by the blowback, because of the history of the way that obesity is treated on film. And we live in cynical and reactionary times.”
How to watch
At the moment, you can watch “The Whale” on both Netflix and Hoopla. Alternatively, you can purchase or rent the film through Apple TV+.
If you haven’t subscribed to the streaming platform just yet, you can still watch Fraser’s performance by choosing from their various subscription plans. Regrettably, they do not offer a free trial option at this time.
As a movie enthusiast, I can’t wait to explore the entire lineup of A24 films coming out this year! Also, keep an eye out for the latest movies hitting the stream this month. So far, the top movies of the year have been nothing short of remarkable, and I’m eagerly anticipating more cinematic gems!
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2024-11-04 15:23