The movie had finished playing, and all the emotions of the audience at the scene could finally be released. Earlier, during Frank's passionate and stirring speech, some people had already begun whistling and applauding, but since the movie wasn't over yet, they had to suppress themselves. It wasn't until the credits appeared on the big screen that the audience's repressed enthusiasm erupted into applause, completely filling the Fox Theatre.
Hugo sat in his seat, still feeling a bit emotional. This wasn't his first time watching Scent of a Woman; he had seen it multiple times before crossing over. But this viewing experience was completely different. In the past, when Hugo watched this film, his attention was almost entirely focused on Al's brilliant performance the tango, the joyride, the speech all leaving a deep impression in his mind. But now, Hugo was able to see more: his own performance, and the deeper meanings conveyed by the film.
Film, especially classic film, is truly a magical medium. It not only carries people's emotions joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness but each viewing brings a different experience. Even a bad film can yield new points of mockery, while a great film is like aged wine, becoming more fragrant with time.
In a daze, Hugo once again remembered why he loved movies: because they could carry the emotions within people positive or negative, profound or shallow, complex or simple they all found their place.
The applause wasn't thunderous, because there were fewer than three hundred people in the audience, but this applause meant far more to Hugo than simple praise. It was a kind of affirmation. After the film ended, Hugo sat in his seat, both excited and nervous, not daring to turn around because he was afraid of seeing disappointed expressions. He feared that his performance had ruined this classic film. It wasn't until the applause broke out that Hugo's cold and stiff limbs finally warmed up.
Turning around, under the dim lighting of the theater, Hugo saw unfamiliar faces all showing similar emotions: passion. Frank's speech had stirred the blood of everyone present that's the power of film. In that moment, Hugo's chest was filled with a warm sensation. That indescribable emotion echoed in his heart, leaving him a little overwhelmed. Finally, he too began clapping, and the physical feeling of palm against palm helped him release that emotion. A smile bloomed on his lips.
"We should go up now." Al patted Hugo's shoulder and looked toward the front of the theater. Martin, Bo, and the others had already walked up. Only then did Hugo realize that this was the premiere of his movie. As the supporting actor, the end of the screening didn't mean the end he still had to face the media and answer questions from the audience.
This was Hugo's first time standing before everyone to be scrutinized. The feeling was very different from walking the red carpet at the premiere. It was as if he were surrounded by the warmth of flashbulbs and could float into the sky at any moment. It was a marvelous feeling.
"Hugo, your performance in the film was excellent, completely different from your role in Hudson Hawk. What were your special feelings during the filming process?" Most of the earlier questions had been directed at Director Martin and lead actor Al, since they were the main figures. As a supporting actor, Hugo only got his first question after two rounds.
Faced with this question, Hugo chuckled. "Uh, I think the most important thing was to stop thinking about the last movie." His self-deprecating joke drew laughter from the crowd. "During the filming, Al gave me a lot of help. He's a great actor, and I must express my thanks and respect."
"So what are your thoughts on the Razzie Awards?" Another reporter immediately threw out this explosive question.
Hugo shrugged and nodded slightly. "I just hope Al doesn't get dragged down by me." Hugo's witty response neither dodged the sharp question nor acted shamefully evasive. Instead, he used a sideways answer full of humor and a bit of self-mockery, which reminded people of his passionate moment at the Razzie Awards—it was quite amusing.
The audience burst into laughter. Al even wrapped his arm around Hugo's shoulder, patted his chest, and said loudly with a laugh, "If your performance gets nominated for a Razzie, I wouldn't mind winning it myself." Al's public show of support in front of the media was rare and precious, leaving Hugo briefly speechless, smiling a bit bashfully.
Before Scent of a Woman was released, most of the media had little confidence in the film. The negative opinions were overwhelmingly one-sided. But precisely because expectations were low, the surprise after watching it in theaters was all the greater. The post-premiere media interviews were thus full of joy. Though reporters still didn't want to let go of the Razzie topic, at least the atmosphere was no longer stiff or sarcastic.
However, the atmosphere at the premiere was one thing and what the professional film critics wrote was another, and what audiences thought was yet another. All of this remained unknown.
Early the next morning, Hugo, who had been too anxious about the reviews to sleep a wink all night, walked like a zombie with dark circles under his eyes and heavy, stiff steps toward the kitchen. But once he got there, he forgot what he was going to do. His eyes stared blankly at the kitchenware around him, utterly lost. In the end, he floated back to the living room like a ghost and slumped onto the sofa like a deflated ball.
When Charlize woke up, this was the scene she saw. Meanwhile, Alex stood at the bathroom door brushing his teeth, watching Hugo on the sofa and laughing helplessly. Charlize, wearing a simple T-shirt and sweatpants with slippers, walked to the bathroom door. Alex intended to make way for her to use the bathroom, but Charlize stopped in the doorway, leaning against the wall. "What's wrong with him?"
Alex mumbled something, and only the word "reviews" could be heard. Charlize immediately understood Hugo was worried about the Scent of a Woman reviews. After spitting out the foam in his mouth, Alex said again, "He was tossing and turning all night in his room. I could hear his anxiety through the wall. And since getting up this morning, he's just been sitting there for a good fifteen minutes." Then Alex added gleefully, "That's just the time since I got up."
Charlize and Alex had never experienced something like this themselves, so they couldn't fully understand Hugo's anxiety. Instead, they found it a little funny. In fact, they had been telling Hugo all last night that the media reviews were sure to be positive, because the premiere reaction had been excellent. There was no need to worry. But no amount of reassurance could ease the anxiety Hugo felt inside.
Charlize pursed her lips, crossed her arms, and walked to the side of the sofa. She nudged Hugo's left foot with her right foot. Hugo slowly turned his head. His amber eyes were hidden behind long lashes, making it hard to see any light in his gaze just a blur. Charlize asked, half-laughing, "Didn't sleep all night?"
"Maybe." Hugo's brain was working so slowly he probably didn't even know whether he had slept or not. In the past, he found it hard to understand when people got so worked up over reviews and box office. But now that it was happening to him, Hugo realized just how agonizing it was.
Seeing Hugo like this, Charlize suddenly felt mischievous. She looked around and waved Alex over. Not knowing what was going on, Alex still had a towel in his hand as he walked over. Charlize gestured and mimed, and Alex immediately started laughing.
The two of them pushed against one side of the sofa and suddenly shook it violently while shouting in mock panic, "Earthquake! Earthquake!"
Hugo, who had been lying on the sofa lost in thought, instantly leapt up, also shouting, "Earthquake! Earthquake!" He looked around, seemingly trying to find an escape route, but before he could take a step, he saw Charlize and Alex laughing so hard they could barely stand up straight.
Only then did Hugo realize what was going on. He looked around at the completely still room and realized he had just been pranked. With a helpless smile on his face, Hugo thought about how silly he had looked just moments ago, and then chuckled softly to himself. The more he thought about it, the funnier it got.
Hugo knew that he was still too attached to winning and losing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sleepless the entire night. It was precisely because he received applause and support from the audience at the premiere that he started having expectations for the media reviews. This anxious, gain-and-loss mindset of his was truly frustrating.
Just then, the door to the room was opened with a key. Without even looking, Hugo knew it had to be Joseph. To make work easier, both Joseph and Kal had keys to the third-floor door. As Joseph entered, he saw the three of them scattered around the sofa, clutching their stomachs and laughing, leaving him completely confused.
Hugo was the first to notice Joseph, and he slightly restrained his laughter, rubbing his sore eyes. "What's up, you're up this early too?"
"Couldn't sleep," Joseph answered frankly. There were faint dark circles under his eyes his nerves were no less strained than Hugo's, maybe even worse. At least Hugo knew Scent of a Woman was a well-regarded classic, but Joseph didn't have that kind of reassurance.
Taking a deep breath, Joseph said, "I just got word the first media review is out."
As soon as he said that, Charlize and Alex stopped laughing and looked over at Joseph. Even though they weren't the ones being reviewed, they cared just as much about the film's reception. But Alex, who had been laughing too hard, suddenly couldn't catch his breath and hiccupped, "Hic!" breaking the brief silence and causing the three onlookers to burst into laughter again.
...
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