King of Hollywood

"Perform all aspects of a character to the extreme, this is the meaning of an actor, the following are nominated for Best Actor in this year's Oscars." When Natalie in a purple dress said these things with a smile on the stage , the faces of the candidates appeared in turn on the big screen next to them and introduced them.

Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote, David Strathairn in Good Night and Good Luck, Adrien Brody in The Pianist, Hurry Up Terrence Howard of , and Viggo Mortensen of A History of Violence. While people were whispering and making final guesses, Natalie had already opened the envelope: "The Oscar winner is Adrien Brody!"

Immediately, applause and the soundtrack of "The Pianist" rang out. Brody held his hands in front of him, as if he couldn't believe it, but he immediately stood up and shook hands with his friends to congratulate him, and even hugged Adrian.

"Thank you, Mr. Cowell." He said excitedly.

"You deserve it." Adrian patted him on the shoulder and glanced around at the same time. He couldn't help but want to laugh in his heart. This must have disappointed many people.

Brody's winning the best actor means that there will be no shortage of "The Pianist". Don't forget what Brody's name is. Although these are somewhat idealistic, don't forget that there are not many atheists here.

"How do you feel, are you ready?" Adrian asked with a smile after Brody finished his speech and Natalie came down with him.

Natalie was visibly nervous, but still looked at the above and replied in a barely calm tone: "I'm waiting."

"Then watch carefully." Adrian said leisurely.

However, even though he said so, his heart was not calm. After all, what he was going to do was something that had never happened before in the history of Oscar, and the slogan "a girl from the Holy City, with both wisdom and beauty" would certainly be received. The support of many people, but at the same time will lose the votes of many people, so whether the final result will be as I thought. He wasn't 100% sure.

At this time, Stuart above finished his description, and Rui Fan, who looked very handsome in a suit, had already walked up: "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening, I know, everyone is very anxious at this time of year, like I did that last year. So I try to speed up the time a bit, and the Oscar nominations are as follows—”

As before, the screens began to play clips from the films of the nominees, starting with Judi Dench's... Notes on a Scandal.

Frankly speaking, Adrian was surprised when he got the nomination list. He remembered that Judi Dench should be nominated by "Mrs. Henderson's Gift". However, she did get nominated for "Notes on a Scandal", but that should be next year. Adrian moved the film forward out of consideration for Blanchett, but she did not expect that Judi Dench would use this film Nominated for Best Actress.

It stands to reason that if she really wants to win an award, she should choose "Mrs. Henderson's Gift". After all, this year is the 60th anniversary of the victory of World War II, and the second half of this movie has a lot of plots about German bombing. But then again. Compared with Judi Dench's previous roles, the heroine of "Scandal Notes" is a bit unusual. This is a villain protagonist. It is easy to impress people among the inspirational nominees, and it may have a miraculous effect.

Of course, the character isn't all that flawless, anyway. She was always—well, Judi Dench's thoughts didn't need Adrian's attention, let alone... so he just thought about it and continued to pay attention to the next picture. The remaining four nominations were all for his women—Keira probably didn't count, but no one cared, did they? Not to mention the time is coming.

The second one appeared was the shot of Kate in "The Wind and Cloud of the North". She was dressed in dirty clothes only for miners, with disheveled hair and loudly satirized the timid people around her. The camera rotated 270 degrees with her to match With angry language, it seems very tense. Frankly speaking, her current acting skills are much better than those in another time and space.

Next is Keira in Pride and Prejudice, an excerpt of Elizabeth berating Darcy on a rainy day. Keira's acting skills in this scene are not particularly brilliant, but her continuous and cadenced Cockney accent makes her It looks very cute. Adrian couldn't help but look at where she was sitting, and it happened that Keira also looked over. Although he didn't dare to make too many expressions because the camera was facing him, he still made a face that only he could see. At the same time, the left hand placed under the right hand was slightly clenched into a fist, and swung from side to side, she was really good at teasing.

The fourth one is Nicole from "Across America". Su is very ordinary in the selected clips, but she highlights her acting skills. She specially practiced speaking in a low voice for a period of time for this movie, and also met several transgender people. Observation Many details of their lives are included in the movie, plus makeup, if you don't look carefully, you really can't tell that this is the famous Nicole Kidman. Unfortunately, because of her big belly, she found an excuse not to be there, and what was on the screen was just a photo.

Natalie is the last to appear on the stage, and the selected clip is the final waking appearance, a messy room, from shallow to deep, people gradually change from fierce to confused to frightened, and finally squat down and hug each other in fear Sobbing softly, quite layered, the appeal erupted instantly.

Then, Rui Fan opened the envelope: "The Oscar winner is Natalie Portman!"

After he announced his name, there was at least two seconds of silence at the scene, followed by an uproar mixed with applause.

"Do you remember what I said?" Adrian applauded calmly, while Natalie pursed her lips, trembling slightly while clutching the armrest, as if she couldn't believe it at all.

But she finally stood up steadily, hugged Adrian, and walked quickly onto the stage.

"...Thank you, at this moment, all I can think of is this word," Natalie said with a trembling voice after taking over the statuette from Rui Fan, "I never thought it would be like this Standing here again so soon, I never thought I would lift the trophy again so soon, I never... I just want to say, thank you Mr. Adrian Cowell, it's you It was you who discovered me, and it was you who guided me, allowing me to step up to the stage and stand here. Thank you very much, I will definitely go on better..."

Her uncharacteristic performance made Adrian raise his eyebrows. If the relationship between her and him in the media was mostly described in a speculative tone, then after this award speech, they can replace it with a positive one. tone up. It's fine if it's just like this, his last words are obviously reminding him not to forget his promise to her.

The last struggle? Adrian smiled and didn't care. After she thanked a lot of people and came down amid applause, she opened her arms and hugged Natalie again.

"A touching speech, very beautiful." He whispered to her with a smile, not caring that the camera was facing him.

"I just want to say...I just want to say...these are...my sincere words." Natalie brushed the hair beside her ears, her eyelids drooped and she didn't dare to look at him.

Adrian didn't care at all, and kept his eyes on the stage, and put his index finger to his mouth and "hush": "Okay, I'll talk about what I have to say later, and now the most critical moment is coming."

Compared to just now, he is now in a much lighter mood. Natalie's Best Actress might have a comeback, but this one definitely won't.

"The five directors chose realistic themes without exception. Now let's take a look at the nominations." The award presenter Tom Hanks was already standing on the stage, and a few minutes later he read out his name: "Adrian ? Cowell!"

Applause, warm applause, deafening applause, when Adrian stood up with a smile, everyone in the audience also stood up. Even though quite a few of them are not convinced, there is nothing they can do. After the list is announced, there is no possibility of any changes. Adrian's record-breaking three consecutive wins for best director is already a fact that will be recorded in Oscar history, plus Natalie's previous win for best actress. Brody took away the best actor, and the Film Academy has confirmed his status in Hollywood with practical actions. So no matter what, at this moment, you must watch him ascend the throne with a humble attitude.

"Congratulations, Ed, you are truly unparalleled." Hanks said sincerely after handing the statuette to Adrian.

"Thank you, Tommy." Adrian nodded, took the trophy and stood in front of the microphone, then glanced at the audience, smiled slightly, raised his hand and raised his hand, thanking again: "Thank you!"

There is no reserve, no complacency, no pride, no conceit, only—— of course!

That's right, starting from the production of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, he has prepared for this day for almost 7 years. During this period, he has experienced countless things. Looking back, even he himself is a little surprised. After spending so much effort, using so much energy, and trying every means to take advantage of the situation, why can't we take it for granted?

Some people may think it's unfair. It won the best director for three consecutive years. Even if it bought the film school, or made a behind-the-scenes deal, it is impossible to do this. Adrian must have superpowers and hypnotized all the film schools. Members who can vote. Of course, they will never know what it means to take advantage of the trend. The so-called historical trend is mighty, and if you go with it, you will prosper and you will perish if you go against it. They are talking about the importance of the trend. Only a fool will believe that as long as the movie is good enough, it will be fine.

Being able to take advantage of the situation, even the high mountains can be shaken, and Adrian just happened to use his foresight to firmly grasp this situation in his hands. First, the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy kept running against the film academy, nominated every year and praised by everyone, coupled with the huge popularity of "Lord of the Rings" itself, and the academy itself seeking innovation and change, and he won several awards last time. It happened a year ago, so I won the first best director award.

Then, borrowing from the increasingly vigorous gay movement in the early 21st century, especially Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay marriage in 2004, which further stimulated the development of various gay organizations. Against the backdrop of this massive social movement "Brokeback Mountain" was launched next, and at the same time, a series of methods were used, and in exchange for giving up the best film, he won the second best director.

Needless to say, the Holocaust, the 60th anniversary of the victory of World War II, the merciless fire on European films, the clear-cut stand on the side of Hollywood, and the transactions of various internal forces, won the third seat without difficulty. .

As long as this order is slightly reversed, it is impossible to be as successful as it is, especially before and after "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Pianist", which are very particular, so Adrian is most worried about the gains and losses of the second best director. He also won the best director for "Brokeback Mountain" again. When it comes to "The Pianist", it is still given, and it is given if it is not given, not to mention there is a deal.

This is the power of momentum, of course, in addition to this, other factors are also very important. For example, the quality of the basic film must pass the test, otherwise the previous ones are just castles in the air. Or Adrian pursued the award for best director instead of best film, and repeatedly assured the academy that he would never seek best director again after this time.

Although best film is the highest honor for a filmmaker, this award is not awarded to the director like the Palme d'Or, but to the production company, and three consecutive best films are no more than three consecutive best directors. More famous, and more likely to be hated. As for no longer seeking the best director, they have already won the best director four times. How much more do you want? John? Ford only took four times.

Some people may say that it has already reached this point. Wouldn't it be better to take it again, the unprecedented person who has won five best directors in the history of Oscars? Of course it’s not good, if it’s decades later, when you’re old, maybe Adrian will think about it this way, but it’s absolutely not right now, the so-called wood that looks better than forest wind will destroy it. If it only came out a little, then naturally there would be no problem, but if it came out too much. It is easy to be blown down by the wind.

So what if John Ford's record was tied? Just because he won the best director three times in a row, Adrian is already unique, and it doesn't matter how much work he spent on this moment. And based on his understanding of the film academy, after this, there will definitely be an agreement made internally in private, and there will be no next best director who won three consecutive times.

So, why couldn't he take this third statuette for granted.

"This is an unparalleled honor, thank you all, and I will always remember it in my heart." After Adrian finished his speech, he raised the trophy and raised it again. Then he bowed slightly, and warm applause rang out again.

After that, needless to say, in exchange, "Capote" won the best picture, and the 78th Oscars came to an end.

As for the Vanity Fair party later on, there was nothing to say. Adrian never missed it every time, so he naturally participated this time. However, the problem is that, as the newly released best director who has won three times in a row, countless people at the party that night came over to say hello and talk to him, whether they were familiar or unfamiliar, so that his woman could not find him alone. The opportunity to chat, some reserved items can only be given up.

The only catch was that Philip Seymour Hoffman agreed that if the role was suitable, he would be willing to play the leading role in the movie recommended by Adrian, whether he directed it or not.

It has been 2006, and the stage version of "Suspicion of Child Abuse", which was abandoned at the beginning, was staged on Broadway in New York without accident, and won the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award. Some things are still developing according to the established laws. Regarding this, Adrian, who was paying attention, naturally got the adaptation right at the first time. Natalie can't use it, but it doesn't mean that others can't use it either. Although he can relax and rest completely now, he still has to think about the women. , isn't it?

And Philip Seymour Hoffman played the priest in the original version, so Adrian didn't bother to find someone else, so he compensated him by the way. After all, Hoffman should have won the Best Actor in this year's Oscars. Unfortunately, because of Adrian's intervention, the gay character has already won the Best Actor once before, and Brody's competitiveness is because he is Jewish. , and a series of factors this year have become particularly strong, which eventually led to his defeat.

This can not only sell personal feelings, but also maintain the standard of the movie, why not do it?

Although I couldn't make out with Kate and the others at the party, the show that night was still indispensable. Although Natalie was also surrounded by a large group of people because she won the best actress again, she couldn't talk to Adrian, but in the end she still secretly He got into the RV he was going to have at the back door.

As the first woman to accompany Adrian on Oscar nights for two consecutive years, she also voted for one. Of course, Natalie will definitely not be proud of it.

But even so, under Adrian's teasing, Natalie took the initiative to linger with him in the car for the first time, and went all the way to the villa in Malibu. But she thought that this would satisfy him, so she was wrong. When the RV stopped in the garage, Adrian did not intend to stop. He continued to be tender with her in the car first, and waited for the driver to leave completely. Finally, he picked up Natalie and got out of the car, leaving the garage and entering the house while doing this, and even made a circle from the vestibule.

"No...don't do this..." Natalie, unable to struggle, tensed her body and pleaded as she passed the courtyard.

"What? I have done so much for you, and you can't even meet this request?" This was Adrian's joking answer, and the other party's body tensed immediately.

As always, although the Oscars are over, there will always be aftermath. For example, some media teased Adrian for three consecutive best directors, and made various hints about Natalie's consecutive best actress. The behavior of dividing the cake is the best proof that none of the big hits has won more than three awards. In short, there are all kinds of voices.

Mel Gibson's big mouth even openly declared that this was a victory for the Jews. Of course, he had some brains and didn't attack Adrian, but complained that he shouldn't try to curry favor with the Jews.