As Nicole Kidman was about to fall, gasps immediately rose from the surroundings, and many quick-reacting people wanted to help her, but it was clearly too late.
Just as Nicole Kidman thought she was about to hit the ground hard, a large hand suddenly appeared and wrapped around her abdomen.
Immediately after, she felt a gentle force emanating from her lower abdomen; this force was not strong, but it was enough to push her up.
Because Nicole Kidman was too thin at this time; to play her role well in the hours, she, who was not plump to begin with, had lost more than ten pounds and now looked somewhat emaciated.
Under the effect of the force, Nicole Kidman's forward fall turned into a backward lean, and behind her, a strong arm was already prepared to catch her.
Looking at the young, handsome face before her with some surprise, Nicole Kidman felt her heart pounding; she couldn't tell if it was from fright or something else.
Eric slowly helped her steady herself: "Are you alright, Nicole?"
Nicole Kidman paused for a moment before reacting.
"Yes, I'm fine. For me, it was an unexpected scene, but thank you for appearing, Eric."
Eric smiled: "It was a timely encounter. I also have to thank the Academy for arranging my seat here."
"Go accept your award. Everyone is looking forward to your wonderful speech."
"Thank you!"
Leaving Eric's embrace, Nicole Kidman waved to the side, indicating she was fine, and then continued onto the stage.
The cameraman had already captured the entire process, which would be broadcast as a highlight tonight.
The combination of a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a hero saving a beauty – this kind of scenario is loved worldwide and is sure to boost Oscar viewership by several percentage points.
Walking onto the stage, Nicole Kidman first embraced Denzel Washington, then proceeded to the microphone to deliver her acceptance speech.
"I am very emotional right now. I didn't expect to win an award. Let me think. I am incredibly grateful to the crew of the hours. Although they told me not to cry, honestly, I still can't help but feel a little emotional."
Applause immediately erupted from the audience. Last year, she was nominated for Best Actress for moulin rouge but unfortunately lost to Halle Berry's Monster's Ball. This time, her win was well-deserved.
"Thank you, David Hare and Michael Cunningham, for writing such a wonderful story. Thank you, Stephen Daldry, for boldly casting me. Thank you, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep, for inspiring my performance."
"And I also want to thank the Academy. Thank you for being willing to give me this award. Thank you very much."
"Then I also want to say, these are difficult times. War makes everyone suffer. Many people have lost loved ones and friends. Let us pray together, hoping for an early end to the war and for peace to come soon!"
Thanking and delivering an anti-war declaration simultaneously was the mainstream of this year's Oscar, and Nicole Kidman's speech naturally resonated with the audience, drawing applause.
But just as everyone thought she had finished, Nicole Kidman did not leave the stage.
"I know time is up, but please don't rush me, because I still have one special person to thank."
"You all just saw me almost fall and make a fool of myself. At that moment, I was thinking, 'Oh my god, I'm actually going to fall at such an event, and then accept an award in such a shameful state.' That would definitely be the most terrible thing."
"But at that moment, that young man appeared. So I also want to thank him, and I hope everyone gives a warm round of applause to Eric Cooper!"
The camera once again focused on Eric. Listening to the applause from the entire venue, he couldn't help but grin, and this time his smile was genuine.
Nicole Kidman walked off the stage with her Oscar statuette. As she reached Eric, she suddenly stopped, then bent down and gave him a hug.
"I forgot earlier; I'm making up for it now."
The woman's whisper echoed in his ear. Eric could clearly see her underwear and her unspeakable secrets.
Unfortunately, the alluring scene lasted only a few seconds before the glamorous new Best Actress returned to her seat, leaving Eric feeling a little regretful.
At this point, only two awards remained in the ceremony: Best Director and Best Picture.
To the background music of indiana jones, Harrison Ford gracefully walked to the center of the stage.
"Throughout Hollywood history, countless films have brought us rich emotional experiences and profoundly impacted society, and these films come from the hands of individual directors, who are the people I admire most."
"The nominees for Best Director at this Oscar are: Martin Scorsese for Gangs of New York, Rob Marshall for chicago, Stephen Daldry for the hours, Roman Polanski for the pianist, and Pedro Almodóvar for Talk to Her."
On screen, Martin Scorsese, Rob Marshall, Stephen Daldry, and Pedro Almodóvar all displayed various expressions.
Old Martin was the most composed, having already won at Cannes and the Silver Lion. As a veteran, even if he intensely desired an Oscar, he would appear very reserved.
The other three either stared intently at the stage or clutched their chests with their hands; they were genuinely nervous.
As for Roman Polanski, well, he only had a photograph.
"The winner is Roman Polanski for the pianist."
Before Harrison Ford had even finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the venue. Martin Scorsese first noticeably pouted, showing his inner disappointment, then clapped his hands to offer congratulations.
It was evident that he was truly disappointed, and the other three were largely the same.
Harrison Ford continued: "The Academy congratulates Roman Polanski on his win. As he is not present, the Academy will accept on his behalf."
As indiana jones left the stage, veteran actor Kirk Douglas and his son Michael Douglas walked on.
This father-son duo could be called cinematic evergreens; they would present the final grand award.
The camera also timely cut to Catherine Zeta-Jones, who had just won Best Supporting Actress. She married Michael Douglas in 2000 and was pregnant with his son.
However, it would be better if this son was never born, because when he grew up, he would become a drug dealer and addict, ruining the family's reputation.
Watching Kirk Douglas speak slowly, Eric felt like he was watching "Biden," the difference being that he was deliberate, while the other was not confused.
The father and son exchanged a few witty remarks, then got to the point.
"Nominated for Best Picture at the Oscar are: Gangs of New York, the hours, the lord of the rings 2, chicago, and the pianist."
The camera showed the crews of the five films, all displaying nervous and expectant expressions.
If Best Director honors an individual, Best Picture honors the entire team; it is everyone's honor.
In his seat, Eric leaned back. He was already too lazy to watch; he knew the award would go to chicago anyway.
However, thinking of Harvey Weinstein's ugly, fat, cheering face after chicago won made him feel sick to his stomach. He just wanted it to end quickly.
On stage, the Douglas father and son opened the envelope, tore the paper inside in half, then pieced it back together and loudly announced: "The winner is the pianist!"
"What?!"
Eric abruptly stood up from his seat, then realized he wasn't the winner and hastily sat back down.
This time, Nicolas Cage looked at him in surprise: "Eric, it seems you really like the pianist, even more excited than the actual winner."
"Oh, yes, yes, the pianist is indeed an excellent anti-war film. It's great!"
Eric replied distractedly, but his mind was filled with immense confusion, recalling countless memories.
That's right, his memory couldn't be wrong; chicago should have won.
But the reality before him was that the pianist had won Best Picture. Adrien Brody was already enthusiastically hugging and celebrating with the screenwriters and producers, their excited laughter reaching him.
He looked back at the chicago crew again. Although they were applauding, the disappointment on their faces was undeniable.
Especially Harvey Weinstein's orc-like face; even as he tried to put on a suave and magnanimous expression, his twitching lips betrayed his true feelings.
He must have spent a lot to win Best Picture, but unfortunately, things did not go as planned.
Without the endorsement of this most important honor, chicago's revenue from copyright, DVDs, and other aspects would at least be halved; awards are money.
Seeing that fat man upset made Eric happy. Whatever the reason for the change in results, as long as it was a good change, that was fine.
the pianist's producer, Robert Benmussa, went on stage to deliver his acceptance speech, and finally, with Steve Martin's closing remarks, the 75th Oscar Awards ceremony came to an end.
However, the awards ceremony ending did not mean everything was over. Afterwards, there was the Vanity Fair party banquet, where winners could fully display their Oscar statuettes.
At the party, there was no need to be so reserved. Female stars could change into their favorite clothes and apply their most glamorous makeup.
Male stars could also eat and drink heartily. Except for those who had eaten before arriving, sitting for over three hours, plus the time before and after entry and preparation, totaled nearly five hours, so everyone was already ravenous.
Walking out of the Kodak Theatre, Eric watched the female stars getting into their cars, many of whom would change outfits inside.
And when he arrived at the party venue, it had already become a star-studded stage.
While the Oscar advocated for frugality and anti-war, Vanity Fair did not; the red carpet was laid out as it should be, and the atmosphere was vibrant.
Numerous media gathered there, and flashbulbs almost turned the ceiling white.
The youngest new Best Actor in Oscar history, Adrien Brody, was posing for photos with Best Actress Nicole Kidman.
Seeing Eric, the young handsome man, walk in, the reporters immediately clamored.
"Eric, come take a photo."
"Director Cooper, we've been waiting for you for ages."
"Cooper, come take a picture, you'll be very photogenic."
Eric waved his hand and walked straight ahead, indicating he had no such intention. 'I'm not a big star, nor did I win an award, why photograph me?'
At this moment, Adrien Brody tactfully stepped aside, and Nicole Kidman's voice came: "Come here, Eric, you don't want me to be all alone, do you?"
Slap!
Someone suddenly pushed him from behind. Peter Jackson grinned broadly and said, "It's not good to refuse a beautiful woman's invitation, especially a newly crowned Best Actress. Show your gentlemanly demeanor."
"OK!"
Shrugging, Eric walked to the front of the large group of reporters and stood next to Nicole Kidman.
The sound of camera shutters immediately clicked non-stop, and one pose was quickly captured.
Immediately, Nicole Kidman turned her head and whispered, "Eric, you can put your arm around my waist."
The two were already very close, and when she turned her head, it was as if she was about to kiss Eric's face.
As the saying goes, entertainment reporters are faster than dogs, and they immediately began frantically snapping photos.
"Nicole, Eric saved you at the ceremony, are you going to kiss your hero?" A bold one already started to tease and jeer.
Kissing was definitely not an option, at least not in public. Eric then naturally put his arm around Nicole Kidman's slender waist.
Although it was still winter, female stars were truly dedicated; everyone seemed unfazed by the cold. The glamorous woman beside him was wearing a backless dress.
The feeling in his hand was very good, smooth and tender. Although she was over 30, her skin was maintained just as well as, if not better than, a young woman like Gadot.
After the photo, Eric's finger lightly traced Nicole Kidman's lower back, and they exchanged smiles.
Not giving these reporters a chance to ask sensitive questions, he gave up his spot to others and Eric directly entered the interior of the venue.
Many stars gathered there, both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Everyone was in small groups, chatting and laughing heartily.
Picking up a glass of champagne and looking at the food prepared on the table, Eric was considering what to eat first when Spielberg's voice sounded from behind him.
"Hungry?"
"Hmm? Yes, at least my stomach thinks so. It desperately needs carbs and calories right now."
Spielberg smiled and sighed: "Youth is truly wonderful. When I was your age, I could wake up in the middle of the night and drink two more bottles of beer, and eat a large piece of bacon, a piece as big as a human face."
"But unfortunately, I can't do that now. I'm already 57 years old. At most, I can only have a slice of bread and a few cherries. Any more and my stomach will protest."
Eric drank half a glass of champagne, ate the small pastry in his mouth, and said meaningfully, "Steven, I never think you're old. No one in Hollywood would think that. Judging by your filming speed, your energy and ambition have never faded."
Saying this, he picked up a steak knife and cut a piece of bacon into eight pieces: "Let me see if you're still young. Want a piece?"
Spielberg paused, looking at the young man who was chatting and laughing. He understood what the other person meant.
Eight pieces of bacon, but currently there are only seven major film companies in Hollywood. What the eighth piece represented was self-evident.
Without any hesitation, Spielberg picked up a plate with his left hand and, holding a fork in his right, plunged it down firmly.
"Why not?"