Brendan Frazer crowned best actor for his role in The Whale!
I saw this film just this past weekend in the only cinema that showed it in Lille: Le Majestic. And I must say that I could have missed out on a little gem if I had stuck to my usual cinema, because I would have missed out on a film which offers us a range of emotions and an extraordinary richness. of the common.
This film is a gem due to its minimalist staging, the acting incredible work by Brendan Frazer, but also for his certain originality that the director has in shooting any film in 4/3 format (as was the first films including that of the Lumière brothers) and not in 2.35 format as we have used to seeing him.
Even if the film only takes place in a single room and the camera seems static, it is nonetheless not impressive due to the writing of its characters who confide in the spectators.
And that it is not the big surprise to see all the acting of a Braden Frazer expressed, a Braden Frazer forced to stay lying on his sofa because of the morbid obesity from which his character Charlie suffers . Which also reinforces the idea and confirms to us that the actor knows how to play with his full range of emotions.
Braden Frazer is an actor who has been somewhat forgotten by the public in recent years because of a sexual assault which left a deep mark on him and led to his downfall after having known his hours of glory in the trilogy “The Mummy » that everyone knows.
Besides on this subject, I would recommend this documentary on the actor, produced by a cinema enthusiast: https://youtu.be/j8-bg0upNbE and highlights the actor's entire life, which is not only strewn with pitfalls but also with moments of glory.
The Whale was therefore an opportunity for the actor to return to the forefront and that's good. Because nothing is better than after years of personal setbacks than to get back on track as majestically as with The Whale.
Just like Nicolas Cage who got people talking about him again last year with the film “A Talent in Solid Gold” in which he plays himself, and which made me laugh for the self-deprecation shown by the main actor .
I have a particular affection for this kind of story, of people who seem to fall and find themselves at the bottom of the abyss, and who then manage to get back up to flourish again in their lives. A particular affection because my life has for a long time been (and still is but to a lesser extent) a fight to prove my existence, my place and my usefulness in today's world. After all, what is a person without purpose and deep conviction? It's only in the last couple of years that I've been living a second life thanks to those around me but also thanks to outside people who have put my values and qualities into perspective.
So I'm very happy to see Brendan Frazer shine again in the cinema.
Hoping that the public will give him a second chance by going to see his films.
Some videos on the subject:
Oscar for Best Actor for The Whale: https://youtu.be/sW_4230HKWA
Canal Plus report on Brendan Frazer: https://youtu.be/m2b_EK_0QAU
THE WHALE
Theatrical release: March 8, 2023
Duration: 1h57
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Main actors: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins
Synopsis: Charlie, an English teacher reclusive at home, tries to reconnect with his teenage daughter for a last chance at redemption.
