The Best Director - Chapter 424

Chapter 424: Chapter 424 Cried

“Wahhhh—”

In the freshly styled baby room, a series of gentle yet trembling infant cries arose. Grandma Kathy and Grandma Wang surrounded the crib, coaxing their little treasure. They gently stroked her, rocked her chubby little hands, sang songs, chatted, played with rattle drums and other noisemaking toys, and showed her colorful pictures… But Keke kept on crying. After Wang Yang and Jessica had gone out for the evening, she woke up and started crying. Although she was fed and calmed for a while, she began to cry again.

“Why is she so clingy to mommy and daddy?” The two grandmas were no novices when it came to childcare. They knew Keke was fine; she was just being fussy. It was likely that Keke had started to recognize and become attached to voices, yearning to hear her parents’.

The little sweetheart was showing such behavior even though she was less than half a month old, which delighted them. Although it wasn’t universal, the more intelligent and healthy children usually completed these milestones earlier. Keke’s actions over the past several days had told them loud and clear: “I am a very, very smart baby.” Just like all parents proud of their offspring, the couple had already started boasting about having a genius. They credited genetics, prenatal exercise, nutrition, and continually emphasized the importance of prenatal education.

God knows how much prenatal education they had done, but they always boasted that when they kissed and laughed while telling stories, the baby would kick particularly lively and robustly. Perhaps it was from then that Keke had learned to recognize their voices.

“Be good, don’t you like Grandma? Keke, Grand loves you so much…” Grandma Wang looked at her granddaughter’s plump little cheeks and those teary, watery big eyes that seemed to be gazing at her, she couldn’t help but sigh, “It really breaks my heart.” She then remembered how Wang Yang as a baby hardly cried, would quiet down as soon as he heard singing or saw colorful pictures, it worked every time, making her turn to Kathy and ask, “Do all girls cry this much?”

“Keke’s mother didn’t.” Kathy recalled how, when Jessica was a baby, she was much thinner than Keke, always ate then slept, slept then ate, and hardly ever fussed. Only when sick would she become cranky. She laughed as she reminisced, “Every time Jess threw a temper tantrum, we’d get scared. She caught colds and coughs easily, and one time she almost died of pneumonia…”

While chatting, they continued to soothe Keke, whose crying had subsided. Of course, it wasn’t good for the baby to resist sleep like this, but they didn’t want to call and disturb the couple on their date. Grandma + Grandma couldn’t take care of their granddaughter for one evening? Impossible! They just hoped the couple wouldn’t indulge in romance too late into the night.

“Please! It was such a moving story, I cried, everyone cried, but you didn’t react at all, what’s wrong with you?”

The vigorous applause in the movie theater lasted nearly a minute before the audience began to leave their seats and exit the hall. A young couple walked past Wang Yang and Jessica’s aisle seats, the Caucasian girl’s complaint rather loud: “You’re just a cold-blooded creature.” The white curly-haired young man exclaimed, “Please! I cried watching ‘Titanic.’ I cried at ‘Firefly’ too, I can’t stand New Shanxi, nor ‘The Day After Tomorrow,’ ‘Gladiator’… ‘High School Musical,’ would you believe it? I cried during High School Musical! The part where Gabriela misunderstands Troy. I’m a very emotionally rich person; I just didn’t cry tonight, that’s all.”

Wang Yang and Jessica exchanged a smile and began to walk out, he leaned towards her and whispered, “Can you believe it? Someone cried during ‘High School Musical.’” Jessica nodded her head, “I did, too.”

“But you didn’t cry tonight! You just hate ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ I’m ashamed for you.” The girl finally revealed the real reason for her dissatisfaction, and the guy was stunned: “What? I’m not a homophobe! I don’t hate ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ it’s just… I thought it was a bit boring, the plot was too slow.” As they walked, the girl sneered: “Now I know why you were yawning.” Seeing her anger, the guy helpless spread his hands, “Hey, it’s just a movie!”

“Oh my God!” the girl suddenly let out another loud complaint. How could this guy be so clueless about romance? She flung her hands in frustration, “Just thinking about spending Christmas watching ‘500 Days of Summer’ with you makes me want to die, it’s a nightmare!” She was convinced that Wang Yang’s new romantic work would be touching, telling a beautiful story, and she wouldn’t allow anyone to scoff at it like that — just a movie? Nonsense!

“What are you talking about?” the boy also shouted in anger, but she quickly walked away. He hurried after her, “Wait, Linda! Linda!”…

A half-moon hung high in the pitch-black sky, and the street outside the theater was busy with people coming and going. The bright lights from street lamps and neon signs made the whole world seem as bright as day. Shops on both sides of the street were decorated for Christmas, and promoters dressed as Santa Claus were handing out discount coupons to pedestrians, creating a festive atmosphere everywhere. Enormous posters of upcoming new movies adorned the exterior walls of the theater, while outdoor LED screens played trailers for the Christmas season’s upcoming films.

‘King Kong’ had been released on December 14th, and in the Christmas week of December 23-29th, there would be twelve new films premiering. Seven of those were set to screen in over 500 theaters.

‘Munich’ distributed by Universal, would screen in 532 theaters. Spielberg aimed to reassert his artistic credentials, as well as to continue adding to the North American box office totals; the horror film ‘Wolf Creek’ would hit 1749 theaters (on the 25th). This was Weinstein Company’s second major release since its inception (2/5), with its debut film ‘Transgression Chase’ on November 11th only netting $35 million at the North American box office (with a $22 million production cost), a poor start. But how many people would choose to watch a horror film on Christmas? The Weinstein Company was probably headed for a second defeat.

The sports comedy ‘The Ruse’, released by Fox Searchlight, would be in 1829 theaters, with no major stars or buzz; Warner Bros.’ romantic comedy ‘Rumor Has It’ (on the 25th) would be in 2815 theaters, starring Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner who had some box office draw, but the quality of the film was under serious scrutiny.

Sony/Columbia’s crime comedy ‘The New Money Heist Couple’, acclaimed as one of the blockbusters of the Christmas season, was a remake of the classic ’77 comedy ‘The Money Heist Couple’, with a production budget of a whopping $100 million, starring Jim Carrey and Tia Leoni. However, to avoid clashing with a certain monster movie, it had already premiered in 3056 theaters on the 21st. But with an opening day average of just $1,231 per theater, a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 29% fresh and an audience approval of 58%, the film was quickly labeled as a flop, leaving its prospects dim.

Another family comedy, ‘Cheaper by the Dozen 2’, was in 3175 theaters. The original ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ (with a $40 million production budget) earned over $150 million at the global box office during the tough Christmas season of ’03. Century Fox had brought back the original cast including Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, and Hilary Duff for the sequel (budget undisclosed). This film too had launched early to avoid the monster, opening on the 21st in 3100 theaters, but with a dismal average of $823 per theater and Rotten Tomatoes scores of 7% fresh / 11% critics / 64% audience, it was declared another flop.

Thus, the films actually premiering on the 23rd were only the modestly released ‘Munich’, the “I’m just trying my luck” ‘The Ruse’, and… Firefly Cinema’s romantic comedy ‘500 Days of Summer’, screening in 3351 North American theaters, with simultaneous releases in various countries/regions worldwide.

With five new comedy films, and the second week of ‘King Kong’ and ‘The Stone Family’, the third week of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’, and ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ expanding from 52 to 1547 theaters, was there going to be an intense box office battle?

“No, undoubtedly not,” the media unanimously responded without hesitation: this year’s Christmas week box office champion would surely be ‘500 Days of Summer’! Need an explanation? Director: Wang Yang; Starring: Natalie Portman. Even if the sun rose in the west, it couldn’t fail to win, not without three Golden Globe nominations, and certainly not after receiving them. If any betting company dared to open a market on “Christmas Week Box Office Champion”, even if the odds for ‘500 Days’ were as low as 1.000… with many digits following, there would still be gamblers making a Christmas fortune.

“There’s not much worth watching this Christmas season, I assure you, you can only watch as Wang Yang slaughters, beats up, smashes, tortures, and torments those poor films,” Blaze C said in Yahoo Entertainment’s “This Year’s Christmas Viewing Guide.” Mikhail B said, “I’ve had enough of visual effects blockbusters with ‘Firefly’, I’m glad there’s a comedy to watch on Christmas, obviously referring to ‘Summer.’” Lois G said, “It’s ridiculous to talk about Christmas week champion with Wang Yang, don’t embarrass yourself; let’s talk about who’s going to be second.” Alex said, “I only know that if you trust in Yang, you won’t be disappointed.”…

Film fans agreed that it was best to guess how much the first-week box office for ‘500 Days of Summer’ would be. Would it create any box office records?

In the “romantic comedy” category from 1978 to the present, the highest-grossing film in North America is “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” from 2002, which garnered 241 million in North America and 368 million worldwide on a 5 million production budget, a true commercial miracle; second place this year is “The Whole World’s Enemy,” with 70 million/179 million/368 million; third place goes to the 1990 film “Pretty Woman,” with 14 million/178 million/463 million. And recent standouts in this genre include 2003’s “Love is Compromise” (104 million/226 million) and 2004’s “50 First Dates” (120 million/196 million).

This independent film, with a budget of 15 million, saw Wang Yang filming while injured, somewhat aiming to shatter doubts such as “he can’t direct a romantic film” and “his work lacks the passion to pursue a girl.” At the peak of his popularity, will it reach 200 million? Or become his third film to hit the 100 million mark in North American box office as a director?

But then again, what does that face, hidden behind the mysterious veil, actually look like? This remains the only source of strength for the Yang critics’ futile struggle. Under their hopes and curses, it is very, very ugly, and anyone who goes to the cinema to see it is just wasting an evening. Yang’s fans are rubbing their hands together eagerly, preparing to land a heavy first blow on those critics who say Wang Yang has “damaged his brain.” There will be a second blow and a third… Everyone is waiting for the release of “500 Days of Summer.”

“I swear, whew! I almost cried.”

As soon as he walked out of the theater, Wang Yang couldn’t stop talking to Jessica about how “Brokeback Mountain” moved him and his interpretation of the film. He continued to express his feelings as they left the theater and walked toward the parking lot: “It was amazing! Everything was captured in those two shirts and the Brokeback Mountain postcard, spiritually they were already back on Brokeback Mountain, with no conventions, no discrimination, only love, freedom, and then the wardrobe door closed, and through the window, you could see the lush green fields outside…”

Seeing him pause, Jessica knew it was her turn to speak, but what next? She faltered, “Um, then the credits, I mean, that shot represented… a longing.”

“Yes! I think so too, well said,” Wang Yang praised, and Jessica couldn’t help but smile. She then heard him say in a quick tone, “The heart is still the heart, Ennis still has to face the real world, his love, his freedom forever locked in that wardrobe, in that trailer house, in darkness, while that beautiful field where he could run freely, he could only look through the window, why? Because of those damned societal views!” Jessica nodded vigorously.

“You know the original novel isn’t like this, Ennis goes to buy a postcard, then he sticks it up in the trailer, hammers a nail into the wardrobe, hangs the clothes with a wire hanger, ‘Jack, I swear…’” Wang Yang shook a finger, continuing, “But not here, after the adaptation, his daughter visits, the clothes left behind naturally lead him to open the wardrobe, BANG! What an emotional impact, fantastic!” He reminisced about the emotions he had just experienced, saying with a sigh, “Really, finally a film that portrays the romance, love, and pain of homosexuals, not in clichés, two men, not women. What do you think?”

Facing his expectant look, Jessica laughed lightly, unable to articulate her feelings: “Hmm, I’m quite saddened.”

He’d been completely absorbed the whole way through, choking up near the end; after so many years together and countless films watched, it was rare to see this reaction from him—he was truly moved. However, Jessica was well aware that she herself hadn’t felt much, and recalling the conversation she overheard from a young couple, she slowly admitted with embarrassment, “Yang, I’m sorry, my mind wandered during the film…”

“Really?” Wang Yang was taken aback, as she seemed to have teary eyes! Realizing what he might be thinking, Jessica blushed slightly and explained, “After Jack died, I started thinking about your coma, if I lost you…” Wang Yang made an “Oh” sound, and Jessica quickly clarified, “But I’m not a homophobe, I’m not!” Wang Yang responded with annoyance, “Of course I know that.” Jessica shrugged and stuck out her tongue with a smile, “I just don’t appreciate it. You were like that, but I…I think I’m just ordinary.”

“No, it’s not like that,” Wang Yang put his arm around her shoulders, gave her a tight hug, and continued as they walked, “It’s actually very normal, you can’t use ‘Brokeback Mountain’ or ‘Titanic’ as a standard to measure someone’s heart. Like humor, there are different points that trigger emotions, sadness has its own triggers, and from an emotional perspective, they’re the same. Even the best joke can’t make everyone laugh, but that doesn’t mean the joke is bad or the person listening lacks humor, you just need to respect each other. I didn’t cry at ‘Titanic,’ you did.”

Jessica nodded thoughtfully, and Wang Yang smiled, recalling her anxious rush to explain herself. It really felt like “rejuvenation,” and he couldn’t help but express his thoughts, “Homosexuals are at a disadvantage in this society, in this world, which causes their sensitivity, everyone’s sensitivity. Now that a ‘milestone’ classic film has emerged, to say ‘I’m not interested in watching it,’ or ‘I saw it, and I don’t think much of it,’ might cause some misunderstandings. So, I don’t agree with what that girl said just now. Her boyfriend is innocent; just think, he even cried watching High School Musical.”

“I cried, too,” Jessica reiterated, but not because of the film’s romance—it was because she and he had finally made a movie together. Yet she had cried watching Titanic and Firefly as well, and with furrowed brows, she asked, “Why didn’t Brokeback Mountain trigger my emotions? That’s strange.”

As the two talked, they arrived at the parking spot. Wang Yang pulled out his car keys to open his Humvee and replied, “There’s nothing strange about it. You know, movies rely on the transfer of emotion and empathy. If a viewer gets invested in a movie, it means they’re in a state of emotional empathy, at least they’ve chosen a side, and then they’re touched. But everyone has their own points of empathy and resistance, which are shaped by their growth, education, experience, and so on… Those with strong empathy can relate to anything, and those with less can still get involved with situations and emotions they’re familiar with,”

He settled into the driver’s seat, turned to look at her seated in the passenger’s side, and said with a smile, “You’ve always been… you know, for you to empathize with a gay man, obviously you can’t do that; you can’t empathize with their wives either—you know best that I’m not gay.”

“I understand, I get it now,” Jessica said, revealing a relieved and radiant smile. So, that’s how it is! Of course, she couldn’t empathize; she was so happy! Wow, he always made so much sense! Suddenly, something else hit her, “Oh my, doesn’t that mean that I definitely won’t be moved or cry watching 500 Days of Summer?”

“Um! I don’t know. I’ll probably cry, crying like a baby, you can see for yourself,” Wang Yang started the car with a hearty laugh, as Jessica stared silently at him. Would Helen cry? Would Natalie cry? And then… “HEY.” Wang Yang glanced over at her, checked the road ahead, and glanced at her again. The kid’s mother isn’t getting jealous, right? He raised his voice with a chuckle, “We really should see King Kong, beauty and the beast, you’ll be moved.”

Jessica rolled her eyes at him and then laughed, wriggling her shoulders and neck, “I’ll empathize with King Kong!”

“Woo hoo hoo—”

“HOPE!! What’s wrong—!!”

When Wang Yang and Jessica got home, they were greeted by their daughter’s crying! Both of them dashed towards the baby’s room as if they’d gone mad. After hearing the helpless recounting of the evening from Grandma Wang and Kathy, Wang Yang felt his heart ache, clutching his forehead as her cries had left her voice hoarse! Jessica quickly picked up the pouting Keke, “Sweetheart, sorry! Daddy and Mommy played too much…” Wang Yang gently embraced his wife and daughter, “It’s okay now, there’s nothing to worry about now.” Hearing their voices and returning to the familiar embrace, Keke immediately quieted down, her big eyes blinking.

The two grandmas exchanged glances and sighed in relief, their clever baby was really a handful.

Soon, the week of December 16-22 came to a close, and King Kong, having been released for 9 days, grabbed the top spot with a box office of $71.27 million in its first week (total $87.32 million), averaging $19,975 per theater (in 3,568 theaters)—a modest performance for its record-breaking production cost of $207 million. For context, Firefly’s first-week average per theater was $61,531 (total box office of $236.5 million); The Chronicles of Narnia ranked second with $52.11 million; and the new comedy The Stone Family, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Rachel McAdams, earned third place with $19.2 million.

Brokeback Mountain in 75 theaters took $4.93 million, averaging $65,733 per theater and continuing to show strength with a total of $5.97 million US Dollars. In the upcoming new week, it would expand to 270 theaters. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to visit to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)