‘The Whale’ star Brendan Fraser delivers an emotional speech at the Critics Choice Awards after winning Best Actor

Brendan Fraser was recognized at the Critics Choice Awards for his work as Best Actor The whale and gave one of the most emotional speeches of the evening.

Fraser began to cry when his name was announced as the winner, citing the stage that Herman Melville “once wrote that in America there are only five critics, the rest are asleep”. While the actor said he wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, he said he was “happy”. [the critics] woke up for me.”

He continued: “This movie, The whale, it’s about love, it’s about redemption. It’s about finding the light in a dark place and I’m so lucky to have worked with an incredible cast.”

Fraser then recognized his co-stars calling Hong Chau and said she “should have her own movie based on every character she’s ever played.” Sadie Sink also got a shoutout, noting that she was “amazing.” Fraser called Sam Hunter his “lighthouse” and said Ty Simpkins “won the game every day”.

“Darren Aronofsky, I was in the wild and must have left a trail of breadcrumbs, but you found me,” he added. “And like all the best directors, you just showed me where I needed to go to get where I needed to be.”

Fraser concluded his speech with a powerful message: “If you, like a guy like Charlie, who I played in this film, are struggling with obesity in any way, or you just feel like you’re in a dark sea. I want you to know this, if you too can have the strength to just get up and go to the light. Good things will happen.”

As the actor went backstage, he said the award “means more than words can say,” adding that making the film was “an act of faith.” We all approached this piece as if it was the first and last time we’d ever get a chance to do this kind of work … I think there’s a lot of good that can be done with this film.”

Katie Campione contributed to this report.