The Mummy Returns – The Enduring Appeal of Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser has been entertaining audiences for almost three decades, which may surprise readers. He largely disappeared from the limelight for several years; partly due to multiple injuries and depression resulting from his sexual assault in 2003. Side-lined to forgettable low-budget fare and generally only mentioned regarding his change in appearance (he is no longer a burly action star), it did not seem like a return to fame was on the cards. Yet all this changed a couple of years ago when an interview dubbed ‘Sad Brendan’ went viral and a campaign was launched to revive the actor’s career. Now emerging as a wonderful character actor, audiences are welcoming a television comeback. With Danny Boyle’s Trust having just premiered in the UK on BBC 2, it seems a fitting time to look back on the once-Hollywood A-lister’s career as a reminder of his under-appreciated talent.

Fraser plays a swaggering, Stetson-adorned fixer on Trust, described as a ‘time traveller’ of sorts by the series’ creators. This idea could be applied to the actor himself; whether swinging around the jungle wilderness or battling mummies in the 1920s, he materializes in different periods to provide a good old dose of timeless adventure. Known mostly for his handsomeness and goofy persona, his talent has often been overlooked by critics and audiences alike. Boyle himself expressed a desire to see him onscreen again, a fan of Fraser’s George of the Jungle – ‘He’s a proper good actor, beneath that silliness.’ (IndieWire, 2018).

His breakthrough role as a caveman in modern-day LA in cult comedy Encino Man isn’t the greatest cinematic achievement, but it established a firm place for Fraser in the 90s with his knack for physical comedy. Beyond his abundant energy and eagerness to throw himself around film sets, he possesses a certain sincerity that he brings to every character. His clueless George is an ideal protagonist – strong, affectionate and in touch with his emotions. It is a silly film but contains an intriguing feature; one apparent through much of his work. He is the subject of the lesser-seen ‘female gaze’. Admired both physically and emotionally, he exhibits both masculine and feminine traits, making him an easily relatable love interest. Similarly with the naïve Adam Webber in Blast from the Past (1999), he is a completely appealing partner for Alicia Silverstone. Unaccustomed to and unfazed by the burdens of modern life, he presents a refreshingly optimistic outlook. Adam is wholly honest and deserving of affection. We root for Fraser’s hero to triumph over the toxic masculinity exhibited by rival male characters in many of his films, such as Thomas Hayden Church’s chauvinist in George of the Jungle. Even the

Devil sympathises with his lonesome dork in the 2002 remake of Bedazzled. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it is worth noting that Fraser’s sincerity and comic timing carries the story. While colleagues mock his geek for trying too hard to impress, he plays the part with just enough heart to combat the character’s frantic enthusiasm. The Devil grants him seven wishes to win over a girl. Transforming from Colombian drug lord to blockhead basketball player to sophisticated author, Fraser brings warmth to even the most frivolous of characters. The various elaborate situations the actor is placed in are elevated to separate worlds. Fraser turns these people into characters rather than simple caricatures. He inhabits the roles with considerable range, switching from dopey to suave in an instant and makes these worlds feel lived in, if only for a moment.

It is this authenticity that earned him A-lister status. There are many actors who can act kooky and do slapstick; there are only a few who can make it convincing and empathetic. This is what endeared him to so many fans and encouraged directors to give him a chance to try different things. He is remembered most as daring adventurer Rick O’Connell from The Mummy or the childlike George of the Jungle. What goes unnoticed are his rare dramatic turns. In Gods and Monsters, it is his rugged good looks which initially captures the attention of Frankenstein director James Whale, but it is the truth in his eyes which sparks a friendship between the pair. It is a subdued, soulful performance of a man longing to be understood; taken seriously by a world to which he doesn’t quite belong. Even when playing an antagonist, such as that of the CIA operative in The Quiet American, there is something to make the audience doubt the character’s culpability. It could be because we remember Fraser as Rick O’Connell, or it could be because there is a certain sadness on his face. His quiet, calming demeanour conflicting with his dubious morals. It is an entirely unexpected role for the actor, and one where his amiable persona greatly complicates our perception of the character. He is the villain but he truly believes he is doing the right thing.

It is this sincerity that is key to Fraser’s comeback. Entering the world of Trust – rampant with hedonistic pleasures and suspect morals – Fraser acts as our moral guide. The role encompasses all of which made him a star so long ago. Charismatic and serious while also a noble fool. There is a certain reliability with Brendan Fraser that makes his return to the screen greatly appreciated. He asks us to believe in his ability – he asks for our trust.