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Brendan Fraser on “The Whale” and Drawing Inspiration From John Candy| Fly on the Wall

January 18, 2023 / 03:54

This episode features a discussion on the character development process, makeup design, and emotional depth in film. Key topics include the portrayal of obesity in cinema, the use of practical effects versus CGI, and the impact of character authenticity.

The conversation begins with the guest reflecting on their first makeup test for a character, highlighting the work of designer Adrian Moreau. They share their initial reactions and the significance of embodying a character that will be remembered for a lifetime.

The guest compares their role to past performances by actors like Dom DeLuise and John Candy, noting the emotional sensitivity required to portray a character living in a larger body. They emphasize the importance of authenticity in acting and how it affects audience perception.

They also discuss the challenges of using practical makeup effects, mentioning the heavy suit they wore and the need for it to obey the laws of physics. The guest reflects on the emotional moments in the film, particularly a scene involving their character's relationship with their daughter.

The episode concludes with a poignant discussion about the strength of love and the lengths one will go to for family, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

TL;DR

The episode discusses character development, makeup design, and emotional storytelling in film, focusing on obesity representation and authenticity.

Video

00:00:00
well good is good I I'm wondering when
00:00:02
the first time you did the makeup test
00:00:04
and you became the character and when
00:00:07
you looked in the mirror you know
00:00:08
obviously the thing is just start to go
00:00:10
what was your reaction was it emotional
00:00:12
almost it was actually funny you should
00:00:14
ask yes I think before well the first
00:00:16
time the first test was at the protozoa
00:00:18
offices and Adrian Moreau is the
00:00:20
designer of this movie he's brilliant
00:00:21
and
00:00:23
um getting into it for the first time it
00:00:26
was a big labor to get all the parts of
00:00:28
Montreal and all that
00:00:29
and
00:00:30
Derek looked over my shoulder and he
00:00:33
said
00:00:34
for the rest of your life
00:00:38
what is happening that's what I thought
00:00:40
what's that mean and then I thought I
00:00:42
know what you mean actually because you
00:00:44
can't really Divorce Yourself from me
00:00:47
creating this character for better or
00:00:49
worse or people remember it yes you can
00:00:52
be remembered for something for the rest
00:00:53
of your life for any number of reasons
00:00:54
well there's never been a movie that
00:00:56
explored people suffer from obesity not
00:00:59
in this way no I was I thought about
00:01:01
this long and hard I I remember this way
00:01:03
yeah the closest I could think of and
00:01:05
this might be reaching for it was Dom
00:01:07
DeLuise in Fatso oh interesting comedy
00:01:11
from the 80s right or 70s it was really
00:01:14
emotional too yeah and and I I brought I
00:01:17
drew inspiration from John Candy in
00:01:19
Planes Trains and Automobiles yeah you
00:01:21
recall when they were in he was deriding
00:01:24
him and he says go ahead you can I'm a
00:01:26
big guy you take a shot at me yeah but I
00:01:28
like me my wife likes me I'm good enough
00:01:32
I mean and he looked like he was going
00:01:33
to crack in that moment he was and that
00:01:35
was a beautiful piece of acting right
00:01:37
there I don't think we've seen that kind
00:01:39
of sensitivity attached yeah owning who
00:01:41
you are when you live in a larger body
00:01:42
like that yeah and I I love that he was
00:01:45
a college professor you know and and
00:01:47
there was a heartache always underneath
00:01:50
almost the entire it was just there you
00:01:52
didn't have to play it even you were
00:01:54
being light like you're being light with
00:01:56
everyone you're saying I'm sorry and but
00:01:58
you know what I was all in really your
00:01:59
face so the suit kind of uh goes away
00:02:02
everywhere because you're just watching
00:02:03
you to see what's up because in absence
00:02:05
of it you know being a success with our
00:02:08
finely tuned brand seeing makeups versus
00:02:10
CGI creations and you can tell that
00:02:12
where the dotted lines are and you
00:02:14
automatically go you have to make a
00:02:16
decision about suspension of belief I'll
00:02:18
let that one slide and but with this it
00:02:21
was a straight ahead
00:02:22
analog makeup yeah with the exception of
00:02:25
maybe a light um digital Curative if
00:02:28
like a piece of fabric on your shirt it
00:02:30
was acting up in its own movie or
00:02:31
whatever that would fix that later or
00:02:32
there was a scene when on the bib sort
00:02:34
of shape or the collar when Charlie goes
00:02:36
down the hallway you go to bed he takes
00:02:37
his shirt off before and
00:02:40
you know anyway that that was the full
00:02:42
suit was very heavy and
00:02:44
um
00:02:44
you know anyway apart from that what you
00:02:46
see was what you got but if it didn't
00:02:48
work there was no movie and the rule was
00:02:51
this is a makeup and costume that will
00:02:55
obey the laws of physics and gravity
00:02:57
it um it will not be what we've seen so
00:03:03
frequently which is uh a foam light foam
00:03:08
Halloween costume kind of silhouette
00:03:10
that an athletic actor wears and you
00:03:12
sort of defy gravity and bounce around
00:03:13
the way and yeah you know I mean that's
00:03:15
that's a different movie it's a
00:03:16
different genre I have mixed feelings
00:03:17
about what's funny about that and what's
00:03:19
not no you look like it was very
00:03:21
belabored to do anything that guy was
00:03:24
Ill he was not well and you really I
00:03:26
mean when you were wheezing and and you
00:03:29
know I felt suffocated you know I was
00:03:32
really and when he the heroic moment
00:03:35
with his daughter where he's I don't
00:03:37
know I don't want to give away the
00:03:37
ending but when he gets up that was just
00:03:39
that put me in a puddle of Tears I'm I'm
00:03:42
feeling it right it's having the
00:03:43
strength to get to your feet yeah and do
00:03:46
what you need someone who loves his
00:03:47
daughter so much and it's impossible and
00:03:50
he's going to do it anyway

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 85
    Most heartbreaking
  • 80
    Most heartwarming
  • 80
    Best performance
  • 75
    Most emotional

Episode Highlights

  • The Emotional Makeup Test
    The first makeup test was a transformative experience, blending humor and emotion.
    “What was your reaction? Was it emotional?”
    @ 00m 10s
    January 18, 2023
  • A Unique Exploration of Obesity
    This film uniquely addresses obesity, unlike any other movie before it.
    “There's never been a movie that explored people suffering from obesity like this.”
    @ 00m 54s
    January 18, 2023
  • The Power of Love
    A poignant moment where a father finds strength for his daughter, despite the odds.
    “It's having the strength to get to your feet and do what you need.”
    @ 03m 46s
    January 18, 2023

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Makeup Test00:02
  • Character Transformation00:04
  • Emotional Reflection00:10
  • Inspiration from Icons01:17
  • Heartfelt Acting01:39
  • Father-Daughter Bond03:47

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown

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