I think that the source material of ‘The Whale’ is problematic. I think that it’s trying to use extreme fatness as a metaphor for gay pain. And as an actual fat gay person, I feel like my life doesn’t need to be a metaphor for somebody else’s pain.
I also have real problems with the fact that they cast a straight actor who is not very fat, and [who] used prosthetics to represent fatness, in the film. I think it allows people to talk about that character as an object in a way that wouldn’t be possible if it were an actual fat person who you had to look in the eyes.
We all want Brendan Fraser to have a great comeback. We all want this moment for him, but we also need to think about how much we are representing queer life and fat life through straight actors or prosthetics.”— Guy Branum, at the Bros premiere, talking to PRIDE about Brendan Fraser’s controversial casting in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale.
Related: Guy Branum on “getting drunk & trying to F***” and gay culture’s magnificent tools
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Neoprene
LOL! Complete nonsense.
“They didn’t make the film I would’ve made. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Cam
Amazing how fast the right wing troll account will get one of it’s screenames posting on here to ALWAYS attack whatever an LGBTQ person says.
Donston
It is kinda weird how they cast a non plus sized actor and a non queer-presenting actor. But I’ve learned to accept that when it comes to Hollywood most “gay movies” aren’t really for “gays”, and “fat movies” aren’t really gonna be for fat people either. These are money and ego commodities for actors, directors, producers. They’re not really about appealing to the audience they attempt to reflect.
Neoprene
Define “queer-presenting.” And is a “plus sized actor” synonymous with a morbidly obese fatty?
Kangol2
Neoprene, the source text for The Whale specifies that the character is 600 lbs. and gay. Fraser is neither of these. Not even close. There are out, gay plus-sized to obese gay actors out there, but the casting people probably weren’t planning to use any of them. I’m sure they felt a big(ger) name, especially someone making a comeback, would be the best money-making option.
Donston, you are correct that the target for this film isn’t gay people, or even plus-sized or morbidly obese gay people, but the heteronormative system that runs Hollywood, and also straight viewers, very likely cis women.
Guy Branum’s critique of Samuel Hunter’s source play is fascinating (and correct, I think) and I wish Queerty had the chops to delve into it more.
amorg13
He actually is plus sized. He weighs 300 pounds though. The guy who wrote this story might not even weigh that. Does one weight class have a monopoly on representing the obese population? You know that’s splitting hairs to me
southernway
But you didn’t make the film, Blanche, ya didn’t. So shut up and don’t expose your stupidity so easily-I know it’s hard too, but try.
sirald66
Word.
Kangol2
Whether he made the film or not he has the right to state his critique. Or are you trying to preemptively cancel and silence him?
southernway
Kangol2 -I If I had the power to cancel anyone, it wouldn’t be he or you no matter how wrong your comments may be-I wouldn’t waste such power. It appears now the when anyone is called to justify their declaration, it is labeled a cancellation attempt action rather than a debate, he was asked an opinion not a request to state what he would have done if he made the film, which is moot because, he will never make a remake of the film., He just wants to expound on his perceived expertise at any opportunity just because he is gay and fat, and that expertise is not a valid criteria to filmmaking- it is only a perspective,
dbmcvey
Can you disagree without telling him to “shut up?”
Cam
Sweetie, if you’re going to try to hide one of your new screenames you may want to not expose how enraged you get every time a non straight person speaks.
SFHarry
It’s a good thing we as a community didn’t complain about every queer representation in the 90’s in film as being serial killers or mentally unstable. Oh wait, we did, and soon thereafter queer representation started to run the gambit of all types of different personalities.
Good thing you weren’t around back then to mess everything up.
stanpaske
Has anyone seen Brendan Fraser? He got huge. He is far from his Hollywood weight. No, he is not gay but he is always inclusive. That speaks words. This is not his first gay role..
howardstern
He is huge but not 600 lbs huge, he still had to wear a fat suit.
Creamsicle
@howardstern
Because an actual 600 lb person cannot handle a demanding filming schedule. The star of a film is a huge limiting factor in any production. If they’d cast an actual 600 lb man the production would have likely never finished and been a huge waste of time and money.
Despite the common narrative around genetics and weight, the extremely obese are actually genetically GIFTED. Most people cannot survive at that high a weight and will experience debilitating obesity-related diseases and joint issues at much lower weight.
MrGoldman
Please stop bringing attention to such ridiculous statements about what they find problematic. Maybe Branum should have passed on his role in Bros since it is produced by Judd Apatow who is not gay.
bachy
A lot of people overeat as compensation for difficulties in other aspects (including sex) of their lives. ‘The Whale’ is a story about such a person.
It doesn’t mean the film is proposing that fat is some kind of universal metaphor for ‘gay pain.’
Donston
Based on reviews, its messaging is kinda muddled, and its portrayal is rather shallow.
At this point, I am getting bored of “straight presenting”/non overtly queer filmmakers and actors using “gay” as pretty much awards bait and to tell mostly tragic or at least downbeat stories. They can be good. But they are often flat and dated. “Representation” and who should tell and inhabit what stories is a rather nuanced and complicated discussion. As nuanced and complicated as grief, body image, mental health, the gender, sexual, affection, romantic, emotion, commitment spectrum. While of course, nuanced and complicated discussions befuddle people, especially on social media and especially for the old-head trolls who posts here (not saying that you’re one of them). I do think Branum’s POV is basic, but it also has merit.
BEARY FLINTSTONE
He sounds idiotic
JPP
Branum comes across as a jerk. First, he tries to make this all about him when he has nothing to do with it and is utterly irrelevant. After trying claim it’s about him he then acts offended his life is being used as a metaphor for somebody else’s pain. Mr. Branum: It’s not about you.
Then he comes up why someone like him should play the role because he’s gay and fat and Fraser isn’t gay and isn’t fat enough to make Branum happy.
Now, would people go see a film starring Fraser? Yes. Would they rush out to buy tickets to see Branum? No. Following his stupid advice the film would never get made.
And does he want this rule applied consistently so gay actors are no longer allowed to play straight roles? Branum really sounds like a two-bit actor desperate for roles and thinks he should have them, not because he has the acting talent or box office draw, but simply because he’s fat and gay. But was the character in the film also a jerk? If not I’m afraid Branum would still miss out on the part.
Mack
I guess according to him we shouldn’t have made Star Wars since we’re not battling galactic starcruisers currently either. It’s called ACTING. While I would like to see more LGBTQ actors starring in films, I can guarantee you I would be more apt to watch Whale with Fraser than I would with Branum, or Brokeback Mountain with Gyllenhaal and Ledger than I would Jim Parson and Neil Patrick Harris.
cuteguy
Omg, it is called acting for a reason. I think there should be a push for more openly lgbtq+ actors to play “straight” roles. This guy is a hypocrite. He says he doesn’t want to ruin Brendan Fraser’s comeback but that’s exactly what’s happening. Brendan is on course to win his first Oscar and it’s the lgbtq-+ community (well some) that are going to ruin it. Brendan was brave to tackle this role and subject matter.
Cam
Omg. Another of the right wing troll screenames is here to scream about the idea that maybe not every role in Hollywood be played by a straight actor.
TheMarc
Interesting…I’m gay, fat and black. Total dealbreakers in the southern city I live in for finding a meaningful relationship; even with other gay, fat black guys. Yet strangely, I want to see the film and can’t wait for it to shed light on the struggle of being fat in a sexual community that worships physical male perfection above all else. Because it truly is a unique scenario with it’s own unique pain that also falls along racial lines. I’ve consistently observed that fat, White or Hispanic guys get far more attention than I do in clubs, bars, etc.; but still far less than they’re more weight-attractive fellows. Can’t wait to see this film. Or I may watch it and find it to be complete rubbish. Who knows?
What’s actually interesting is this is yet another gay media hit piece on a LGBT-themed film. Mad cause your friends weren’t invited to play? I’m old enough to remember what a groundbreaking moment it was for Brokeback Mountain to play in theaters. Despite the advancements made since then, we’re still not that far away from it. So I’m NOT going to snub my nose at a gay film because a straight guy happens to be playing a gay guy. I’ve seen the work of some of the fat gay actors who complained about not being considered for the role and none of their talents match what I’ve seen in just tidbits of Fraser’s portrayal; much less have names that could carry the film and get it the attention it may deserve.
Cam
@TheMarc
You said “Mad cause your friends weren’t invited to play?”
Oooopsie, you said “YOUR” friends, not “OUR” friends. If you’re going to bring out an old screename like this, try not to use wording that makes it even more obvious you’re an outside troll on an LGBTQ site.
still_onthemark
OMG, it’s just like when Linus said “IF the Great Pumpkin gets here…”
Straight, right-wing, “outside” trolls are invading Queerty to write rather lengthy, imaginative comments about pretending to be gay, fat and black, with the usual nefarious right-wing goal of… um… encouraging gay people to see a gay-themed movie?
Why would right-wing trolls want to encourage gay people to see a gay-themed movie? And why does a (supposedly) gay guy want us to avoid seeing a gay-themed movie?
Kangol2
@TheMarc, I’m not sure what “Southern” city you’re in, but there’s organizations like ThaBigDawgs (had to check the spelling) which offer opportunities for Black/Blatino plus-sized, chub, bear, and big men to network and connect. I’m not sure if you’ve checked them out but they have a Facebook page, a Tumblr page, and more. Friends who live in the South have gone to events in different cities where they’ve met friendly, welcoming guys. (If you’re primarily interested in White men I think the White bear and Girth and Mirth-type organizations might be your best bet.)
TheMarc
@Cam, here you go with your same BS. Everyone who doesn’t agree with you as right wing troll. A straight conservative in disguise. And I didn’t use our “our” because I don’t know this guy and I’m referring to the fact that the writers of articles like this do. Grow up. I’ve definitely noticed how you’ve stalked my posts in the past. Not sure what you’re grievance is; but get a new schtick.
mf12345678
But wait! Daniel from Mean Girls also thought he was the authentically fat gay actor who should play the role. How are we supposed to decide now??? /sarcasm
Creamsicle
Brenden Frasier was about 300 lbs going into filming, which is still quite large. The fact that people are angry that he used prosthetics instead of endangering his health by gaining even more weight for tje sake of a film’s authenticity is seriously deranged. Do people want the next Two-Face actor to actually burn half his face and body with acid?
Being extremely obese IS harmful to health. There are Fat Activists online who want people to ignore what the majority of health and weight researchers have concluded consistently over a period of decades as the Obesity Epidemic continues and impacts younger people. Elder Millenials are hitting their 40s, and will very soon lose the benefit of youth to protect them against obesity-related chronic illnesses. Covid-19 taught us just how thinly our Healthcare system is stretched already.
Jim
I definitely want to see this film.
I want good actors to play a part and bring their talent to the table.
Their; weight, gender, race etc. is irrelevant.
Effectively telling the story is what is important
Cam
Then you would have no problem with Lupita Nyong’o playing Nancy Reagan? Or Rosie O’Donnell playing George Washington?
still_onthemark
@Cam:
Many of us are fans of live theatre. Casting like that is not uncommon in local repertory and off-off-Broadway stuff. Yeah it seems strange for about ten minutes and then the audience gets into it.
Although Alexander Hamilton really did have black ancestry, he wasn’t nearly as dark as any of the actors who have played him in “Hamilton.”
What is your actual GOAL here? Do you want us to avoid seeing this movie at all because Fraser isn’t gay? You seem quite tinfoil-hat frantic about it.
Bosch
@Cam
Those are the same type of arguments that racists give when they complain about the Little Mermaid’s skin colour. Don’t become like the enemy.
Cam
@Bosch
The difference being that there is no lack of white representation in Hollywood. And how convenient isn’t it, that they can screen out any LGBTQ actors for decades and the SECOND that audiences start asking for LGBTQ representation, they then turn around and scream that they SHOULDN’T be hired for……um……because it would be bigoted TO hire them.
No, doesn’t work.
Bosch
I feel like we’re focusing far too much on the external and aesthetic qualities of actors, instead of their ability to portray characters. So much dissatisfaction about the sexualities, skin colours, nationalities, body types, etc… We can’t fight bigotry with a different flavour of bigotry, that just doesn’t work.
Cam
This is the exact same argument people used against doing anything to repair historical discrimination. I.E. A company that ONLY hires white men, and the occasional woman (to be a secretary) should be allowed to, because to tell them they SHOULD hire other races, and allow women to have executive jobs would be “Just as bad as their racism”.
No, no it wouldn’t
BLAKENOW
Again another non-funny narcissist why don’t you sit down have your bagel donuts cookies cakes whatever it is you say you don’t need to stop eating in order to fit into society . And STFU and stop bitching about whoever gets the part it’s gay not gay .. This dude sounds like just another jealous asshole Will never be cast in as a lead in the movie ever. there needs to be a campaign against all this ridiculousness
Cam
OMG! The right wing troll brought FIVE screenames on here all to scream against LGBTQ people getting parts.
Sweetie, stop using your old screenames you make it too easy to spot you, and as always, your trolling is sad and weak.
LegionKeign
I’m a fat Gay man and I would rather watch Brendan Fraser than Daniel Franzese. Mr. Franzese just doesn’t have the acting range that Mr. Fraser does, it’s that simple.
And I’m sick and tired of normal weight folks thinking all fat folks are that way because we eat like eff’n pigs.
I got really fat because of illnesses. I’ve always been a big boy, but I was a solid dude until I got sick. My testosterone plummeted to 125 and because of fibromyalgia and an extreme case of neuropathy, I was in horrible pain all the time.
I couldn’t stand, sit or lie down for more than 15 to 20 minutes before the excruciating pain would set in.
I wasn’t an over eater, I just couldn’t do anything without it hurting. Slowly but surely I stopped doing all the things I loved that kept me fit, because it hurt too much.
I also developed psoriatic arthritis.
Some days my depression was so bad I didn’t think I was going to be able to cope anymore.
Then after 10 years of hell I finally found a doctor who actually listened to me, had test done and has helped me.
My point is, folks shouldn’t just assume because someone is fat that they are that way because they overeat or eat nasty foods all the time. Sometimes it is a medical condition.
superashby99
Hope your doing better.
wiggie
Today is Oct 1st. This film does not even come out until Dec 2nd. All of this whining is pretty much pathetic at this point.
Cam
Except the topic of the conversation isn’t about whether or not the film was good, it was about the casting and subject.
Bromancer7
Oh look, another fat gay “actor” bitching about not being cast in a role none of them could handle because they’re all D-list or lower. YAWN.
Cam
And they’re on the “D List” because for decades Hollywood would not allow an openly gay actor, a fat actor, etc. to be hired.
How convenient. kinda reminds me of those companies that claimed they didn’t have Black people working there because no qualified Black people were out there.