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“The Whale”, the brand new film from celebrated Hollywood filmmaker, Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For A Dream, The Wrestler, Black Swan) that stars Brendan Fraser (Gods and Monsters, The Mummy, The Quiet American) as “A reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity” who “attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption” had its official debut last night at the prestigious 79th Annual Venice International Film Festival.
Although reviews of the movie by those in attendance are still restricted by reporting embargos. Word has come out this morning that Fraser’s performance in the movie is so powerful and moving, that upon seeing his name in the movie’s end credits, the audience gave a standing ovation of over 6 minutes, showing their appreciation for Fraser’s work in the movie.
This kind of reception is a rare honour that is reserved by the critical audiences of festivals such as Venice and the equally prestigious Cannes Film Festival only for performances and/or movies that have truly moved and impressed them.
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So, for Brendan Fraser, after an acting careers spanning 31 years this year, to receive this kind of reception, is, in this writer’s personal opinion, long overdue. As Fraser’s acting prowess has never been in doubt with incredible dramatic turns in 1998’s Gods and Monsters acting opposite Sir Ian McKellen, and then acting opposite Sir Michael Caine in 2002’s The Quiet American.
For an actor to be cast as the lead opposite two actors of such renown with filmographies as celebrated as both of theirs. You have to be much, much more, than just a “pretty boy actor”, or a “clown”, as Fraser so often over his career was written off as due to his comedic roles in “Encino Man/California Man“, “Airheads“, and “George of The Jungle“. Or, due to his starring role in director, Stephen Sommer’s, blockbuster “The Mummy” franchise wherein Fraser starred as the charming and heroic rogue adventurer, Rick O’ Connell.
A role, frankly, that like Harrison Ford before him in “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark“, or Bruce Willis in “Die Hard“, should have catapulted Frasier straight into consideration for further Hollywood leading man roles, as his cinematic successor, Chris Pratt, has become following his turn as Peter Quill in “Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy“.
Alas, this was not to be the case, as history, and recent, painful revelations in a very brave interview from Fraser himself have revealed that despite his obvious talent and intelligence (my words not his as Fraser is too humble to describe himself this way), he still had to fight to be taken seriously by his peers and to continue to work. All of which, along with losses in his personal life, and his ensuing mental health struggles, lead to him stepping away from acting for a time in order to care for his health.
Then when calls came across social media from his fans asking where he was, and more importantly, if he was doing okay. Hollywood finally began to take notice of one of their most under appreciated colleagues, and so it was, with DC Comics and HBO Max’s comic book adaptation, “Doom Patrol” (2019), wherein Fraser played former race car driver turned giant metallic hero, Cliff Steele, that this new chapter of Fraser’s career began in earnest.
As following his ongoing role as Steele, would come more roles including another starring TV series role, this time as billionaire futurist, Peter Swann in “Professionals“, followed by starring for celebrated director, Steven Soderbergh, in his latest feature, “No Sudden Move” alongside frequent Soderberg collaborators, Benicio Del Toro, and Don Cheadle.
Which brings us back to Fraser’s latest movie, The Whale, which, again, saw Fraser receive a 6 minute standing ovation with reports even saying that the audience in attendance were heard saying that this role could see Fraser receive an Oscar nomination, and hopefully, a much deserved Oscar win, at next year’s 95th Academy Awards ceremony.
The Whale is currently set for release in the United States on 9th December 2022 with a UK release date still to be announced.
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