Compared to the original version in Adriaan's memory, the plot of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" had changed a lot, but Mike Neville still grasped the two main points of the story.
The first was the ubiquitous British humor. Although it might affect the effect of sarcasm with a serious expression, as long as the audience recalled it, they would definitely burst out laughing. The second was the attitude of young people towards marriage in the 1990s. The elderly always thought that marriage was sacred, but for young people now, it was just a ceremony.
Neville made good use of three weddings and a funeral, as well as the contrast between the conservative Kelly played by Julia and the open Charles played by Denis. He affirmed the meaning of marriage, and at the same time, expressed this point of view perfectly. Complemented with interesting humor, it was still an outstanding romantic comedy film.
In the end, the male protagonist, Charles, was not able to get married. His deaf friend finally thought of a third idea during the wedding. When the priest announced that he could express his opinion if he thought the bride and groom were not suitable, he stood up and used sign language to show that he thought the groom loved someone else.
Faced with this situation, Charles, who was suffering internally, had to admit it. Then, he was punched to the ground by the angry bride. However, it was a blessing in disguise. After the wedding was canceled, Kelly finally mustered up the courage to see Charles. Thus, in the pouring rain, the lovers finally got married.
Frankly speaking, the test screening was even simpler than "Schindler's List". "Schindler's List" only lacked a beginning and ending, and there was no music in certain places. However, in the first wedding and the funeral of "Four Weddings and a Funeral", some of the scenes were actually narrated on the display board!
Of course, this was not to say that the director was lazy. Filming had started at the beginning of the year, and it had been almost half a year since then. It was already quite good to be able to produce this level of production. Although there were various reasons, such as this being a low-budget film, which was very convenient to shoot, Neville and the screenwriter Curtis were also excellent.
Adriaan, who had compared the two versions of the film in his mind, was very clear about this. Therefore, when the lights came on, applause rang out in the theater.
"Well done, Dan. I told you, I can't be wrong." Adriaan chatted with Neville for a while, and praised him greatly. Then, he went to Denis and punched the young man on the shoulder with a smile.
Denis's performance in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was a lot of highlights. Not to mention his perfect British accent, his expression and body language were quite attractive. He was definitely better than Hugh Grant. Even Neville, who had reservations at the beginning, was full of praise for him later.
"Thank you, Ed. I can finally put down the big stone in my heart." Although Dennis did not return the punch, he reached out his hand and high-fived Adrian. His face was full of smiles, and he seemed to be very happy.
Although he didn't say that he had a lot of work, Denis, he didn't say anything.
Instead, he looked at Adriaan for a long time and said, "That's true."
Adriaan suddenly looked surprised, but before he could ask, Denis explained, "You gave me a lot of pressure, but you also gave me a lot of motivation. You recommended me, so of course I have to do my best."
"Thank you. That's the best compliment I've ever heard." Adriaan suddenly laughed and reached out to pat him on the shoulder. To be honest, the choice of Denis to act in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was largely based on his intuition and initial judgment. Now, it had proven that he was indeed very malleable. No one would have thought that they would pick up such a talent in the coffee shop. Opportunity was indeed the most important factor for actors to succeed.
"That's what I really mean, Eide." Denis looked at him and said seriously, "If I hadn't agreed to your invitation, I might still be working as a waiter in the coffee shop. Now, in less than two years, I can already play the leading role in a movie with a medium investment. From a famous and potential newcomer, I have become a star who is infinitely close to the A-list. There are some things that can't be expressed with just a thank you. I can only repay you with my own efforts. "
Adriaan smiled and patted Denis on the shoulder without saying anything.
"You will be a superstar, Dan," he said in an affirmative tone.
The reason why he decided to promote Denis was that he was a capable person, a smart person, and … a person who understood. There was no need to mention his ability. If his image in the previous four movies directed by Adriaan was still similar, then the current "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was enough to explain everything. Denis's interpretation of the elegant and slightly ruffian feeling was very good. Moreover, he appeared to be tactful in communication, but not annoying. At the same time, he did not lose his personality and charm, which were necessary qualities to be a big star.
As for his intelligence, although Denis only graduated from high school, he understood the importance of self-cultivation better than many young people who became famous overnight. He also liked to play, liked to go to parties, and sometimes smoked marijuana, but there were always restrictions. Moreover, he listened to a lot of good suggestions from his agent, such as exercising to maintain his figure. There was even a room in the villa to play videotapes, so that he could watch them at any time.
It was needless to say that he understood. What he had said before was already enough.
"That's it." Adriaan said and was about to leave, but Denis immediately stopped him. "By the way, Eide, there is a party at my house tonight. Maybe you would like to attend?"
"No problem." Adrian didn't even think about it before he agreed.
"That's great. Then I won't waste any more of your time." Dennis smiled and gestured for him to leave.
This kid. Adriaan laughed in his heart and turned to walk to his destination. It was a pity that Richel Wei Zi did not come to the United States to participate in the trial screening. Of course, she was British and not the protagonist, so there was no need for her to specially come to the United States for the trial screening. But the problem was that although he gave her a business card when he left London last time, she had not even called him until now. He did not know what she was planning.
Maybe he should not have slept with her last time. Adriaan sighed in his heart. Now that he thought about it, he felt very surprised. That day, he really did not want to have a further relationship with Richel. If you want to pursue a woman, it is best not to sleep with her at the first meeting.
But it happened, and it happened naturally, as if it was a matter of course. Adriaan remembered that they talked about British literature and some well-known writers' works. Perhaps a woman like Richel, full of the aura of a scholar, especially liked this kind of atmosphere?
This could be considered a real one-night stand, right? Adriaan suddenly felt a little funny in his heart, but he quickly shook his head and threw it to the back of his mind. Although there was no Richel here, there were other women that he liked.
"Hi, Julie." Adriaan smiled and walked in front of Julia.
"Hi, Eide." Julia was stunned at first, then she lowered her head and coughed softly. She reached out and brushed the hair on her temples.
"I haven't seen you for a few weeks, and you seem to be even more beautiful." Adriaan's smile became wider, and at the same time, he glanced at the lady who was talking to Julia. The lady immediately understood and left. She moved so quickly that Julia did not have time to ask her to stay.
"What the hell, what do you want now, Eide?" Julia glared at Adriaan. If they were not in a theater, perhaps she would have leaned forward with her hands on her hips to increase her aura.
"I just want to ask you out, Julie." Adriaan spread his hands innocently.
"Sorry, I have other things to do." Julia gave him a fierce smile.
"But Rebecca said that you have no other plans today." Adriaan smiled good-naturedly.
"She betrayed me?!" Julia showed a shocked expression.
"No, I just asked someone to help me ask." Adriaan shrugged.
Julia stopped talking and only glared at him. Adriaan sighed. "Don't be like this, Julie. I just want to go out with you, have dinner, and then send you home. Of course, if you want, you can also go to Dan's party with me before you go home. "
After a pause, he pretended to be annoyed and said, "Alright, Julie, I think I still have some credibility, right? At the Vanity Fair party last time, you said that you don't want to … "
"Enough, Eide, enough!" Julia interrupted him, unable to hold back. She crossed her arms and waved them forcefully. "No matter what you say today, don't even think about getting me to sit in your car."
Thirty minutes later, there was a bang. Julia looked helplessly at Adriaan, who had closed the car door, and said in a resentful tone, "So, where are you taking me?"
"Not a bad place." Adriaan smiled, started the engine, and drove the car onto the street.
The film company was originally in the suburbs of Los Angeles, so the car quickly came to the sparsely trafficked Route 66. Then, Adriaan put on his sunglasses, rolled down the window, and stepped on the accelerator. At the same time, he turned on the car's record player, playing rock music, and sped north in the howling wind.
Julia, who had originally decided not to take the initiative to speak, finally began to turn slightly pale as the car sped up and the howling wind grew louder.
`Where are we going? 'she asked aloud.
"What did you say?" Adriaan replied in the same loud voice, but he had a playful look on his face. He didn't hear her, and it was obviously an act.
Although Julia was angry, it wasn't good for her to lose her temper. She could only ask loudly again, word by word, "We-Are-Going?"
"A place with a very nice view!" Adriaan replied.
After a few minutes, he finally slowed down and drove off Route 66, following them to the mountains near Santa Monica.
