For this Oscar, the most popular candidates for Best Actress were Hilary Swank and Nicole, with the other three having less support.
However, just as Eric had arranged in advance, Million Dollar Baby was released at the beginning of last year.
It moved everyone at the time, but over time, many plot details were inevitably forgotten.
There are nearly 10,000 judges on the Oscar committee, and they have too many movies to watch; not everyone has time to rewatch them.
Meanwhile, la vie en rose is still showing in cinemas, and many judges have only just seen it, so it's easy to see whose performance would leave a deeper impression.
Coupled with MGM spending millions of dollars on marketing and promotion, Hilary Swank unfortunately had to be overlooked.
On stage, Nicole excitedly held her trophy; it was her second Little Golden Man, with only a short year in between.
Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Little Golden Men, with four.
She certainly couldn't compare to such a legend from the last century.
But at least since the turn of this century, with three nominations in four years and two wins, who among actresses could outshine her?
"Hahahaha."
Unable to hold back, Nicole let out a laugh herself, immediately drawing a ripple of chuckles from the audience.
"Sorry, sorry, I was just thinking my salary can go up again."
Hahahahaha.
The initial chuckles immediately turned into loud laughter.
"There's always this saying that winning an Oscar Winner means three years of bad luck, but this trophy proves otherwise."
"I believe the key lies in an actor's eye for choosing films; for example, la vie en rose is a good movie."
"It was after last year's Oscar ceremony that Eric presented the script and invited me, and I was immediately captivated."
As she spoke, she looked at Eric and smiled sweetly: "Everyone put in a lot for this movie. Thank you, Eric, and Howard, and everyone in the crew."
"And my competitors, you are all the best actors, there's no doubt about that."
"Also, thank you to the Academy. This is a wonderful evening, one of the most important moments in my life. Thank you very much, thank you!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Whether acknowledged or not, all four competitors wore smiling faces, and amidst the applause, Nicole walked off the stage with her Little Golden Man.
"I want one too," Theron said, pouting.
"Huh? Don't you already have one?"
"I only have one. Nicole has two now. I want to get another one."
"Another one! Do you think the Oscar is run by our family? Are you not going to leave any room for other actresses to live?"
"I don't care; anyway, I can't have fewer than Nicole."
Eric shook his head. While not the President of the United States, winning an Oscar Winner isn't something you can just do; it's not that simple.
"If you promise me, I'll give you a reward tonight, okay?" Theron said, tilting her head seductively.
"Cough, cough. What reward? Tell me first, and I'll consider it."
"Aren't you interested in playing the monster's game? My dear, if you write another good script and tailor a role for me, I'll fulfill your fantasy."
Eric shivered: "Are you serious?"
"I promise."
"Deal!"
The so-called monster's game naturally referred to the film where Theron won Oscar Winner, in which she played a lesbian.
Eric had always wanted to bring the Olsen Sisters and other women together, but after all this time, it hadn't truly materialized.
At most, they could all lie on the same bed, but getting them to comfort each other and do more hadn't happened yet.
If one Oscar Winner could lead to such harmony, he'd even tailor a role for each of them.
He could just pick from Oscar Winner-winning films from later generations, such as The Reader, which crowned Kate Winslet, Room, which crowned Brie Larson, or even Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which crowned Frances McDormand.
As long as Theron changed her physique again and used makeup, presenting a fifty-year-old protagonist was not impossible.
Just then, Nicole returned happily with her trophy, her eyes practically crescent moons.
Eric chuckled, "Happy?"
"Of course, I love you, dear."
"Love isn't enough. How will you thank me?"
"Just say it, I'll agree to anything."
"I want to play the monster's game!" Eric immediately threw out Theron's condition.
Seeing her look a bit troubled, Eric continued to egg her on: "You just said you'd agree to anything, and this is an Oscar Winner, the highest honor for an actor."
"Alright, alright, but I can only try it. If it's uncomfortable, we have to stop."
"No problem, don't worry, baby, I'll make you feel like you're in heaven."
Above, the big-mouthed beauty Julia Roberts walked onto the stage.
She was wearing a black gown, very tight on the upper body, accentuating her chest into two half-bowls, making them look extra large.
"It is a great honor to present the Best Director award. Every nominee is a master in the field of cinema, possessing extraordinary skill."
"The nominees are: Clint Eastwood for Million Dollar Baby, Martin Scorsese for the aviator, Taylor Hackford for Ray."
"Eric Cooper for Inception, Alexander Payne for Sideways."
The portraits of the five nominees were displayed on the large screen, each person showing a different demeanor.
Old Man Dongmu leaned back in his chair, looking calm and composed.
Old Martin looked serious; everyone knew how much he wanted this award, but unfortunately, he was temporarily made a target, so it was hard to say.
Taylor Hackford grinned widely, his white beard making him seem quite happy just to be nominated.
Alexander Payne also looked serious, his hands constantly rubbing together.
Julia Roberts opened the envelope and, in a magnetic voice, announced: "And the winner is Clint Eastwood for Million Dollar Baby!"
Whoosh!
Instantly, the entire audience rose to their feet, applauding thunderously.
Eric first sighed, then also stood up and applauded.
This was the award he wanted most, though more people considered Best Picture to be the ultimate grand prize.
However, Best Picture is actually an accolade for everyone involved, including lighting, special effects, editing, sound effects, audio recording, action direction, actors, and director.
Every department involved in the film industry collectively contributed to creating a Best Picture.
Best Director, on the other hand, is recognition of the director's individual ability; for a director, this award symbolizes the highest honor.
But fortunately, Old Man Dongmu won, and as his fan, Eric, though disappointed, generously offered his congratulations.
"Thank you, thank you everyone."
"I want to thank my family, my wife and mother, especially my mom, who is 84 years old this year."
The camera focused on the elderly lady, who clapped her hands happily.
"This film was completed in just over 30 days, and I must thank everyone."
"For an old man like me, winning an award is a happy occasion, and I will continue to make films in the future."
As the Old Man Dongmu exited the stage, the ceremony reached its final moments, and Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand walked up together.
"Tonight, we are delighted to announce the result for Best Picture."
"These films have elevated the status of everyone involved and brought glory to the entire film industry."
"The nominees for Best Picture are: Michael Mann for the aviator, Marc Forster for Finding Neverland, Eric Cooper for Million Dollar Baby, Eric Cooper for Inception, and Alexander Payne for Sideways."
Best Picture is usually awarded to the film producer, as Hollywood operates under a producer-centric system, where the producer controls the finances and oversees the entire project.
Therefore, Eric appeared twice.
Dustin Hoffman looked at the contents of the envelope and quietly told Barbra Streisand, who then loudly announced: "The Oscar for Best Picture goes to Inception, Eric Cooper!"
Clap, clap, clap.
Roar!
Woohoo!
There was no upset; this result was undisputed.
Eric gave a shout, and the entire Inception crew, a dozen or so people, walked onto the stage together.
He handed the microphone to others: "I've said enough. I hope you can give us more time so everyone can speak."
Then, Bale, Heath Ledger, Tom Hardy, Hans Zimmer, Valerius Festus, and others took turns speaking a few words.
The directing team checked the time. Although they were already three minutes over, they still chose not to stop.
For many people here, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and cutting them off would be too heartless.
Moreover, Eric Cooper had spoken, and with his current standing in the industry, both the Academy and ABC still had to show him some respect.
Finally, amidst cheerful applause, the 77th Oscar ceremony concluded.
"Let's go, we're going to the Vanity Fair party. I can't take it anymore; at my age, I'm starving."
Old Man Dongmu waved his hand, intending to pull Eric along.
He glanced at Nicole: "Forget it, I don't want to go to the party. I'm a bit tired."
"Inception was the biggest winner, and MGM won so many trophies. How can you not attend? Many reporters are waiting."
"No, no, I've been too busy lately, and now I'm terribly sleepy."
Old Man Dongmu looked at him suspiciously, muttering "young people these days" as he turned and left.
Outside the Kodak Theatre, Eric quickly left after posing for a few photos for the waiting reporters.
The Olsen Sisters didn't attend tonight; they were at home watching TV.
"Why are you back so soon, Eric?"
"Stop talking nonsense, come shower with me."
"Huh? Now? What's wrong with you? You look like you're about to devour someone."
"Nicole and Theron promised to play the monster's game with me. No one is allowed to sleep tonight." Eric said, dropping his shirt.
Outside, several cars pulled up one after another.
Nicole, Theron, and Gadot all returned, and as soon as they entered, they saw Eric taking off his pants.
"Now? I'm hungry, let's eat something first."
"Shower first. There will be plenty for you to eat later. Is there any cream left at home?"
Mary looked excited: "Yes, I just bought some this morning. Do you want to use it?"
"And cherries, grapes, just bring all the fruit."
Elizabeth and Gadot already knew what they were talking about, and their ears instantly turned red.
"You guys have fun, I'm not participating. Elizabeth, let's go to my room and watch a movie."
"Mhm."
Seeing the two trying to escape, he couldn't let them get away. This was a great opportunity, of course, he had to catch them all.
Eric grabbed Elizabeth Olsen and, with a slight pull, lifted her into his arms.
Although Gadot was relatively strong, she couldn't withstand the combined efforts of four people and was quickly restrained as well.
"Help!"
"Help!"
"Help!"
As the sunlight hit his face, Eric slowly opened his eyes.
What met his gaze was a scene of utter decadence.
He was holding Ashley on his left, Mary on his right, his head resting on Theron's chest, and Elizabeth was lying on his chest.
If this scene were captured by paparazzi, the whole world would explode.
Hiss.
He moved slightly and immediately felt a soreness in his lower back, a truly unprecedented kind of exhilarating ache.
Even though he had drunk half a bottle of health-preserving wine last night, it didn't help; the amount of activity was simply too much.
"Alas! If this keeps up, I'm afraid I really will die in bed."
"My dear, what are you muttering about?"
Gadot asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
"Nothing. You did well last night. Quite skilled, I see."
"Bah! What skilled? It's my first time being so wild. I learned it all from watching Ashley and Mary."
"Then you're talented, baby."
Pinching Gadot's cheek, Eric suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, by the way, baby, I remember that girl Judy once took you on vacation, didn't she? She didn't harass you, did she?"
Gadot's face turned red again: "Can't your thoughts be less filthy? We just went to have fun."
"Heh heh. Is this a matter of whether I'm pure or not? I've known that guy for seven years. Don't I know what she's like?"
"Really, no. We just traveled around, then drank some wine and chatted. Judy is very nice."
"Are you sure she didn't get handsy after you got drunk?"
"Oh, come on, we didn't get drunk, and don't treat me like an idiot."
"You're right. That's strange then. What did you two talk about?"
"We talked about all sorts of random things. She also shared a lot of her inner thoughts, but you two have known each other for seven years, so why does it feel like she doesn't know you very well?"
"What do you mean?"
"It means Judy asked a lot about you—your emotional life, family situation, your attitude towards love, and so on."
"I think you should pay more attention to her. The Bar Refaeli incident hit her very hard, and she was in great pain during that time."
"After all, it was a two-year relationship, and she invested herself wholeheartedly, but unfortunately, she met an ungrateful person."
"You also know Judy has that independent personality. If you don't proactively care for her, she will absolutely never show her vulnerable side in front of others."
"So, you should care for her more, or invite her to visit on the weekend. After all, she's someone you can trust."
Eric nodded silently. Recently, that girl Judy had been acting more and more unusually.
Not long ago, she even pulled down his pants and touched him. Although they had been open with each other for years, in Eric's view, they were purely good buddies.
"It seems she really has something on her mind. I'll find some time to talk to her."