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Amber Moore, Assistant Professor of Teaching in Language & Literacy Education , University of British Columbia

'The Whale': Viewers need to examine how teens are represented in the Oscar-winning film

Charlie Brendan Fraser Ellie Sadie Sink Thomas Ty Simpkins Sadie Sink

This story contains spoilers about The Whale.

The Whale, which claimed Oscar wins in 2023 including for Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actress, is now on Amazon Prime in Canada. Those who are catching up on award winners from this year could consider it for holiday viewing.

When the film was released, much popular commentary focused on treatment of the main protagonist in the film, Charlie (Brendan Fraser), and how the framing of his fatness is likely to harm fat people and seems one-dimensional, rendering him a symbol in a way that dehumanizes him.

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