"This isn’t a simple story about a young boy’s naive perception of love between n and won. Through Renato’s eyes, we witness a far more brutal story, one about a truly real and full woman who stands in sharp contrast to the sweet and sorrowful youth, invoking a sense of heartfelt admiration while one can’t help but sigh with compassion.
Adrian never fails to surprise. His style seems eternally unfixed; perhaps just yesterday he had fild a science fiction movie filled with philosophical musings, today he might be planning to bring an epic novel to the big screen, and tomorrow he could be concocting sothing with a completely different European flavor. More importantly, he always excels, far beyond most others.
I believe that even if Bernado or Giuseppe were alive to direct ’Malena’, they wouldn’t have done a better job than him. Despite the familiar storyline, the details within are extraordinarily captivating, whether it’s Marina dancing alone in her house, holding her husband’s photo, or sewing clothes in solitude while shedding tears. The third collaboration with Monica Bellucci, I have to say, Adrian is exceptionally good at capturing the uniqueness of his actresses. Each collaboration feels entirely different. Especially in the last twenty minutes, the ugliness and beauty of humanity are magnified to the extre, saddening and rejoicing yet shocking.
This is a classic work!"
— New York Tis, Mick Russell
Even though it was only a limited screening, a lot of related reviews erged the next day. dia outlets owned by AC dia, needless to say, most film critics gave quite positive reviews, unlike the original—after all, Adrian is Arican.
"I think I can almost call the Miracle Director ’great’. No other Arican director can produce such a variety of films that are completely different in style." — San Francisco Chronicle
"Once again, Adrian proves that he can create miracles. This is a work mixed with different hues yet never feels ssy." — Orlando Sentinel
Likewise, the majority of film critics also affird Monica’s performance in the film.
"Monica has very few actual lines in the movie, but she creates a complete character through body language, almost comparable to Holly Hunter in ’The Piano Lesson’." — Empire
"Her performance perfectly captures the the of the film, and although she’s not in many scenes, she is irreplaceable." — USA Today
There was so criticism as well, such as so feeling that the Miracle Director seems to have an aversion to won in the movie, or that while it catches the eye, it fails to capture the mind, but most people considered it quite good. Moreover, dia from Europe also sent reporters to the limited screenings, and their reactions were also very strong, particularly the Italian dia.
"If you had to choose the most Italian-knowledgeable among Arican directors, aside from Martin Scorsese, it would only be Adrian Cowell." The Italians heaped endless praise upon him, and although ’Malena’ was in English dialogue, all the events took place in Sicily, and all the actors were Italian, naturally, they were ecstatic.
Tornatore even took the unusual step of praising the film in a newspaper article published under his own na and openly claid that Adrian and Monica were a very well-matched pair. The news left Adrian sowhere between laughter and tears. Ever since he had faxed the script to Tornatore, wanting his advice, Tornatore had greatly admired the screenplay. When he received the invitation to visit the set, he ca over imdiately, and naturally, he attended a screening in Los Angeles, so publishing such an article was to be expected from Italians.
However, while ’Malena’ had good word of mouth and received ample dia coverage, it was rely a small splash in the busy season, as limited screenings are not the sa as wide releases. But no matter, AC dia hadn’t yet put forth its full effort to hype ’Malena’, and it could already garner so much praise. It’s certain to attract even more people to theatres when it’s fully released.
Christmas just passed like that, with the daughters taking priority, just like Thanksgiving, so the won couldn’t complain much. However, there’s always sothing unexpected that happens, and amusingly, it happened to the sa person.
"This is the place," Yukie said with a smile to the girl in front of her. She then bowed slightly and gestured for her to enter.
"Thank you," Jessica managed a reluctant smile, then looked Yukie over intently as if she rembered sothing, "Are you from..."
"I’ve done so TV series and a few movies," Yukie maintained her smile but didn’t say too much, and turned to leave.
""
Watching her departing figure, Jessica’s eyes revealed a complex expression, but she quickly ca to her senses, once again showing a distraught and even flustered look. She had chosen to co to Adrian’s at this ti, just after Christmas, because sothing had happened that she didn’t know how to deal with and found difficult to discuss with others.
Jessica bit her lip and pushed open the door, only for a giggling laughter to imdiately reach her ears.
"Giddyap, giddyap! Daddy, go faster! Daddy, go faster!"
"If I go any faster, you’ll fall off, you little rascal."
"I won’t! I’ll hold on to you tight!"
In the middle of the room, Adrian was crawling on all fours across the floor, while a little girl of about five years old was riding on his back, waving her arms and shouting. Jessica’s mouth involuntarily gaped open; she had never seen him like this, and what had the little girl called him? Daddy? He already had a daughter?
It seed she had never truly understood this man. An indescribable feeling welled up in Jessica’s heart, making her even more flustered as she unconsciously touched her lower abdon, more at a loss about what she was about to say.
"Jessica?" Adrian, who had been frolicking with his daughter, now noticed Jessica at the door, slightly taken aback but quickly recovering, "Oh, sorry, I forgot you were coming over today. Just when the little one was being mischievous again."
Upon realizing soone was there, Lily, who had jumped off her dad’s back, was sowhat displeased: "I was not being mischievous!"
"Alright, alright, you weren’t being mischievous. Happy now?" Adrian laughed, flipped over to sit on the floor, and fondly patted the little one’s head.
Then he stood up, pulling his daughter close to introduce her: "Jessica, this is my daughter, Lily; Lily, this is... Aunt Jessica."
"Hello, Aunt Jessica." Lily, with her characteristic precociousness, extended her hand to Jessica, "You’re very pretty."
She fully displayed her charming and outgoing character, and even Jessica, troubled by so matters, couldn’t help but smile brightly.
"Ok, darling, Aunt Jessica and I have sothing to discuss, why don’t you go outside and play with Aunt Yukie, alright?" Adrian cheerfully told his daughter, then gave Jessica a comforting look. Clearly, the panic and unease she was desperately trying to hide in her heart had been noticed by him.
"Sothing to discuss?" Lily narrowed her eyes, hands on hips, her gaze shifting back and forth between her father and Jessica, with a pensive expression. The way she shook her head, it was as if she sensed sothing.
Jessica felt an odd sensation rising within her, this little girl was barely over five years old, how could she possibly sense anything? Yet that feeling lingered at the tip of her heart, connected to today’s events, making her very uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Lily quickly waved her hand carelessly: "Okay, then you two talk slowly."
And with that, she walked out, chest puffed out and head held high.
"She’s cute, isn’t she?" Adrian said with a smile as he closed the door behind them.
Jessica nodded in agreent, although she had always been cautious. As soon as she sat down, she felt as if her body had fallen apart, wanting to slump into the sofa and never get up.
"What happened, Jessica?" Adrian asked imdiately, then had Yukie bring in a cup of hot cocoa over the phone.
Jessica held the cup but remained silent, her words reaching the brink of her lips several tis before she swallowed them back down. She really didn’t know how to start, even though she had rehearsed in her mind before coming; but when the mont arrived, she couldn’t help but have second thoughts. Of course, these thoughts were just that—thoughts—since aside from this... terrible matter, Adrian was the only one who could help her now.
Adrian didn’t speak, just sat quietly to one side, watching Jessica with calm eyes, waiting for her to state her purpose.
"I..." Grinding her teeth hard and taking a big gulp of hot cocoa, Jessica finally mustered the courage to look up at Adrian, "I’m pregnant, Ed."
After saying that, she collapsed onto the sofa, then hugged her arms and began to tremble slightly, as the fear and anxiety that had been suppressed in her heart for a long ti completely flooded her being. Adrian was initially stunned, seemingly unable to believe it, but quickly moved forward to embrace Jessica, gently patting her back to soothe her.
After a long while, when Jessica felt sowhat better, he softly asked her, "Are you sure, Jessica?"
"I’m sure." Jessica nodded frantically, "Last... last weekend, my... my period didn’t co, I didn’t pay much attention at first, but it didn’t co this week either... I got a little worried, so I took a test myself... and then went to the hospital for a detailed examination in private..."
She spoke while taking out the hospital report and handed it to Adrian, then looked at him with fearful and anxious eyes, "I didn’t dare tell anyone. If my father finds out... I don’t know what to do, so... I could only co to you, Ed..."
"Don’t worry, relax, calm down first; there’s nothing that can’t be solved." Adrian quickly glanced at the report and after a mont of contemplation, he spoke, increasing the strength of his comforting pats.
His composed voice and actions had a significant effect, and Jessica, who had been living in dread, finally was able to let go of so of her fears.
After sensing her change, Adrian released her and sat across from her. He hesitated before speaking again, "I’ve thought it through carefully, and there are a few possible solutions."
Hope flickered in Jessica’s eyes, but Adrian gently shook his head.
"The first one, I will find a way to cover this up so that the parents never find out, especially since ’Dark Angel’ is partially fild in Canada; however, after the child is born, you must hand it over to , I will make the appropriate compensation, but you, , and the child cannot have any contact afterward..."
"No!" Jessica scread instinctively before Adrian could finish, her expression furious, her hands also covering her stomach as if she were a cat with its fur standing on end.
Although she quickly beca confused, her hands did not move away.
"The second one," Adrian continued, unangered, "I will go with you to your house right now and then ask Mr. Mark Alba to give his daughter’s hand to in marriage."
"You... you said..." Jessica gasped incredulously, "You’re proposing... to marry , Ed?!"
"Of course, if you think this is too simple, I can rent out Nokia Square or Tis Square and organize a grand, extraordinary proposal ceremony," Adrian said with a smile.
"Is... is this really happening?" Jessica made senseless gestures, clearly overwheld by the shocking news.
"But," Adrian went on, "being my wife is tough, Jessica. You must tolerate my nurous lovers, and you can neither speak ill of them nor pretend they don’t exist. You also have to treat my children equally, without any bias. You must accompany to many important events, keeping any dissatisfaction or sadness hidden. All these will be written into the pre-nuptial agreent. If you initiate the divorce, you will get nothing, and you must also voluntarily give up alimony and... custody of the children!"
Jessica stared at him, feeling alienated for the first ti, as if she’d never truly known this man.
"There’s a third option," Adrian continued, his voice still calm, "Stay by my side, we keep this a secret, have the child, and then raise him or her together. You can still do what you want without worrying about missing opportunities."
------------------
Jessica left, her mind heavy upon arrival and heavy upon departure. Adrian saw her to the door and watched her drive away before returning to his room.
Undoubtedly, he was going to have another child. He hadn’t been careful on that night with Jessica; considering the timing, it fit perfectly. It was a depressing accident, Blanchett wanted a child, and despite months of trying, her belly remained flat, whereas Jessica got it right with one shot.
Could it be that December was more conducive to conception? Kate conceived in December, Monica and Sophie too, with a double surprise, and now Jessica... He shook his head, temporarily pushing these thoughts aside, his mind returning to Jessica, and he sighed.
His approach today was sowhat despicable, but he couldn’t think of a better way at the mont. After all, accidents can be as unpleasant as they are surprising.
Had this happened before September, Adrian would have truly considered the second option he’d offered Jessica. Although Jessica was of age, the pregnancy was totally unexpected. But he had gotten her pregnant, a very young girl from a strict Catholic family. He would never allow his own child to be aborted or left to fend for themselves.
Of course, Kate and the others would be displeased, but he had ways to smooth things over, even if the cost would be significant and lead to ongoing consequences. But that was fine; one has to take responsibility for their actions, which has always been Adrian’s principle. Sadly, it was now December, and the decisions one makes can differ vastly depending on the ti.
Though he hated to admit it, the event at the end of September had a significant impact on him. In so ways, it was a good thing, allowing him a better vantage point to observe the world and compare it to his mories, enabling more advantageous decisions. But sotis it was also a bad thing, like now...
Was Jessica innocent? Yes, in so ways, quite. But from another perspective, it was different. Although not overly bright, she had been acting since the age of 11, played substantial roles, and even appeared on Canadian talk shows, so she had her complexities.
Especially compared with his mories (Note), her complexity beca more evident. Plus, Adrian had sensed so of Jessica’s scheming after their first ti together, despite her genuine affection. So he acted as he did today; he didn’t want to make the sa mistake twice, even if the odds were fifty-fifty.
The main reason he resorted to this tactic was to impel Jessica to choose the third option. The likelihood was high, as evident from her reaction to the first option; she cared quite a bit about the child she was carrying, and it was evident from her tone and expression that her reaction was more personal than religious.
According to his mories, she wasn’t a devout Catholic, so he set harsh conditions for the second option and manipulated her into thinking he wanted her to choose it, to dispose of her later. That left her with one choice. Jessica wasn’t particularly smart, couldn’t discuss the situation with many others, and had to keep it from her parents, so her options were limited. Even if there was a slim chance she picked the second option out of impulse, Adrian had ways to make her reconsider.
I’m sorry, Jessica, he thought to himself as he sat in the high-back chair. The situation was sudden, and he had no better solution at the mont.
"There’s no sha in it; it was one of my goals, wasn’t it?" Adrian stood, walked to the window, and gazed into the distance.
The Millennium was upon us, my empire was about to rise, and you all will share in all this! (
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