You Couldn’t Write a Better Script

 

You Couldn’t Write a Better Story

Hollywood is full of stories of egotistical tyrants, power-hungry studio executives, aloof, icy divas, and entitled stars refusing to mix with the ‘common people.’ But every now and then, a story comes out of the movie business that could be a great film script itself. 

Such a story appeared recently concerning the actor Brendan Fraser. For those that don’t know who the actor is, he was extremely famous in the 90s. He was the star of the popular Mummy movies, Blast from the Past, Encino Man and George of the Jungle. He was a well-regarded, decent man in Hollywood, but he made the mistake of doing what was right, and his career paid for his error. 

He was sexually attacked by a very powerful individual in the movie business, and when he went public with what had happened, the industry turned its back on him. He also suffered chronic injuries doing the stunts required in his movies and underwent numerous surgeries. 

To add to his troubles, he was divorced by his then-wife, and she was awarded an excessive amount of alimony and child support, which he wasn’t able to pay. After going into debt, working through the injuries, and taking whatever roles were offered, some fans in the movie business never forgot about him, and they kept his name alive. He would pop up in several roles, and a new generation of fans started recognizing him and appreciating his performances. 

He landed a leading role in The Whale, a modern psychological drama by director Darren Aronofsky. Fraser delivered a performance that earned him a six-minute standing ovation at the recent Venice Film Festival, and he’s being considered for an Oscar.

His struggles and final satisfying result justify the determination of this gentle and kind actor to do what was right, no matter the cost.