Part 6/9:
"The Whale," featuring Brendan Fraser, faced accusations of insensitivity toward individuals living with obesity. While Fraser’s performance was applauded, the film was critiqued for portraying its central character in ways that seemed to reinforce negative stereotypes. The discussion around casting choices highlighted deeper societal issues regarding representation in media and prompted dialogues about the responsibility filmmakers have in their portrayals.
Director Darren Aronofsky defended the film's approach, arguing that it offers an exploration of complexity in human experience, rather than a monolithic portrayal of obesity. Nonetheless, discussions about representation continue to resonate in the film industry, emphasizing the need for authentic voices in storytelling.