Brendan Fraserhas won best actor at the 2023Critics Choice Awards.
The Whalestar, 54, beat outAustin Butler(Elvis),Tom Cruise(Top Gun: Maverick),Colin Farrell(The Banshees of Inisherin),Paul Mescal(Aftersun) andBill Nighy(Living) to clinch the victory.
At the start of his emotional acceptance speech, Fraser thanked the Critics Choice Association, then joked, “It was Herman Melville who once wrote that there are only five critics in America — the rest are asleep. I don’t know what it means, either, but I’m sure glad you woke up for me. Where were you forFurry Vengeance?!”, calling out his 2010 comedy costarring Brooke Shields andKen Jeong.
He went on to describeThe Whaleas a film “about love,” adding, “It’s about redemption. It’s about finding the light in a dark place, and I’m so lucky to have worked with an ensemble that is incredible,” includingHong Chau,Sadie Sink,Ty Simpkinsand playwright/screenwriterSamuel D. Hunter.
Brendan Fraser.Kevin Winter/Getty
“AndDarren Aronofsky, I was in the wilderness — and I probably should’ve left a trail of breadcrumbs — but you found me, and like all the best directors, you merely just showed me where to go to get me where I needed to be,” Fraser said.
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He concluded, through tears, “If you — like Charlie, who I played in this movie — in any way, struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you’re in a dark sea, I want you to know that if you, too, can have the strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen.”
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Brendan Fraser.Monica Schipper/WireImage
Fraser’s commitmenttoThe Whale, in which he playsa 600-lb. man who reckons with the limits of his reclusive life over a period of five days, has earned him multiple award nods, including aGolden Globenomination.
On Jan. 5, Fraser — who makes a triumphant return to the big screen withThe Whale— received the Spotlight Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards. He has also enjoyed multiple-minute standing ovations at film festivals.
He added, “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.”
“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,” Fraser said.
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Everything Everywhere All at Onceleads the pack at Sunday’s ceremonywith 14 nominations overall, including a best actress nomination forMichelle Yeohandbest supporting actor winfor Ke Huy Quan.
“This recognition comes from a diverse group of more than 600 critics and entertainment reporters who share their opinions about film and television with millions of people every day, all year long,” CCA executive Joey Berlin said in a statement last month.
He added, “Our collective opinion about the year’s finest achievements is truly meaningful to the creative community.”
The 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards are currently airing live on The CW.
source: people.com
