Brendan Fraser & Samuel D. Hunter discuss "The Whale"

Conversation with actor Brendan Fraser and writer Samuel D. Hunter following a screening of The Whale. Moderated by Jenelle Riley.
From director Darren Aronofsky comes The Whale, the story of a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption. Starring Brendan Fraser and based on the acclaimed play by Samuel D. Hunter.
Subscribe to the Hammer Museum's channel:
/ @hammermuseumlosangeles

[@jevinday]

So this nonprofit got the screenwriter and lead actor to do an interview after an early screening of the movie? This is amazing! The insight into how this film was made is second to none. I knew that Sam Hunter wrote this based off of some of his experiences but I had no idea how much he actually based this play off of. This is some seriously great journalism.

[@OpheliaDarkling]

I love it when actors give praise to or shed light on those who help really bring a film to life i.e. cinematographer creating 'emotional landscapes' with all the nuances of weather and angles--too many actors get stuck in their own heads when talking about the film or their 'process'. A lovely conversation and a lovely guy & Hunter's story and personal input into the storyline just makes it so much more real. Well done and I hope they get all the awards and credit they truly deserve. So great to see Brendan really shining. Been a fan for 30 years and love seeing this happen with fellow Gen Xers. Long time coming.

[@BrandonHepler]

"After all these years, at last I have truly become the Whale."
I cried at that line.

[@elaineproffitt1032]

You would not have done anything like Sam did. Bravo - the movie was beautiful!! Please make more!

[@jorf9924]

fantastic fantastic interview

[@sarahallenhumboldt2638]

Thank you, Jenelle Riley, for your interviewing; you asked some thought provoking questions. You may wish to consider toning down your laughter if you do interviews in the future; you came across as highly strung, stressed out, and even slightly hysterical at a few of the loudest moment of laughter.

[@scoon2117]

One of the greatest movies i have ever seen. Too much talent,makes my eyes bleed.

[@Jays-ug9bd]

I went thru Aronofkys filmography after viewing the Whale, and despite him having some undeniably incredible work (second favorite being The Wrestler, third Black Swan then Pi) the Whale is by far his best work yet. Maybe not his most daring or innovative stuff, but the Whale touched me in a certain way that i felt very deeply, despite me not even having a lot in common with charlie. It had one of the best endings ive seen in a long time and maybe that ive ever seen. So i was VERY SURPRISED when i went to view rankings of his films online and saw many of them ranking the whale close to last in the filmography… like i don’t understand..

[@godandsarah1306]

Maybe it's too good for hollywood

[@Jays-ug9bd]

@godandsarah1306 absolutely !

[@djdollase]

This is so great an interview. And I could be wrong but Jenelle the interviewer used to be a lot heavier as I remembered seeing her interviews of well-known actors for SAG-AFTRA talk backs/interviews.

[@parubok90]

25:40 that was hilarious and heartwarming at the same time ! Abdoulaye is the man !

[@ifyouonlyknew811]

"The choices life made for him".
So, Charlie didn't choose to abandon his wife and daughter for a guy?
He didn't choose to be gay?
He didn't choose to order those pizzas?
He didn't choose to eat those meatball sandwiches and fried chicken?
No wonder Brendan can't accept responsibility for any of his own life's choices.

[@sfullernj]

The movie was brilliant. Saw in the cinema yesterday. Last scene I was desperately trying not to completely blubber as there were young people in the cinema that might laugh at me 🤗 seriously great movie

[@basil33]

Me too! I knew I was sad and she’d a few tears throughout the movie but I don’t understand why I was sobbing at the end! I was sad and figured it would end that way but something about the way it played out got me bawling

[@Jays-ug9bd]

@@basil33 its because of the way they intentionally never let the viewer see charlie stand up the whole movie, so when he did, going as far as to walk, it was insanely powerful. And it was all because of his daughter and his love for her that he had the power and ability to do so. So having that happen before he ascended was like watching a blind persons reaction to seeing the world for the first time. Thats the only way i can describe it.