The initial conversation around the upcoming drama The Whale was all about Brendan Fraser's comeback, his transformation into the morbidly obese character for the production, his Oscar chances, and the lengthy standing ovations the actor has been getting after festival screenings of the film. According to ScreenRant, it has shifted to controversy over whether prosthetic makeup and fat suits for smaller actors to play heavier characters are offensive. Some extreme critics of the practice have even compared the use of fat suits to white actors performing in blackface. There's also some debate as to whether or not straight actors should be playing gay characters.
Most people who've seen the film seem to agree that Fraser's performance as a 600-Lb. gay man is sensitive and nuanced, but detractors say the role should have gone to an obese, gay performer. Actors Daniel Franzese and Guy Branum (who both check both boxes...gay and obese) have spoken out about their feelings on Fraser playing the role.
It's an interesting debate. It was decided years ago that it is offensive for white actors made up in "blackface" or "brownface" to play non-white characters, but more recently other questions have been raised. What characteristics can be performed without being offensive? Should sighted actors play blind? Is it OK for non-trans people to play trans characters? Is it offensive for actors without intellectual disabilities to play characters with Autism or Down Syndrome? Should taller actors be using camera tricks or effects to play shorter people? Where do we draw the line?
Darren Aronofsky's The Whale is set to open December 9th.