The Whale Star Brendan Fraser Condemns Fatphobia In Modern Media

Brendan Fraser condemns how society and the media refer to individuals with weight issues. Fraser stars in The Whale as Charlie, a reclusive English teacher who weighs 600 lbs. and faces deteriorating health as a result. The Whale explores Charlie’s quest to reconnect with his estranged daughter as well as his relationships with his closest friend, ex-wife, and a missionary.

Fraser has already earned critical acclaim for his performance, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where The Whale and Fraser received a six-minute standing ovation. During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Fraser condemned how the media portrays and refers to “those who have weight issues in their life.” He reveals that talking with people from the Obesity Action Coalition opened his eyes to the reality of obesity and hopes that The Whale will do the same. Fraser discusses the negative effects of words and prejudices about body image and how they can have a long-term impact on a person.

Brendan Fraser: And I’ll go out on a limb here. I think it’s a personal view, but I think we can do a lot better as a society to dispense with what is common in so far as how we are casual about how we refer to those who have weight issues in their life. Because if I’d learned anything important about how to play him, it was from what I learned from the Obesity Action Coalition, who are an organization that supports so many people still seeking bariatric procedures, those with eating disorders. Look up the OAC, they’re very helpful.

I think that we can do better because I learned from those people that I spoke to that very often the circumstances of their life began at a very young age. Someone spoke to them with recrimination, someone harmed them, someone was vindictive towards them, and it stayed with them. Words can be painful, and they can do damage, and I believe that we can do better. It seems like a simple enough Pollyanna, let’s hold hand kind of notion, but it matters, it really matters, with real-life circumstances, which is the impetus behind Sam’s play and screenplay. We’re going to change some hearts and minds with everyone’s help insofar as them dispensing with what they walked in the door thinking, to how they’re going to need to reorient that by stories. I had a responsibility to play the character with as much dignity and authenticity, whatever that may look like to its audience or to the members of his family and friends, the four other characters who come through that apartment.

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How The Whale Can Change The Language Around Obesity

The reason behind Charlie’s weight issues is an important part of his story in The Whale, and understanding that is a key part of understanding Charlie. Fraser’s transformation for The Whale extends beyond the physical aspects with his newfound understanding of what often leads to weight issues and even eating disorders. Fraser’s call to action about people understanding the ramifications of not only their words but also their judgments and prejudices brings a new depth to The Whale’s meaning.

Controversies around body image are not new in light of the body positivity movement, with actresses such as Jameela Jamil openly talking about her refusal to be edited in promotional material for her projects, and women in the industry constantly being asked about their weight or workout routines during interviews. Society is built around an idea of what a healthy and attractive weight looks like, to detrimental results. Fraser’s condemnation of society’s lack of empathy points to a larger problem and conversation that The Whale may be able to open up.

The Whale, based on a play of the same name by Sam Hunter, is a stand-out role for Fraser, not only because of his incredible performance but also the intimate story. The film explores Charlie’s relationships and the consequences of actions he took many years ago that led to his estrangement from his daughter. Understanding and empathizing with Charlie’s story in The Whale, including the root cause of his weight issues, has the potential to truly change hearts and minds just as Fraser hopes.

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