Brendan Fraser’sThe Whalecharacter is the “most emotionally demanding” of any film he’s ever taken on.
“His emotional world is, for all of that sadness he carries, an intensely optimistic one at the same time, because he sees in his students the capacity to be the best that they can,” Fraser says in the clip. “Charlie can see the good in others, but he can’t see it in himself, sadly.”
The WhalescreenwriterSamuel D. Hunteradds that Fraser “from moment one had that bright light, that humanity, that faith,” while filming the movie.
“Even in the darkest moments you still see the big heart of a human being at the center of it,” Hunter says of Fraser’s performance, whichwon him his first Oscar on Sunday night. (Thefilm also wonBest Makeup & Hairstyling.)
Brendan Fraser.Kevin Winter/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Elsewhere in the clip, Fraser says Charlie “is the most emotionally demanding character I’ve ever seen on paper.”
“To play him I knew it would take everything I’ve got,” he says.
DirectorDarren Aronofskysays in the clip that it was apparent to him that Fraser “wanted a challenge” with the part, for which the actor also won aScreen Actors Guild AwardandCritics Choice Award, among other nominations.
Taylor Hill/WireImage
At the Palm Springs International Film Awards in January, Fraser told PEOPLE that thepraiseThe Whalehas receivedhas been “gratifying” and “eye-opening.”
“That’s gratifying, to say at least, and that kind of opportunity does not come along in this circus show of show business that we all play along with sometimes,” Fraser said. “But when it does, andit’s material that’s handled with careand the project comports itself in a way that’s interesting and important, I feel very fortunate and lucky to be a part of it.”
The Whaleis now available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital.
source: people.com
