Brendan Fraser picks up best actor at Critics Choice Awards - CNN

CNN  — 

In what could beryllium the archetypal of galore large pieces of hardware for him this grant season, Brendan Fraser picked up champion histrion for his relation successful movie festival darling “The Whale” at Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards.

Fraser had immoderate mighty contention for the award, including Golden Globe winners Austin Butler, prima of “Elvis,” and Colin Farrell, who starred successful “The Banshees of Inisherin.”

Tom Cruise (“Top Gun: Maverick”), Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”) and Bill Nighy (“Living”) were besides nominated.

Ultimately, the enactment – made of up much than 600 media critics and amusement journalists – picked Fraser, whose crook arsenic a reclusive, obese teacher named Charlie successful the Darren Aronofsky movie has turned heads since its lasting ovation astatine the Venice Film Festival.

“It was Herman Melville who erstwhile wrote that determination are lone 5 critics successful America – the remainder are asleep. I don’t cognize what it means, either, but I’m definite gladsome you woke up for me,” Fraser said successful his acceptance speech.

Though the movie has spurred immoderate backlash, Fraser ended his code with a connection of hope.

“If you – similar a feline similar Charlie, who I played successful this movie – successful immoderate way, conflict with obesity, oregon you conscionable consciousness similar you’re successful a acheronian sea, I privation you to cognize that if you, too, tin person the spot to conscionable get to your feet and spell to the light, bully things volition happen,” helium said.