US Weekly, **100 points**: "Hall, Hall, Hall. Alfonso Cuarón delivers a flawless film, and Renly Hall once again delivers a flawless performance. In the vast expanse of space, he experiences a magnificent, life-threatening adventure, yet no one can hear his screams and cries. The layered emotional release truly showcases his acting at its peak."
USA Today, **Perfect score**: "Alfonso Cuarón has done an incredible job, creating a cinematic experience that is hard to surpass, but… all praise must go to Renly Hall. This young actor breathes life into the character and story with his subtle, profound, and richly expressive eyes. Every scene he appears in is breathtaking. If anyone still wonders how he achieved EGOT, this is the answer."
The Washington Post, **Perfect score**: "When the film ended, every audience member spontaneously rose to their feet in applause. This was for Alfonso Cuarón, but even more so for Renly Hall! Following 'Inside Llewyn Davis,' Renly Hall once again delivers a soul-stirring performance, with distinct layers and profound depth. His performance is the kind that 'completely immerses the audience in the story, making it impossible for them to break away.' By the film's end, Hall's work is worthy of being recorded in cinematic history."
Vanity Fair, **100 points**: "Applause! All applause and respect go to Renly Hall! He has succeeded once again in accomplishing the impossible, proving himself to be one of the finest and most outstanding actors of our time. An incredible performance!"
In post-premiere interviews, Renly repeatedly emphasized that he hoped everyone would focus on the director, as this is a director's film. Alfonso Cuarón's directorial vision and cinematic language gave "Gravity" epoch-making significance. Every other aspect of the production, including Renly himself, could be considered tools in the director's hands.
When Alfonso immediately praised Renly in return, attributing all credit to the young actor and even bluntly stating that Renly was one of the greatest actors of their generation, many assumed it was just routine mutual admiration between director and star. Now, mainstream media have echoed that sentiment.
From "Inside Llewyn Davis" to EGOT, and now "Gravity," this has truly been Renly's year. His all-around excellence has successfully elevated him into legendary status.
After the EGOT Grand Slam, there was actually no shortage of criticism both inside and outside the industry.
Extremes beget opposition—this is a natural law. When praise reaches its peak, it inevitably breeds resentment and resistance, especially given Renly's youth. Whether out of envy, jealousy, disdain, or a purist's annoyance, it's undeniable that some began to feel a degree of weariness.
Seeing endless news reports about Renly Hall across various media, all singing his praises, made some want to ignore or skip them—or even go further, making malicious speculations as complaints and grievances poured in: "As if Renly Hall is the only actor left in the world."
Not to mention ordinary viewers, even Renly himself gradually began to feel numb and annoyed. In the first half of the year, he hit a period of stagnation, losing passion and motivation for acting. In the second half, after his breakthrough, he became reluctant to overexpose himself to the media, hoping attention would focus solely on his work.
But… a work is a work, and excellence is excellence. This is undeniable and irrefutable.
Just as in competitive sports, Usain Bolt dominated the world stage during his peak, winning championship after championship, invincible. Envious and challenging eyes were everywhere, but regardless of whether people liked or supported him, he kept winning.
That is absolute dominance. Thus, controversy gradually faded—or perhaps still existed, but no one cared anymore.
The same holds true for Renly now.
The brilliance of the EGOT Grand Slam may have caused fatigue, but "Inside Llewyn Davis" at Cannes and "Gravity" at Venice remain undeniably excellent works—even classic masterpieces. The depth and breadth of these two films once again prove Renly's absolute position as the leading actor of the new generation, second to none in all of Hollywood.
Don't agree? Keep it to yourself.
After "Gravity" premiered in Venice, although official festival statistics were absent, a noticeable shift in sentiment could be felt throughout the city.
Praise for Alfonso Cuarón was overwhelming, while praise for Renly Hall seemed endless. Many expressed regret that "Gravity" was not in the main competition—otherwise, the strongest contender for the Golden Lion would have already been decided. Even more regrettable was Renly missing out on a shot at the Best Actor award.
Before Venice, speculation was already swirling about whether Renly could achieve the feat of winning Best Actor at all three major European film festivals.
If possible, he would clearly be the youngest actor in cinematic history to do so, and the one to accomplish it in the shortest time—just two years. On the road to making history, Renly has indeed left everyone else in the dust, dominating with ease.
After the "Gravity" premiere, a prevailing opinion circulated through the streets of Venice: if the film had been in the main competition, the Best Actor award would have been Renly's for the taking, meaning history might very well have been made.
Unfortunately, there are no "what-ifs."
Warner Bros.' insistence and obsession with a commercial film strategy is simply outrageous, especially under Kevin Tsujihara's leadership. The company's upper management remains chaotic and turbulent, leaving almost no room for negotiation. Everything has become simplistic and crude, and their promotional plan thus cut off both the grand vision of the Venice Film Festival and the possibility of Renly making history.
Though it was only a possibility—even if "Gravity" had been in the main competition, Renly might not have won—it still leaves many filmmakers feeling resentful.
In contrast, Warner Bros. is now complacent. Given "Gravity's" excellent reception, they can already look forward to the upcoming Toronto and New York film festivals. After all three festivals conclude, the film will open wide across North America. Their promotion and distribution strategy is unfolding perfectly.
Regrettable as it may be, production and distribution rights are inherently complicated, and setbacks are inevitable when collaborating with top-tier companies. Since "Gravity" was destined to miss Venice's main competition, all media attention shifted to the awards season, which has now officially begun.
Undoubtedly, "Gravity" has easily joined the top tier. Many media outlets believe the film holds unparalleled advantages in categories like Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and numerous technical awards, rightfully becoming the year's biggest awards contender.
Moreover, "Inside Llewyn Davis" has quietly entered the top tier as well. The Coen brothers' prospects for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay remain highly competitive. Sony's classic Oscars campaign skills are even superior to Warner Bros.', which is also a significant advantage.
Now, with leading roles in both "Inside Llewyn Davis" and "Gravity," Renly has rightfully become the top contender for Best Actor, far surpassing the buzz he generated with last year's "Detachment" and the year before's "Buried."
Two years ago, Renly starred in two critically acclaimed films, "like crazy" and "50/50," which boosted his awards season momentum and ultimately led to a surprising victory. This year's two films easily surpass those in quality, scale, feedback, and reviews. Does this mean Renly is about to replicate that upward trajectory?
Before anyone realized it, awards season had arrived.
After Rooney Mara departed, the "Gravity" crew remained in Venice for two more days, giving interviews to major media outlets and completing the first phase of promotion before leaving.
Truthfully, Renly still hoped to spend some time vacationing in Venice. This time, Matthew, Andrew, Ethan, and other friends had also come to the water city. Wonderful memories of their youth came flooding back, making them reluctant to leave. But work is work, and Renly eventually had to depart for Toronto to begin the next round of promotion.
As for a vacation… that would have to wait until next time.
Matthew and the others were in no hurry to leave. Since they were already in Venice, they simply took a short break to enjoy the late summer sun of the Adriatic. In a daze, it felt as though they had returned to their carefree youth, indulging in the leisure and comfort of well-off young men, recklessly displaying the vigor and vitality of their prime.
Those were days gone forever.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Toronto had already welcomed the crisp, expansive air of autumn. Maple leaves were turning the sky and ground into a kaleidoscope of colors, making the whole world vivid and magnificent. This is a beauty unique to Canada, a magical transition from summer to autumn that makes you slow down and savor it.
At Toronto Pearson International Airport, warm and hospitable Canadians welcomed Renly Hall back with the highest level of enthusiasm. More importantly, they welcomed the dazzling debut of "Gravity." After three years away from this city and this land, "Renly Hall" was no longer the same. The surging, bustling crowds already foreshadowed a remarkable journey for the upcoming promotion.