VENICE — 1990s movieEncinoman” When “George of the Jungle‘, says Brendan Fraser with amazing sensitivity.
We discussed his new film at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday.”whale” the 53-year-old actor responded to a press conference question in a trembling voice, placing director Darren Aronofsky’s steady hand on his shoulder. A room full of journalists burst into applause of encouragement whenever they were able to conclude a statement without a word.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” said Fraser. “I am looking forward to making a deep impression on everyone, not just me.”
His career declined in the years that followed.”mummy(1999) made him a rich leader. In Aronofsky’s film based on Samuel D. Hunter’s play, Fraser plays Charlie, a 600-pound gay man who wears a prosthetic bodysuit and lives in miserable solitude after the death of her lover. there is Kentucky He’s fried Whether he’s grabbing a bucket of chicken or American He’s stacking cheese , I don’t even bother to chew food. He inhales each piece as if he wants to smother it.
His caregiver (Hong Chau) warns Charlie that his blood pressure is so serious that if he doesn’t change his ways or go to the hospital, he will almost certainly die. But meanwhile, Charlie tries to get his estranged daughter (Sadie Sink) back on track.
Aronofsky had wanted to mount a film for years, but could never land on the right lead. There were no people,” said the director. “It didn’t move me, it didn’t feel right.”
“journey to the end of the night,2006 low-budget film starring Fraser: Perhaps like Mickey Rourke in Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, Fraser was ripe for a rebirth.
And for that matter, transform. Fraser wears prosthetics and at times he plays Charlie who has gained 300 extra pounds. “I had to learn to move in a new way,” said Fraser. “He developed muscles he didn’t know he had. At the end of the day, when all the appliances were removed, just like when we got off the boat at the docks here in Venice, I felt dizzy. I even felt
Oscar voters love a candidate who transforms physically, but not everyone is happy with his movie transformation. , Emma Thompson, and Renee Zellweger all wear fat suits to play. some claims Fat-phobic and exploitative.
Fraser says that spending time in Charlie’s skin “made me appreciate people with similar bodies. I think that’s Charlie.”
Many of Fraser’s early roles were aided by his physical beauty and muscular physique. One journalist recalled watching “George of the Jungle” with his children and said, “It can be very beautiful and isolating because people don’t see you.” The long-dead Fraser nodded.
“I looked different then,” he said. “My journey to where I am today has been to explore as many characters as possible, and this has been the biggest challenge for me.”
Will that challenge lead to Fraser’s first Oscar nomination? It was clear that the story could bring Fraser to the front of the pack. said calmly that there were still more.
“My crystal ball is broken,” Fraser told journalists. “I don’t know if it works, but I’ll see you after the show. Let’s take a peek together.”