With its Oscar nominations, there are questions about whether Darren Aronofsky's The Whale is a true story. The movie was met with critical acclaim, especially its incredible lead performance from Brendan Fraser at its center, and it had a fascinating story. The Whale followed an introverted English teacher named Charlie (Fraser), who lived with severe obesity and was trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink) years after he left his family for his gay lover. This guilt Charlie felt for his decision triggered his binge eating and weight gain.
The Whale drew controversy despite Fraser's comeback, specifically around criticisms of dehumanizing fatphobia. Fraser had both digital and practical effects applied to his performance, so he could play a 600lb man. However, the wave of positivity around Fraser's Charlie took center stage even with these concerns, with Fraser receiving a five-minute standing ovation after TIFF's showing of The Whale. The ovation moved Fraser to tears, and he said he hoped the film would "change some hearts and minds," while encouraging viewers to become more compassionate. It also prompted questions about whether its compelling narrative - is The Whale a true story?
The Whale Is Based On A Play, Not A True Story
The Whale is not a true story but is based on a 2012 play by Samuel D. Hunter, who also wrote the film. Dale Calandra played the original Charlie in a similar transformation to Fraser's for The Whale movie, during the play's original run at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater in Chicago. The film's plot closely followed the play's, although there were a few cinematic format advantages over a theater that Hunter made use of, including staging scenes at a beach.
Aronofsky wanted to adapt The Whale on screen after seeing the play during its original run and meeting its writer, noting to NBC that he was especially touched by the line of dialogue, "people are incapable of caring." What took the film adaptation so long was his struggle to find someone who could personify Charlie's humanity. He then came across a trailer for the Brazilian thriller Journey to the End of the Night starring Fraser and knew he had found his perfect protagonist.
The Inspirations Behind The Whale
The Whale kickstarted Fraser's comeback because of his empathetic performance as a complicated, vulnerable obese man. However, it's not a play or film about obesity but rather a human connection. That, and the grief, self-loathing, loneliness, and guilt fostered without human connection, was Hunter's inspiration for the play.
Hunter's work teaching expository writing informed Charlie's story, as he found himself trying to connect with reluctant teenagers forced to do the course that he taught. "It was just that struggle to connect with these kids that really gave birth to the play," Hunter told Speakeasy Stage in 2014. The play became Hunter's meditation on how everyone can be more compassionate, which translated beautifully into Aronofsky's The Whale and especially Fraser's performance.
Brendan Fraser Is A Front-Runner At The Oscars
The Golden Globes awarded Austin Butler (Elvis) the Best Actor award over Brendan Fraser, but Fraser is still the Oscars' frontrunner for The Whale. True story or not, Fraser delivered an award-worthy performance and enjoyed a massive comeback, making him someone who could easily walk out of the ceremony this year with the first Oscar award of his career. Fraser also isn't the only chance The Whale has of winning Oscar gold.
While passed over for the Best Picture and Best Director nominations, the movie did receive another acting accolade when Hong Chau picked up a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Charlie's caregiver Liz. The Whale also deservedly picked up a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for the work at transforming Fraser into his heartbreaking character.