"...I'm personally ruining this project."
As Kate spoke, she stopped walking, pressed her fingers against her temples, and let out a low groan. Though no tears came, she chuckled instead. The more she thought about it, the more absurd and depressing it felt—
Heh.
Actions speak louder than words.
Kate's frustration, defeat, annoyance, and gloom radiated from her, making it clear how deeply she cared about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Each bitter laugh only emphasized the helplessness of the situation.
Anson tried to comfort her, "Didn't you say it was just an accident? There's no need to blame yourself."
Kate took a deep breath. "Yes, an accident. But Anson, a single accident could throw the entire project off course, creating roadblocks along the way. By then, will anyone on set care that it all started as an accident?"
What Kate had endured since Titanic, and the challenges she'd faced, were beyond Anson's understanding. But based on his own brief experiences, he could imagine that the struggles and setbacks she had weathered were far more intense than he could grasp.
Indeed, in the spotlight, everyone walks their own unique path.
Anson thought carefully. "Maybe things aren't as bad as they seem."
Kate looked up at him.
Anson shrugged. "What I mean is, you're still in the early stages of pregnancy, right? No one can tell for now, so we can continue filming. And as for the filming process, well, that's our professional job."
"Besides, we're already racing against time, trying to finish before winter ends. So, if we wrap up filming before your pregnancy starts showing, it actually aligns perfectly with our schedule."
"Everything's not as bad as it seems."
"Now, all we need to do is tell the director—"
Before he could finish, Kate instinctively interrupted him.
"You're crazy! We absolutely cannot tell the director."
Anson met her gaze. "Why not?"
Kate blinked, her words stuck in her throat.
Anson waited patiently for a moment. When Kate didn't respond, he continued, "Are you worried the director will replace you with another actor? Or are you afraid he'll give you a harsh lecture?"
Kate was taken aback and looked at Anson again, her surprise clear.
Anson shrugged slightly. "When we make mistakes, we often start worrying and fearing the worst, without even knowing what we're afraid of. It's only when we gather the courage to face it head-on that we realize things aren't so bad. Most of the time, it's just us scaring ourselves."
"What's the worst that could happen?"
"You and the crew part ways."
"But I believe your agent won't let you lose this job easily."
"And besides, the director personally chose you to play Clementine. Do you really think he'd be willing to replace you just like that?"
Though blunt, his words made sense.
Kate stood frozen, stopping in the middle of the empty street late at night. She even forgot to pull her shoulders in against the cold as she sank into deep thought.
Anson also stopped, standing nearby, choosing not to disturb her any further.
He wasn't Kate. He didn't face the same dilemmas she did, and he didn't want to appear too condescending. It was enough to offer advice and leave it at that.
Of course, based on his past life's trajectory, he knew Kate would win the Best Actress Oscar for The Reader in 2009. So, it seemed that her dedication to family hadn't hindered her career.
But was that really the case?
Was it truly that simple?
Only Kate knew how much effort, struggle, and pain she had endured behind the glamorous facade.
Anson had no intention of sitting in judgment of someone else's life or choices.
However, he had, for the first time, peeled back the curtain and glimpsed a corner of Kate's world—
Her anxieties, fears, ambitions, struggles, hesitations, and helplessness. The worries of being an actor and the reflections of being a woman. She was no longer just a screen character or a projection of youthful imagination. She was becoming a vivid, real person.
Then.
Anson's mind drifted to the first time they had met at the station.
Two strangers, two actors, exploring and feeling each other out. Even though they knew nothing about each other and their impressions were entirely shaped by the big screen, they still managed to set aside stereotypes and immerse themselves in their roles, creating chemistry.
Perhaps that was what Anson needed most at this moment—
Not just charm, but a genuine desire to delve into his role, setting aside preconceived notions and expectations, returning to the core of the character's essence.
Like Joel.
In the movie, after much thought, Anson focused on Joel's tie.
In a way, it mirrored Clementine's hair color. Imagine Clementine trying to change Joel's style, but finding him too stubborn, so her attempts failed. In the end, the only lasting impact was the tie.
So.
At their first meeting, the tie would be neatly tied in a Windsor knot, with basic colors like black, blue, and gray.
After the second meeting, Joel's tie could start to show more colors, with subtle changes in his outfit to reflect this shift.
By the third meeting, the tie would be gone altogether, symbolizing the breaking of constraints and the embrace of adventure.
Like a barometer.
This idea was inspired by the film Maurice.
In that movie, which shot Hugh Grant to fame, a beard symbolized the hypocrisy of the elite class. Having or not having a beard reflected the character's inner state, a brilliant detail.
These subtle elements might go unnoticed by the audience.
But their presence injected a unique energy into the scene.
Now, Anson was trying to use the tie to do the same with his character's appearance.
So—
In tonight's scene, Joel had already removed his tie, symbolizing the shedding of restraints, though he himself hadn't realized it.
On one hand, he was subconsciously drawn to step out of his comfort zone.
On the other, he felt nervous and uneasy, instinctively wanting to retreat.
In a way, Anson could draw from his own feelings toward Kate.
Eager to work with her, yet afraid to meet her eyes, lest his inner thoughts be exposed.
It was a subtle and conflicted situation.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him. When he looked at Kate again, his gaze and mindset subtly shifted. This made him self-consciously remove the unlit cigarette from his mouth and tuck it back into its case—
It was best not to smoke around a pregnant woman, even in the early stages.
Kate seemed to notice his change in expression. She took a deep breath, showing her decisive and efficient side, dropping her hesitation.
"I'm ready to talk to the director. Will you stay by my side for moral support?"