Brendan Fraser Wins Critics Choice Actor Award for The Whale

Brendan Fraser was one of the winners at the 28th edition of Critics Choice Awards this Sunday (15). The actor was honored in the Best Actor category for his role in The Whale (The whale). Fraser gave an emotional speech upon accepting the award.

By winning the category, Fraser beat Austin Butler, nominated for his performance in Elvis; Tom Cruise, by Top Gun: Maverick; Colin Farrell, by The Banshees of Inisherin; Paul Mescal, by Aftersun; It is Bill Nighy, by Living.

Receiving a standing ovation, Fraser gave an emotional speech, where he thanked the production team and the cast who worked with him on the film. “This film is about love, redemption and finding the light in a dark place. I'm so lucky to have worked with such an incredible cast, including Hong Chau, (…) Sadie Sink, I tell everyone she's amazing. Who are you? Your talent is something that took me thirty years to develop,” he said.

In addition to his companions on the set, the actor also took the moment to thank director Darren Aronofsky. “I was in the jungle and maybe I should have left a trail of breadcrumbs behind. But you found me. And like all the best directors, you only pointed the way for me to get where I needed to go.”

The Whale tells the story of Charlie (Fraser), a literature professor who goes into depression and gains more than 200kg after the death of his boyfriend. While facing the problems arising from grief and unable to get up from the couch, Charlie tries to get closer to his teenage daughter (Sadie Sink).

Fraser ended his speech with some moving advice. “If you, like a guy like Charlie – who I played in this movie – are somehow dealing with obesity or feel like you're in a dark sea, I want you to know that if you too have the strength to stand up and go to light, good things will happen”, he concluded.

Check out the speech:

Brendan Fraser's acceptance speech after winning Best Actor #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/iQgFe4FnjS

— Natalie (@livelyackles) January 16, 2023

_{Brandon Fraser receives the award for Best Actor for “The Whale” (Reproduction/Twitter)}

Fraser's performance in the film placed him among the most popular names in contention for the 2023 Oscars.

The prediction is that The Whale premieres in Brazilian cinemas on February 26th.

Featured Photo: Brandon Frase as Charlie in The Whale – Disclosure/Protozoa Pictures