Chapter 328: Chapter 55 Fulfilling a Long-cherished Wish Chapter 328: Chapter 55 Fulfilling a Long-cherished Wish “This should be the second ti I’ve received this award,” Adrian said as he looked at the Oscar statuette in his hand with a contemplative expression. “I’m sorry that Winston couldn’t be here due to health reasons, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Film Academy on his behalf for awarding this trophy to both of us. Of course, I also want to thank Winston for writing a great novel and all my collaborators. Thank you!”
He didn’t say much, but elegantly bowed and then stepped down, his graceful deanor garnering much applause. Most people knew that he would be back on stage later that night.
Indeed, just after two awards, Adrian returned to the stage, this ti sharing it with Arthur Schmidt. “Forrest Gump” deservedly won Best Editing for its skillful blending of fiction and reality within historical contexts.
“…This is a trendous encouragent,” said Schmidt during his acceptance speech, “I believe I can do even better in the future!” After all, his editing was primarily responsible for the win.
“Congratulations, Ed, it looks like you’re going to break the record,” Hanks said to Adrian after embracing and congratulating him when he returned to his seat.
Adrian initially thought Hanks was referring to him becoming the youngest Best Director winner, but upon further reflection, he realized what Hanks ant.
“Thank you, I probably wouldn’t have realized it until the end of the ceremony if you hadn’t ntioned it,” Adrian shrugged, speaking lightly but his excitent was evident.
One Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, one for Best Editing, and presumably, one for Best Director to co—three Oscars in one night would be unprecedented. While others in the sa edition of the Oscars had received multiple nominations, the most anyone had actually won was two, such as Kevin Costner four years prior or possibly l Gibson the following year—although Adrian’s presence had already made that impossible for Gibson.
While Costner and Gibson, aside from Best Director, also took ho Best Picture, that award is sowhat given to the film companies. Each of the Seven Major Film Companies had several Best Picture Oscars, so strictly speaking, they only got one and a half each. Adrian’s three Oscars would belong solely to him and, considering “Forrest Gump” was almost certain to win Best Picture, it would total three and a half Oscars—overshadowing even giants like Costner or future winners like Caron.
As for whether these Oscars might affect the remaining two big awards—since the Film Academy also loved to play a balancing ga, though they played it well—Adrian wasn’t too concerned. Generally speaking, unless there was a very special circumstance, the Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture went to the sa film. That’s why Costner had lost Best Actor; the Film Academy wouldn’t give the most significant awards to the sa person.
Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing were not comparable to Best Actor in significance, and Best Original Screenplay was the most noticed among writing awards. Plus, Adrian’s accumulated experience over the years and “Forrest Gump’s” position as an unrivaled mainstream Arican film for the next decade were all factors the conservative yet intelligent Academy mbers would consider.
After a musical number, the Oscar ceremony was finally reaching its climax.
“I know a lot of you have been eagerly waiting, and as much as I want to keep you waiting a little longer, for my personal safety, I’d better get started,” Letterman sighed loudly on stage, pretending to regret his compromise, which elicited laughter from the audience.
“Alright, let invite last year’s Best Actor winner to the stage,” Letterman said, making a welcoming gesture, then quickly added, “I must admit, the Film Academy did a great job arranging this, as if letting last year’s Best Actor award this year’s Best Actor, oh God.”
After his remark, he swiftly slipped away, causing another round of laughter.
“Well, all I want to say is, it’s an honor to present the Best Actress award,” Hanks said, shrugging as he passed by Letterman and approached the microphone.
He did not say much more and imdiately started introducing the list of nominees—Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, and others appeared on the screen in turn. In the end, the trophy that countless actresses dream of was taken by Jessica Lange, the third actress from King Kong. Overwheld with emotion, she couldn’t even speak when she took the stage.
From his seat, Adrian couldn’t help but sigh internally; he had hoped to see so change, such as Susan Sarandon winning Best Actress. Among the five candidates, Winona’s age made her second least likely to win; Judi Foster, already a two-ti Oscar winner, would likely only get nominated at this point in her life unless there was a special circumstance; as for Miranda Richardson, despite having played nurous roles, she didn’t stand out compared to the others and it was also her first nomination for Best Actress, making the real competition between Lange and Sarandon.
Sarandon had been nominated several tis before and had always left empty-handed, her accumulated experience along with Lange having already won Best Supporting Actress, made it likely that she would clinch Best Actress at this ceremony.
Unfortunately, The Client wasn’t the type of movie the Film Academy typically favored, and although the judges’ perception of the film didn’t significantly impact the acting awards, it was not entirely irrelevant. Moreover, Lange’s forr label as just a pretty face had now beco an advantage—imagine the headline: a pretty face finally gains full recognition from the Film Academy through hard work. All these factors combined, and the public relations efforts were neck and neck on both sides, leaving luck to play the deciding factor.
Adrian subtly shook his head again and turned his attention to Little Won, just in ti to see Dennis comforting Winona. It was unclear if it was intentional by the organizers or not, but as Lange walked off stage, the cara unintentionally swept over the other nominees, capturing a few seconds of Dennis and Winona’s intimate exchange. Adrian wondered what Depp, also present in the Holy Grand Hall, thought of this.
“Are you ready, Tom?” Shrugging off these thoughts, Adrian looked toward Hanks, who was coming down after presenting Best Actress, and smiled as he asked.
“And you?” Hanks did not answer directly but responded with a smile. He was clearly evading the question.
Understanding his mixed emotions, Adrian shrugged and then looked toward the stage, where Holly Hunter, the previous year’s Best Actress, had stepped up to present Best Actor.
“I believe everyone has been looking forward to this, each of the nominated candidates has shown exceptional acting in the films, but sadly only one can take the trophy. So, who will the lucky one be?” Holly Hunter said with a smile.
Watching the candidates appear on the big screen as their nas were called, Adrian’s lips slightly curled up. He was not as outwardly calm yet tense as Hanks; he was relaxed. Because of his influence, this year’s Oscars were missing The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, and Four Weddings and a Funeral, leaving key nominations such as Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture in disarray.
For instance, in the Best Actor category, without Morgan Freeman and John Travolta, two very average actors had been included. In Adrian’s view, these two were nowhere near Freeman and Travolta, making them unlikely threats to Hanks.
“Alright, let see…” Hunter on stage had opened the envelope. The five nominees all held their breath, and Hanks, sitting in front of Adrian, was breathing notably heavier, his wife swiftly grabbing his hand.
“My God!” Hunter exclaid, her eyes widening as she looked at the paper in her hand and then at the audience, whether she was deliberately stirring up suspense or truly surprised.
“This is incredible… I really didn’t expect… God, this is so…” she stamred, “Alright, let announce it. The Best Actor goes to Tom Hanks for Forrest Gump!”
The final declaration was almost a shout. Then, there was silence for two seconds before a thunderous applause erupted, so vigorous it seed as if it could lift the ceiling. When Hanks heard his na, he first froze, then his eyes widened, and he stood up sowhat bewildered.
“Is it ?” he asked his wife beside him.
“Yes, it’s you, my dear, you heard right, you’ve won best actor again!” Rita Wilson exclaid excitedly to her husband as she hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek.
“Congratulations, Tommy, you’ve won best actor again,” Adrian chid in just in ti as the entire crew stood up at his gesture,applauding to the the of Forrest Gump.
“Thank you, Ed, thank you,” Hanks finally regained his composure after responding to his wife and imdiately gave Adrian a bear hug, his face full of gratitude. His hand was still shaking; it wasn’t surprising, considering he had just won best actor again, an honor not everyone could achieve.
“Go on up, don’t keep everyone waiting,” Adrian gently patted him, reminding him.
Having cald down, Hanks straightened his clothes and walked up to the stage amidst the dying applause. Taking the award from Holly Hunter, he rubbed the trophy for a mont before starting, “Frankly, I hadn’t expected to win this award again. Although when Jessica was awarded best actress earlier, I did wonder if I might stand here again, but I wasn’t sure. Unexpectedly, a few minutes later, my dream ca true, and I still can’t believe it until now, fearing I might suddenly hear Rita telling to wake up.”
Laughter broke out imdiately.
“Fortunately, Rita has just proven with her actions that this is definitely not a dream of mine, thank you, Rita, thank you,” a completely adjusted Hanks joked, “I want to thank my wife, who has been supportive all the way, and then I want to thank Adrian, for giving two chances…”
Hearing this, Adrian raised an eyebrow. Although Hanks looked sowhat simple and honest, akin to an honest man, particularly with the role of Forrest adding points in becoming an Arican icon, it didn’t an he was truly naive or simple, like how he subtly promoted Adrian right now.
In any industry, those who rise to high positions are ticulous thinkers. Adrian thought to himself while clapping, and then laughed asking Hanks when he returned, “How does it feel to break the record, Tommy?”
“You’ll know soon enough,” Hanks didn’t answer directly.
Only two awards remained, best director and best picture, and the ceremony had reached its final monts.
“I know the importance of a director to a film, many scripts that aren’t so outstanding initially, in the right hands, can shine differently. Today’s five nominees are all such cases…,” David Letterman used this opportunity to liven up the atmosphere again.
Adrian imdiately sat up straighter, although he was quite aware he had done his best and so things were unlikely to change, but he still felt a touch of nervousness and excitent; after all, it was the Oscar for best director.
Soon, the presenter appeared on stage, the familiar figure instantly turning most eyes in the venue towards the Forrest Gump crew, because the man introducing the nominees was none other than Jonathan Dem!
Having Jonathan as the presenter, could you be more obvious? Adrian laughed softly to himself shaking his head. Of course, he knew that the organizers didn’t know who would win when inviting soone to present, but it didn’t stop people from speculating. Besides, from the release of Forrest Gump, there had been a strong call for Adrian to win best director.
“… Robert Redford, Quiz Show; Woody Allen, Bullets Over Broadway; Adrian Cowell, Forrest Gump.” Following Dem’s voice, the big screen listed the candidates’ images again.
This ti, unlike the previous ceremonies, it wasn’t listed one by one; rather, it was split into four blocks, with one placed in the center—a curious setup since the central spot was exactly where Adrian was.
On the screen, the four candidates, apart from Woody Allen, all maintained a semblance of calm, at least on the surface. As for Woody Allen, he didn’t attend the Oscar ceremony, so the organizers casually used a picture instead. It was well-known that Woody Allen never attended the Oscar ceremonies, not even when he won Best Director, since he believed any competition concerning art was rely dull—what a vexing thought.
But now, even if he changed his mind, it wouldn’t be good to show up at the Holy Grand Hall. Despite the scandal with his adopted daughter having blown over two years ago, the tabloids still wanted to dig up so fresh news.
“Now, let’s see who will win Best Director,” Jonathan Dem said as he opened the envelope and glanced at the na inside. He raised his eyebrows, “Without any suspense, ‘Forrest Gump,’ Adrian Cowell!”
The other three candidates on screen imdiately showed their disappointnt. Robert Redford goes without saying; having switched from acting to directing, he’d been nominated several tis but had never clinched the award; Krzysztof Kieslowski was slightly better off—he was, after all, a European director and didn’t take the Oscars too seriously; the most relaxed one was Neil Harris, who was just there for presence, so any disappointnt passed quickly.
Adrian let out a long breath and stood up with a smile amidst the applause. Although he had finally obtained the award every director dreams of, his joy was quite limited. After all, it was just the “track of history,” mostly just a change in the executor.
However, he didn’t dwell on it much, as his goal wasn’t exactly the Best Director. This way, he wasn’t as overwheld as either Hanks or Kirsten, needing a good while to regain composure.
“Congratulations, Ed.”
“Congratulations.”
“Fantastic, you finally got it.”
After hugging each familiar person and saying “thank you,” Adrian finally walked onto the stage.
“Long-deserved,” Dem handed the Oscar statuette to him.
“Long-deserved,” Adrian smiled as he received it, then lifted it over his head to wave to the audience.
As the laughter and clapping gradually subsided, he then touched the statuette, showing a reflective expression—every ti, Adrian’s acting was not much less than that of the best actors.
“Two years ago, when I first received the Best Director nomination, the thrill was akin to receiving a hot cocoa while advancing through icy, snowy terrain, and losing felt like having that cocoa knocked over midway. So, I told myself that I must co back—it certainly won’t be like the T-800 coming back.”
This remark imdiately caused a burst of laughter.
“Fortunately, my efforts weren’t in vain, and today I finally won approval from the judges and everyone here. I managed not to spill the cocoa again, and at this mont, I just want to say, I will do even better. Although ‘Forrest Gump’ is an outstanding film, I will do better. As long as I keep pushing forward without stopping, I am sure I will do better!” (
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