Chapter 249: Chapter 247: Is it a Challenge? Chapter 249: Chapter 247: Is it a Challenge? “It’s okay,” Adrian smiled and waved his hand, “I understand the feeling of almost losing a loved one.”
“Um, I’m sorry,” River suddenly said. He had obviously done so research on Adrian before coming.
“No need for that, after all, it’s been a long ti. Just rember to live better,” Adrian waved his hand again, then continued, “Actually, you didn’t have to co here, River. I had planned to visit you in a few days, once things had cooled down a bit.”
“That would have been rude,” River shook his head. “If you hadn’t been there that night, I might really have left this world, so it’s only right for to co here and personally express my gratitude.”
“I believe anyone in that situation would have done the sa,” Adrian chuckled and then saw a flicker of skepticism pass over both River and Joaquin’s faces. It seed they understood the situation back then, and except for Adrian, no one else had spared River, who was lying on the ground, a second glance. After all, too many people lie on the ground, unable to get up due to drunkenness or other reasons, or they might just be a holess person. During the day it might be okay, but at night, who knows? People who ddle are always a minority.
However, pleasantries still had to be exchanged, and the two of them knew this, so they laughed again.
“Regardless, I should have co to thank you personally,” River said sincerely, with a hint of self-deprecation in his expression.
“After shooting ‘Stand by ,’ I once said to soone that my work would outlast my existence, and I almost proved myself right.” He sighed, not knowing what he was thinking, probably feeling the topic was a bit heavy, and quickly shifted to another subject, “If you hadn’t left your na with the nurse, I might still not know who saved . Joaquin and Silver are such fools, only focusing on the excitent and even forgetting to ask for a business card.”
“We were all concerned about you,” Silver muttered, slightly offended.
“Actually, I had my reasons,” Adrian said with a smile. “If I had stayed at the hospital, I would inevitably have been spotted by the reporters who slled the story, and then a lot would have followed. You know, as a director, it’s better to stay behind the scenes than to confront the press too much.”
Their conversation soon shifted to movies. At just 23, River, although he rose to fa with ‘Stand by ’ in 1985, had been acting in television dramas since 1980 and had made quite a na for himself in the industry. Joaquin had also acted in several films, and while they were quite good, they were often overshadowed by River’s acclaim. As for the youngest, Silver, he wasn’t very knowledgeable in these matters, but he still sat and listened intently with wide eyes.
The topics of conversation widened, probably because having once been on death’s door, River talked the most about his family, such as how his mother struggled through labor on the road for three days to give birth to him, the bumpy yet interesting life he had as a child, and how he and his sister used to perform on the streets to support their ever-growing family. Adrian listened earnestly throughout, and couldn’t help but marvel internally at how impressive this family of nine was, not only in survival but in each child’s remarkable talents.
“I think we should leave now.” After a brief pause and noticing the ti, River suddenly said, “I’m really sorry for taking up so much of your ti, and for just talking about our family.”
“No, no, no, all of that is quite interesting,” Adrian waved his hand with a smile. “I love hearing other people’s stories; they inspire my creativity. After all, every story originates from life.”
“That being said, we should take our leave,” River said, and he stood up together with his two brothers. Adrian didn’t say much more, until they reached the office door where he finally spoke again, “Take care of yourself, River. Don’t worry about the reporters. You’re a talented actor, don’t waste your life. If you want, the entire ’90s could belong to you.”
“Thank you, Ed.” River took a deep look at him, then gave a slight bow and left.
He was indeed a remarkable young man. After returning to his desk chair, Adrian leaned his back against it with hands together and thought to himself. River left a strong impression on him—handso, calm, subdued, courteous, and well-mannered, yet there was an inherent defiance that seed to radiate from his very core. Although so details had changed from what was in the dossier, it was expected; after all, having brushed shoulders with death, he was bound to have changed. If only he wasn’t slightly emaciated, he would have been perfect.
The entire ’90s belonged to him, or so the dia had judged him after his death. They said every movie he took part in was unforgettable—from shining bright at the age of 15 to becoming the youngest Venice award winner. This young man with a stunning face and astonishing acting skills always captivated people. He was supposed to have a boundless future, but tragically, his life was frozen beautifully under the spotlight and in the hearts of nurous fans due to a drug overdose.
But now, it seed he was destined never to receive such honors. He might even beco a negative figure, as could be seen from how the dia reported his hospitalization due to drug use. It wasn’t surprising; both in the East and the West, there is a tradition of honoring the dead, especially those talented souls who died young.
For instance, Jas Dean might have beco one of Arica’s top cultural icons by starring in only three movies, and a key reason for that was his premature death. A car crash claid his life just a year older than River.
In fact, at least half of Arica’s top cultural icons, from Kennedy to Monroe to Hemingway, t their untily deaths. River was highly praised as “the man of the ’90s” because he died a tragic death. This made him fully live in people’s mory; he could never act out in ways that might displease the mainstream society and was perfect to be idolized and placed on a pedestal. Adrian was willing to bet that if he suddenly died in the next year following the release of that movie, people would say that as a director, the ’90s belonged to him.
But now, because Adrian saved River’s life, who knows if River could ever deliver another fine performance in the future? He might beco embroiled in so scandal. Of course, he might perform exceptionally well and shine brilliantly, but how does it matter? A person filled with endless possibilities is never put on a pedestal.
But… was that really the case? Adrian suddenly stood from his chair and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window to look at the street outside. The film company had moved to Burbank three months earlier for steady growth. The streets weren’t as bustling as before, but the greening was much better than the previous locale, creating a pleasant view.
“Do you think you could break the pattern?” Adrian murmured, touching his chin as he looked at his own blurred reflection in the glass, a hint of excitent in his expression.
The reason he rembered River Phoenix’s na in the hospital was because of his brother, Joaquin Phoenix, a remarkable actor himself and an Oscar nominee for Best Actor. This reminder, along with a previous movie connection with Keanu Reeves and so knowledge about “My Own Private Idaho,” had jogged his mory of River.
It has to be said, the Phoenix family boys were quite phenonal; River and Joaquin need no ntion, and even the young Silver showed a lot of potential, prompting Adrian to take an interest.
Despite the exaggerated praises due to River’s early demise, it didn’t an he lacked talent. As Adrian often said, without quality as a foundation, no amount of publicity or PR would help. Not everyone can be praised for both looks and acting ability. In Hollywood, being overly handso was often the greatest enemy of male actors who wanted to be recognized for their talent.
Take Tom Cruise as an example; despite his efforts to showcase his acting, the conservative old bunch at the Oscars still wouldn’t give him a nod.
Adrian really wanted to know, if he created the right conditions for him, could he continue to maintain this reputation?
“There has to be so change for it to be interesting. Since I am building my own empire, it has to contain sothing truly mine,” Adrian smiled and stretched his hand to touch the bright glass, having discovered Dennis for this reason. Now he was grabbing this teor ant to fall; this small change might change so things while keeping the consistency on a broader scale. Accumulating perhaps a significant transformation in due ti, but once a certain period had passed, changes wouldn’t matter anymore.
And with that decision made, he set aside the matter for now. Reporters were still fervently covering the news of River’s drug hospitalization, which wouldn’t quiet down anyti soon. Besides, he needed rest at the mont, and Adrian had his own work to attend to.
“Piano Lesson” screenings and box office were gradually increasing, promotional activities for “Schindler’s List” were well underway, “Philadelphia Story” was scheduled to release in early December, and preliminary promotions for “The Professional” had begun. Adrian now had to dedicate ti to resolve another matter, which had been delayed a bit too long. The other party had reached a point where each eting was arguntative, and it was ti to let him go. (To be continued. For future updates, please visit qidian, with more chapters, supporting the authors, and promoting legitimate reading!)
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