"What's the first media review?" Alex asked urgently, trying to shift the attention away from his own embarrassment.
Only then did Joseph remember why he had come downstairs. "It's a review from USA Today." USA Today is a full-color general-interest daily newspaper founded in September 1982. Thinking of the review, Joseph's expression stiffened slightly. He hesitated and looked into Hugo's expectant eyes.
In fact, Joseph had been worried that Hugo might care too much about the media's opinions and end up not eating or sleeping properly. The obvious dark circles under Hugo's eyes only confirmed Joseph's concerns. But then he thought about the changes Hugo had undergone over the past six months. He knew Hugo was no longer the same playboy he had been before the Golden Raspberry Awards.
"The review isn't good. It was written by Mike Clark," Joseph decided to tell the truth. He was Hugo's agent, and also his partner in facing all kinds of situations. Besides, even if he wanted to hide the review from Hugo, he wouldn't be able to. "He said, 'This two-and-a-half-hour film lacks tightness for more than half of its runtime, but Al Pacino still portrayed the role perfectly!'"
That was far from a positive review. Hugo's smile froze at the corners of his mouth. Joseph wasn't finished; he changed his tone and added, "He gave it a score of fifty out of a hundred." That wasn't even a passing grade.
Charlize and Alex were stunned, clearly not expecting such a result. Hugo, on the other hand, let out a breath of relief. When tension reaches its peak, a direct blow like this can actually be relieving.
It was then Hugo remembered that although Scent of a Woman had received many positive reviews, the slow pace of the film had indeed been a common criticism. The first half hour was especially slow, and some even called it "sleep-inducing." Nevertheless, Al's brilliant acting was never overshadowed that was to be expected.
"Phew, fifty points not good, but not terrible." Hugo relaxed, his smile slowly returning, though there was still some inevitable disappointment in his eyes.
"Hugo, USA Today is a general newspaper, not a professional outlet, don't take it too seriously," Charlize said. Over the past few months, she had been studying acting and learning about the entertainment industry, so she was no longer a clueless newbie. The clever girl quickly grasped the key point and spoke up in encouragement.
Alex's eyes lit up as he nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, exactly. That Mike Clark guy who knows where he popped out from? I say, just ignore that review entirely!"
Faced with their words of comfort, the disappointment in Hugo's eyes faded along with his smile. This time, he smiled genuinely. "Don't worry, I know the media aren't so easily pleased." After all, critics often nitpick it's their job. And they're human too, with personal preferences. That's unavoidable. What Hugo said was meant to comfort both his friends and himself. "At least, he didn't criticize my acting anymore, right?"
Hugo had a point. But even when you know something logically, it still hits differently emotionally. Though Hugo tried to lighten the mood, the atmosphere in the living room was still a bit gloomy.
Looking at Hugo's bright smile, Joseph silently sighed in relief. Recalling the tidal wave of criticism after the release of Hudson Hawk, Joseph realized Hugo had been right about one thing: though USA Today didn't praise him, at least it didn't attack him. That was a positive sign.
Since even Hugo, the one directly affected, could remain optimistic and cheerful, Joseph, as his agent, had even less reason to panic. He pretended to be casual as he said, "The first wave of reviews is coming out gradually. Let's wait and see. So, what are you guys planning for breakfast? We can't skip breakfast just because of those pesky media reviews."
In fact, none of them had washed up since getting out of bed. Neither had Hugo nor Charlize. Alex had brushed his teeth, but there were still traces of foam on the corner of his mouth. Joseph's reminder made everyone suddenly realize their negligence. Hugo, Charlize, and Alex looked at each other, and Hugo was the first to dash off toward the bathroom.
Charlize followed close behind, shouting, "Ladies first! Ladies first!"
A beat behind, Alex cried out, "I just need to wash my face! Just my face…"
But in the end, the bathroom door was shut mercilessly. Hugo, being the fastest, had gotten there first. Charlize and Alex were left standing at the door, looking dejectedly at the wooden panel. Seeing the lively atmosphere return to the room, Joseph also relaxed a little.
Once everyone had finished washing up, Joseph toasted some bread, prepared milk and cereal, and sat at the dining table. Actually, there still weren't enough tall stools on the third floor only two. Because the table was so high, the other chairs didn't fit, so usually only two people could sit properly, while everyone else made do with whatever was around.
Hugo sat on the sink counter, kicked Charlize's high stool lightly, and said, "Pass me the bread and the peanut butter."
"Why should I?" Charlize turned and gave him an eye-roll as if she couldn't care less, but she still picked up a slice of bread and began spreading peanut butter on it.
Seeing this, Hugo chuckled gleefully. But after Charlize finished, she scoffed, "It's not for you. What are you so happy about?" Hugo watched as she was about to take a bite, and quickly jumped down from the sink, grumbling with dissatisfaction. But just as his feet touched the floor, Charlize turned around and handed him the bread, leaving Hugo dumbfounded.
She held the bread in the air for about two seconds. When Hugo didn't reach out to take it, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Don't want it?" Only then did Hugo react. He quickly took the bread and said, "Yes, of course I do. Thanks! Thanks a lot!" Then he leaned back against the sink and began chewing with contentment.
"Joseph! A call for you, I—" Kal's voice came from the doorway. Seeing everyone gathered around the table having breakfast, he immediately grumbled, "No one called me for breakfast!" Without saying much more, he walked straight to the table and reached for a slice of toasted bread, only to have Joseph smack his hand away.
Kal stared wide-eyed at Joseph.
Joseph, with a piece of bread in his mouth, said calmly, "If you want bread, toast it yourself!"
"Then I won't tell you what the phone call was about it was about the first wave of reviews for the film!" Kal had taken the call upstairs and, finding Joseph absent, had come down in jeans and a T-shirt.
Facing Kal like this, Joseph calmly pushed the whole plate of freshly toasted bread in Kal's direction. Only then did Kal smile with satisfaction. He picked up a piece of bread, found the strawberry jam, and despite the eight expectant eyes from the four people around staring at him and making him a bit uneasy, he still tried his best to stay composed. Slowly and methodically, he spread the jam. Not until Alex's forehead veins started bulging did he finally speak. "The office just called and said, the Chicago Sun-Times' review is out."
Though the Chicago Sun-Times is only a regional newspaper published in Chicago and isn't even the top-selling paper locally let alone a professional film publication its film reviews carry a lot of weight. That's because the legendary American film critic Roger Ebert writes for this paper.
Sixty years old this year, Roger Ebert is one of the most famous film critics in the United States. He was the first film critic in history to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, and the review program he produced was also nominated for an Emmy Award. He is truly one of the most influential critics of our time.
So, when they heard "Chicago Sun-Times," Joseph immediately tensed up. "Roger Ebert's review?" Even though he always said he didn't care, didn't care at all, every movie was the result of the whole crew pouring in countless efforts, and as one of the most important parts of that, actors naturally hoped their work would be recognized. Especially after the disastrous review from USA Today, Roger's review became all the more critical.
Not just Joseph even Hugo, Charlize, and Alex all stopped chewing and looked toward Kal.
Kal nodded. "Yes, Roger. He said that in the end of Scent of a Woman, we once again arrive at the cliché conclusion of a coming-of-age film, and once again arrive at the cliché resolution of a prep school story. But what's different is that this film possesses wisdom and skill absent in other similar works."
Kal's comments were a bit long, and after hearing them, everyone fell silent, unsure whether Roger's review was praise, criticism, or just neutral.
"He also said that Al delivered the most unforgettable and brilliant performance of his career. And Hugo," Kal paused at this point and looked at Hugo before revealing a smile, "Hugo's outstanding performance together with Al's carried the entire film!" This was good news Roger had straightforwardly praised both Al and Hugo's performances.
Seeing the faint smile Hugo tried to suppress at the corners of his mouth, Kal himself couldn't hold back any longer, so he stopped keeping them in suspense and eagerly added, "Roger gave the movie an 80!"
An 80 out of a hundred this really couldn't be better news. Compared to USA Today's awful review, Roger's critique in the Chicago Sun-Times successfully rescued Hugo's morning.
...
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