Chapter 414

"There is no doubt that this is a masterpiece. Anthony Minghella, who is in charge for the third time, has shown us his outstanding talent. Although this adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel is somewhat different from the original, he has firmly grasped the core of the film. The delicate composition and storyboard make the picture beautiful. The short but intense love between the male and female leads makes the audience sigh. Anthony's portrayal is delicate and vivid, leaving the audience with an endless aftertaste." — Vanity Fair

"The essence of this film is a love story, a love story in the context of war. Like all similar themes, this love story is intense and short. But the difference is that this story gives the audience a variety of feelings. At the beginning, you may feel unhappy about the affair between a married woman, then sympathize with the male protagonist, Omar, who did not hesitate to bear the infamy of a traitor in order to save his lover, and finally sigh because of the male protagonist's repentance before his death. Anthony has given us a picture that seems to be easy to define, but in fact, it is difficult to define. This is probably the charm of this film. "— Hollywood Reporter

Although Sophie Marceau does not have many scenes as a nurse, she plays the role of a mediator very well. I used to criticize her for only relying on one expression to act, but now, perhaps I can take back my words for the time being. "— Famous film critic Roger Ebert

After the release of "The English Patient", the box office was not very good. Christmas was just around the corner, and the battle for the box office had reached the most intense moment. Under the attack of the major film companies, the film only received 11 million dollars at the end of the first week. Not only was it the lowest among the three Christmas films, but it was also quite low among the films related to Adriaan.

However, the reputation of the film was surprisingly good. It had to be admitted that Miramax had put a lot of effort into it. When Adriaan handed the film over to them for distribution, he stated that the film was aimed at the Oscars. In addition, he also agreed to cooperate with their media as much as possible. Naturally, the Weinstein brothers did everything they could to promote the film.

However, the high quality of the film itself was also one of the reasons. Just as Adriaan said, Mincola used almost all of his talents on this film. As far as he could remember, after "The English Patient", he had never come up with a film with such a good reputation. The other actors also performed quite well. Needless to say, Ralph Fiennes's affectionate appearance in the film made it impossible to associate him with the murderous demon in "Schindler's List". Although he seemed a little quiet in private, when he appeared in front of the camera, he was very professional and outstanding.

Richel also performed well. Her temperament determined that she was very suitable for such a role. Although she was only the wife of an airplane pilot, her speech and knowledge were no different from those of a scholarly woman. Otherwise, she wouldn't have attracted the attention of an elegant aristocrat. In addition, because of Adriaan, she put in a lot of effort into her performance. She played the role very well.

As for Sophie, Roger Ebert had already said that Hannah did not have many scenes in the film, but she was very important. Her melancholy expression matched the background of the war. That was why Ebert said that. He used to think that Sophie completely relied on her melancholy and gentle expression to perform. Although it was the same in "The English Patient", it was integrated into the whole film, and it made the audience's eyes light up.

"He's really sharp." On the second day after the premiere, Adriaan hugged the naked Sophie in his arms and sat on the bed reading the comments in the newspaper. Sophie's reaction was only a heavy snort.

After the premiere, although he had a good talk with Richel, Adriaan still half-forced himself to grab Sophie and slip away from the side door of the theater. After all, she was not like Richel, who was completely controlled by Adriaan. It was necessary to give her a little stimulation before the screening.

After a night with Sophie, Adriaan quickly left the hotel. First of all, he did not hide much when he came back at night. If he let some of the waiters sell the news to the paparazzi, although he was not afraid of what they would write, it would still be very annoying. Second, he did not know what Sophie was thinking. Every time they spent a night together in the United States, she would immediately return to Paris, so it was better to leave first.

However, he originally wanted to find time to talk to Sophie about "Anna Karenina". It seemed that he had to find another opportunity.

After that, Adriaan went to Richel's place. The night before, when he left with Sophie, he noticed Richel's expression was subtle and complicated. After comforting Sophie, he naturally had to comfort her. Anyway, this was not the first or second time he did this kind of thing. Although it seemed to be very troublesome to run around like this, he enjoyed it.

"Have you always treated me as a plaything?" After being taken by Adriaan to Palm Springs, southeast of Los Angeles, for a long time, Richel suddenly asked when they were resting in a cafe.

"What kind of behavior made you feel this way about me, Richel?" Adriaan stirred the coffee and did not answer directly.

This should be a very easy question to answer. If he wanted an example, it would be enough to fill a container, but Richel was unexpectedly silent. He pursed his lips and lowered his head, not saying anything.

Adriaan smiled knowingly and then changed the topic. "Have you read today's newspaper? Basically, they all praised your performance. As I said, this kind of role is very suitable for you. You might as well take a break for a while. I will find a way to prepare a similar type of role for you with more commercial value, but … "

At this point, he sighed. "I am still worried that this will narrow your scope."

"Since beauty and Fangfei have abandoned me, watching others grow while I wither …" Richel suddenly said with a sigh. This was the twelfth sonnet from Shakespeare. It lamented the shortness of life. Unknowingly, it passed. She was probably confused by the current contradictory predicament.

"But the refined flower, even if it resists the winter, only loses its color, but forever breathes its fragrance." Adriaan then continued with a smile. His memory was almost unparalleled. This was the fifth sonnet from Shakespeare. It said that although time passed quickly, there would always be something left behind. It could be considered as enlightening the other person from another angle.

Rachael couldn't help but look surprised. She only sighed for a moment. There weren't many people who could match another poem of the same author with the same poem. However, she had seen this expression in front of Adriaan too many times before. Generally speaking, when she showed this expression, it meant that her emotions had fallen into the other person's control.

"Okay, let's not talk about this topic. Let's go for a few more rounds on the street." Adriaan put down the cup and grabbed her hand.

Although he played with Richel for a day, he did not stay at her house. After sending her home, he gave her a goodnight kiss and left. Since she liked mysteries, he would make it impossible for her to guess it forever.

With the films of various companies competing for the schedule, "Mr. Sweet" and "Zorro's Mask" were both trying their best to break the 100 million mark in North America. Christmas finally came. This Christmas, Adriaan took Kate and Lily to his uncle's house in New York. Since it had been made public in front of his godfather, it was only a matter of time before it was revealed to his uncle.

There was nothing special at the Christmas Eve dinner. His uncle still looked cold, but Aunt Marsha and Kate talked in detail. She liked Lily very much and kept hugging and teasing her in her arms. However, after dinner, when he entered the study, his uncle's face darkened and he scolded Adriaan.

"This is a disgrace to the Kewell family!" He said, "If your father knew about this, he would definitely jump out of his coffin and kick you in! You have to know that for decades, there has never been such a thing as an illegitimate child among the members of the Kewell family! What the hell is going on in your head, Eide! "

"Sorry, uncle." Adriaan had a modest smile on his face. He had long understood his uncle's temper and the things he insisted on.

Don't be fooled by his stern expression at the moment. He would naturally be fine after venting. If he was really angry, he might not even let Adriaan in. And don't be fooled by his cold expression during the meal. When he looked at the little fellow, there was still a trace of affection in the corner of his eyes. Lily swayed to her uncle with the help of her aunt. When she grabbed his trousers and cried out happily, he also lovingly touched her head. No matter how strict the older generation was with their children, when it came to the children of their grandchildren, most of them would become very spoiled.

"Can an apology solve the problem, Eide?! I support your career, and I am proud of your achievements. But now you do such a thing. What the hell! "His uncle continued to spit.

"Can I say a few words, uncle?" Adriaan smiled slightly. After getting permission, he continued, "You know, with the progress of the times, each generation has its own ideas. You can't ask everyone to have the same ideas. This is actually not a big deal. Lily is my daughter. This is something I admit. How can she be an illegitimate child? Are you saying that just because Kate and I aren't married, she's not my child? "

This was actually a sophistry to change the concept. An illegitimate child and Lily not being recognized as his child were two different things. Adriaan and Uncle Anderson knew that, so this was just an excuse for his uncle to step down. To be honest, if the Kewell family members scattered all over the United States were gathered together according to the family tree, how could there not be any illegitimate children among the members?

What his uncle wanted was actually very simple. He just wanted to persist in certain things. It was just that he had developed a somewhat autocratic style and temper over a long period of time, so he couldn't say anything nice in front of his family. If he was really an inflexible old man, how could he have achieved a certain status on Wall Street?

"So, you don't plan to marry Kate?" His uncle asked after a long silence.

Kate had always given him a good impression, so he had told Adriaan before that he could bring her here often. In his uncle's opinion, Kate becoming an actress was most likely instigated by Adriaan.

"I don't know. I can't give you a definite answer, uncle." Adriaan spread his hands, neither confirming nor denying, "In fact, you don't have to be so worried. As I said just now, every generation has its own ideas. As long as the core things remain the same, changes in other aspects can be completely taken over."

Of course, his uncle was not a fool. He immediately snorted, "Quantitative changes will cause qualitative changes sooner or later."

But as soon as he finished speaking, he directly left the study without saying a word to Adriaan, which made him burst into laughter for a long time. After following him out, he found the little fellow sitting on the sofa, grabbing his uncle and calling him "Grandpa" inarticulately. After letting go of his uncle, he probably had the most smiles on his face this year. Well, although things were settled here, there was still a test on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the year, Adriaan brought the mother and daughter to London for the New Year.

Because of the little fellow as an excuse, there was no need to worry about where to spend the holiday like in previous years. However, the other women's reactions were very subtle. Needless to say, Sarah and Liv were not very happy, but they didn't care too much. Monica, who had been undergoing Kung Fu training, didn't say anything after hearing about it, but she seemed a little resentful. Julia also didn't say anything, but the expression between her eyebrows was much more complicated. As for Gwyneth and Blanchett, after sighing, they expressed that they understood, but it seemed that there was something he couldn't catch.

Well, let's go back to London. There will be opportunities to talk about these things in the future.

"By the way, Eide … Do you … Do you want something to drink?" Judy Rowe, who was sitting in front of Adriaan and Kate, stuttered. Her eyes drifted, as if she didn't know what to say.

"Mom, this is the fourth time you have asked this." Kate sighed.

"Sorry, I just …" Judy smiled bitterly, then looked at Samantha, who was playing with Lily.

"Mom, Lily is so cute." Samantha said happily as she picked up the little fellow. Lily, who was not afraid of strangers, was the most popular person wherever she went.

"I know this may be a little hard to accept, Ms. Judy, but …" Adriaan wanted to explain.

"I have always thought that you are a gentleman, Adriaan." Judy sighed and looked at him seriously. "I used to be an actress, I know these things very well!"

"Mom!" Kate interrupted her at this time. He frowned and seemed a little unhappy. His sharp voice made Samantha, who was holding Lily, couldn't help but look over.

Adriaan looked at Kate, then looked at Judy, and then stood up. "I'd better leave the next one. Hey, Samantha, let's take the little fellow for a walk outside."

"Do you know what you are doing, Kate!" After Adriaan and Samantha left, Judy immediately asked in a stern tone.

"I am not a child, Mom, I am already 23 years old!" Kate pursed his lips.

"Yes, you are already 23 years old, so you didn't tell me that you are pregnant. No wonder when I called you last year, you always said that you had something to do and couldn't come back … God, I only found out when the child was one year old, and you didn't even have the intention to get married. Do you know how shocked I was?!" Judy covered her forehead.

"I am sorry, Mom." Kate's tone also softened. "I just … don't want you to worry."

"I have been happy for you and proud of you. I thought you found a good man. When 'Tornado' was on, I even went to see a few times …" Judy murmured, then opened her eyes again and held her daughter's face with some sadness. She stared at her daughter for a long time before asking, "So, those rumors about him are true?"

Kate was silent.

"Damn, I knew it. I thought he was a gentleman, but I didn't expect …" Judy said loudly.

"Mom!" Kate interrupted his mother's words again. "Eide and I are not what you think."

"What did he do to you that made you speak up for him like this?" Judy asked. "Are you going to live with him like this? Let him fool around outside, and then take care of his child at home peacefully?! "

"Eide … is not a good person, but he is not a bad person either …" Kate bit her lip and said slowly, "I don't know how to evaluate him. Sometimes I can't see through him at all … All these attract me … Although sometimes it is painful and sad … sometimes it is also very happy … He is a responsible man, at least he will not escape his own responsibilities …"

Although her eyes were a little absent-minded, Kate who was immersed in memories sometimes showed a look of indignation, sometimes curled up the corner of her mouth, and sometimes slightly frowned, but also looked a little helpless.

"This is my choice, my life, Mom. I don't know whether it is right or wrong, but at least it is the right decision for Lily." Kate who came back to reality sighed softly and said so.

How could Judy, who knew her daughter well, not know what she was thinking? This expression showed that she had made up her mind. Although she wanted to say something more, in the end, she just sighed and denied and hugged Kate.

This matter seemed to be over. At least Judy still liked the little fellow very much. The loving look when she hugged her in her arms was not fake. However, she still talked to Adriaan privately.

"I can't promise you anything, ma 'am, but there are a few things that are certain. Lily is my daughter, I love my daughter, and I hope she can grow up healthily and quickly. Similarly, I also love your daughter. As long as Kate is still by my side, I will do my best to make her happy. "Adriaan said so.

Looking at his extremely sincere appearance that didn't seem to be fake, Judy, who had a bitter smile on her face, didn't say anything even though she was a little angry.