Darren Aronofsky on obesity, empathy and ‘The Whale’
2 years ago

Darren Aronofsky on obesity, empathy and ‘The Whale’

LA Times  

It’s Mark Olsen, film writer for The Times and “The Envelope” podcast co-host. “The Whale” director Darren Aronofsky is known for dark, challenging films that are often provocative and divisive, but when I spoke with him for today’s episode of “The Envelope,” his demeanor defied my expectations: He’s thoughtful, reflective and a little bit sweet. In our conversation, Aronofsky reflects on how “The Whale” interacts with obesity and fatphobia, discusses exploring humanity through science and describes why the “Brenaissance” — star Brendan Fraser’s triumphant return to acting — caught him by surprise. — Darren Aronofsky Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or on latimes.com, where you can also read the full transcript.

Aronofsky Darren Aronofsky  actors  won  love  envelope  darren  obesity  youtube  writer  triumphant  empathy  whale  aronofsky

History of this topic

Oscars 2023: Brendan Fraser wins Best Actor for The Whale
1 year, 9 months ago

Oscars 2023: Brendan Fraser wins Best Actor for The Whale

The Independent  

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Brendan Fraser has won Best Actor at …

The Whale review: A searing drama with a heartrending Brendan Fraser
1 year, 11 months ago

The Whale review: A searing drama with a heartrending Brendan Fraser

Live Mint  

Writer Samuel D Hunter has channeled his own story and experiences into The Whale. Charlie, played brilliantly by Brendan Fraser, is the hurting, overweight teacher, but he is an optimistic, trusting man who looks for good in everyone. Charlie teaches online classes, careful to keep his camera switched off at all times so that his students cannot see the obese, …

The Whale movie review: Masterful, moving performances by Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau clash with an overdone story
1 year, 11 months ago

The Whale movie review: Masterful, moving performances by Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau clash with an overdone story

Hindustan Times  

Darren Aronofsky's The Whale is set over the crucial last days in the life of Charlie, an obese, reclusive professor, played by Brendan Fraser. Brendan Fraser has been nominated for Best Actor at the 95th Academy Awards Since the death of his boyfriend Alan, Charlie has been burying himself in grief and food. Meanwhile, Liz tries to protect Charlie from …

Brendan Fraser on winning Critics Choice Best Actor Award for The Whale: 'If you like Charlie, good things will happen'
1 year, 11 months ago

Brendan Fraser on winning Critics Choice Best Actor Award for The Whale: 'If you like Charlie, good things will happen'

Firstpost  

It won’t be wrong to say that the year 2023 kick-started by felicitating well-deserved projects and artists in the entertainment industry across the globe. While SS Rajamouli’s RRR brought home two big titles back home, Darren Aronofsky’s psychological drama The Whale clinched an extremely important title at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards. This is because Hollywood star Brendan Fraser’s …

The Whale director Darren Aronofsky says fatphobia criticisms ‘make no sense’
2 years ago

The Whale director Darren Aronofsky says fatphobia criticisms ‘make no sense’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The film stars Brendan Fraser as an obese and reclusive English teacher who has a …

Darren Aronofsky on 'The Whale,' fatphobia and empathy
2 years ago

Darren Aronofsky on 'The Whale,' fatphobia and empathy

LA Times  

Darren Aronofsky is known for directing dark, provocative, divisive films such as “Requiem for a Dream” and “Black Swan,” but in “The Whale,” he sees hope, “human connection and a belief in the human spirit.” In this episode of “The Envelope,” Aronofsky reflects on how “The Whale” interacts with obesity and fatphobia, discusses exploring humanity through science, and describes why …

Brendan Fraser on ‘The Whale’: I gave it everything I had every day
2 years, 1 month ago

Brendan Fraser on ‘The Whale’: I gave it everything I had every day

The Hindu  

In a darkened hotel room in New York's Soho neighborhood, Brendan Fraser kindly greets a reporter with an open plastic bag in his hand. Fraser's performance been hailed as his comeback — a word, he says, that “doesn’t hurt my feelings.” But it’s not the one he’d choose. It adds up to Fraser’s most empathetic performance, one that has returned …

The Whale: Brendan Fraser deserves the Oscar, but the movie? Yikes.
2 years, 1 month ago

The Whale: Brendan Fraser deserves the Oscar, but the movie? Yikes.

Slate  

The cetacean referred to most directly in the title of Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale is not the film’s 600-pound protagonist but the elusive white whale of Moby-Dick, a novel that figures largely in the hero’s past history and present emotional life. If I had to evaluate the movie making my own allusion to Melville’s leviathan, I might have gone with …

Darren Aronofsky defends his decision to cast Brendan Fraser in ‘The Whale’
2 years, 2 months ago

Darren Aronofsky defends his decision to cast Brendan Fraser in ‘The Whale’

LA Times  

Director Darren Aronofsky, from right, Brendan Fraser and screenwriter Samuel D. Hunter arrive at the premiere of “The Whale” during the 2022 London Film Festival. Director Darren Aronofsky initially wanted to cast an actor who could play the 600-pound lead of his forthcoming film “The Whale” without any physical alterations before going with Brendan Fraser in the starring role. To …

Brendan Fraser Responds To Backlash Over Wearing Fat Suit In ‘The Whale’
2 years, 2 months ago

Brendan Fraser Responds To Backlash Over Wearing Fat Suit In ‘The Whale’

Huff Post  

Brendan Fraser attends "The Whale" U.K. premiere during the 66th BFI London Film Festival on Tuesday. John Phillips via Getty Images Brendan Fraser says he hopes that his controversial comeback role will “change” the way society perceives and treats fat people amid mounting criticism. I only know that I had to give as honest a performance as I can.” Premiering …

The Whale: Brendan Fraser career timeline: From Nineties icon to the ‘Brenaissance’
2 years, 2 months ago

The Whale: Brendan Fraser career timeline: From Nineties icon to the ‘Brenaissance’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Fraser was one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading men in the 1990s and 2000s open …

The Whale movie: Brendan Fraser gets ‘huge round of applause’ following first screening of Darren Aronofsky film
2 years, 4 months ago

The Whale movie: Brendan Fraser gets ‘huge round of applause’ following first screening of Darren Aronofsky film

The Independent  

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Brendan Fraser is reportedly so good in …

Brendan Fraser celebrated for comeback role in ‘The Whale’
2 years, 4 months ago

Brendan Fraser celebrated for comeback role in ‘The Whale’

Associated Press  

VENICE, Italy — Brendan Fraser is having a moment at the Venice International Film Festival. But Fraser is charting what could be a major comeback starting with his transformative role in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale,” which had its world premiere Sunday night at the festival. It didn’t feel right.” Then, a few years ago, he saw a trailer for “a …

The Whale review: 'Brendan Fraser deserves an Oscar'
2 years, 4 months ago

The Whale review: 'Brendan Fraser deserves an Oscar'

BBC  

The Whale review: 'Brendan Fraser deserves an Oscar' A24 Darren Aronofsky's latest is a "well-meaning redemption story", which stars Brendan Fraser as a morbidly obese literature professor. After years in the Hollywood wilderness, Brendan Fraser is getting parts in major films again - including DC's shot-but-shelved Batgirl movie - and his fans are hoping that this will lead to a …

Brendan Fraser in ‘The Whale’ stokes fans for his comeback: ‘Get that man an Oscar!’
2 years, 5 months ago

Brendan Fraser in ‘The Whale’ stokes fans for his comeback: ‘Get that man an Oscar!’

LA Times  

Brendan Fraser’s going all in for his return to the big screen, and the actor’s fans are more than ready for it. While Fraser’s character transformation garnered attention, many social media users were just excited to see the “Mummy” star continue his return to the big screen. Movies Review: Brendan Fraser sparks Indian crime drama ‘Line of Descent’ An organized-crime …

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