King of Hollywood
Chapter 439 - 161 It’s Just the Beginning

Chapter 439: Chapter 161 It’s Just the Beginning

The haunting chant began once more, and after casting the Heart of the Ocean into the sea, Old Rose returned to her bed with a smile. The camera slowly panned across her old photographs, as if to proof that she had fulfilled her promise to Jack.

The scene shifted back to the wreckage of the Titanic, the light grew brighter as the camera advanced, the corridor appeared intact again. Passing through the doors, it entered the grand banquet hall, where everyone was waiting for her arrival. Then, amid thunderous applause, two young souls embraced tightly on the staircase, under the watchful eyes of all.

Such a dreamlike ending finally signaled the closure of the film. Amid Celine Dion’s ethereal voice, the credits slowly began to rise. The cinema was silent, people basked in the beautiful melody of "My Heart Will Go On" and quickly relived the experience, then the lights came on, and a deafening applause erupted like a dam had burst, overwhelming and powerful.

Everyone chose that moment to release the emotions built up in their hearts; not only were many women teary-eyed, many men were also visibly moved. Over the decades, few movies had resonated so strongly with so many people besides Titanic, but this was just the beginning.

"This is a masterpiece, a truly great work of art, not only is the pacing expertly managed, but Cameron also presents us with a grand and exquisite canvas using movie effects, almost perfectly recreating every detail of the Titanic from those years! It is truly astonishing!" — Variety

"The film’s themes are disaster and love, or rather, love in disaster. Cameron cleverly embeds a doomed yet tragically beautiful fictional romance within the catastrophe of the Titanic, elevating the emotions of the male and female leads, thereby touching all viewers." — Washington Post

"Even though Adrian’s nearly 300 million investment might not be fully recouped, Titanic remains a successful film. Cameron has pushed his imagination and current film technology to their limits, telling a poignant story filled with intense emotions. The love story between the protagonists may seem like a fairy tale, but it has won the applause of all viewers!" — USA Today

The next day, nearly all media outlets were overflowing with praise, as if the film was flawless. While this was undoubtedly influenced by Fox and AC Media’s PR efforts, the quality of the film played a deciding role, as evidenced by the rave reviews from ordinary people eagerly awaiting the movie.

However, this did not cause Titanic’s box office to soar qualitatively. Over the weekend, in nearly 2,500 theaters across North America, it garnered about 29 million US dollars. Although the results were decent and it secured the second spot at the box office, it was insignificant compared to the nearly 300 million investment. Many other films thus snickered at this, acknowledging the film’s quality but relishing Adrian’s failure. Since entering the industry, he had never faltered, growing from a small film company to today’s scale; even his modesty drew envy.

"Insufficient market expectations, PR was good, but overconfidence skipped even a screening, thinking that a global box office of 500 million would be enough, would serve him right," said a manager of a certain company.

Like Eyes Wide Shut, Titanic wasn’t screened pre-release. For an artsy film like Eyes Wide Shut, skipping screenings was fine since it wasn’t aiming for box office returns. But for a commercial film like Titanic, skipping screenings seemed unjustifiable. Screenings have two purposes: firstly, to gather feedback from random attendees to identify issues early for corrections, although as these are screenings, not many might attend, and feedback is usually personal, not representative. However, the primary purpose is film critics’ reviews.

It’s been said that critics’ reviews before an official movie release greatly guide public opinion. Most people check movie reviews before deciding, easily swayed by herd mentality—films with mostly positive reviews often become their first choice. Although some American critics might be biased, many maintain an esteemed and fair view.

Therefore, studios never neglected critics who attended screenings and also squashed those purely nitpicking.

But this time, Adrian let the film premiere directly in theaters, only sending premiere tickets to the critics. Despite Fox’s lengthy persuasions, he stuck to his views.

"If we are to create a miracle, let’s make it thorough," Adrian had said.

However, after the first week, Fox couldn’t help but grumble a few complaints. Since they were handed the distribution, any intervention and resultant losses should be his to bear.

But was it really so? Would Adrian’s miraculous reputation really suffer a setback? The second week’s box office answered that—though only about 100 more theaters were added, the total North American box office had already surpassed 110 million! That meant, aside from the initial 29 million in three days, it had pulled in almost 80 million in seven days, earning over 11 million daily! It not only jumped to the top of the box office but also left the second place far behind.

"Even under such extreme circumstances, people upheld their finest virtues: an orchestra that played to the last moment, gentlemen who calmly gave their chance at survival to others, a captain and designer who went down with their ship according to tradition. There is much ugliness in the world, but there is just as much beauty. This is the significance of both the Titanic and Cameron’s Titanic.

Now, back to the protagonists. As I mentioned before, this love story is different from others—it’s evident in the ending. For a long time, mainstream views on love in such stories have been: your loved one is everything, and even if you could only spend a few seconds together in a desperate situation, it would be sweet, it would be eternal.

But here we see a different perspective: to enable her loved one to better survive, and to keep him alive forever in her heart, making him a proof that he once existed in this world! As Old Rose said, ’There was a man named Jack Dawson, and he saved me... But I don’t even have a picture of him. He can only live in my memory,’ she lives for herself, and for her loved one. Well done, Cameron!" — renowned critic Roger Ebert

"What’s that saying? Even a pearl that falls among the grass is bound to be discovered! Let alone ’Titanic,’ a pearl so vast and shimmering, and moreover, it didn’t fall into the weeds. Although film critics weren’t able to publish reviews before the movie’s release, most of them went to the cinema at the first opportunity. Then, just like those reporters, most film critics also showered the movie with high praise, and Roger’s review was a prime example of that.

Then, the Independence Day holiday allowed many people an extra day off, coupled with word-of-mouth among ordinary people and large-scale online promotions, so the box office for ’Titanic’ experienced a surge.

Such a turn of events surprised many who were prepared to see it fail. Although this kind of momentum usually doesn’t last long, and even if it were to occur several more times, it still probably wouldn’t cover the investment costs with box office revenue alone. But what the outcome would be was now uncertain to anyone.

"Anyway, it’s a brilliant film, and Adrian has proven his insight is undoubtable again," a journalist under AC Media wrote. Although this was clearly flattery, the overwhelming positive reception and its strong box office performance left little room for rebuttal, even from those who oppose for the sake of opposing.

"This is yours, James," Adrian said as he handed a check to Cameron in his office.

"This is?" Cameron looked at the check in his hands then back at Adrian, aware of what five million meant, though it wasn’t a large amount.

"It’s your bonus," Adrian shrugged, then added, "for now."

"I’ve already said I..." Cameron started to refuse, but Adrian cut him off quickly, "Don’t be silly, James, you deserve this. I remember what you said initially, I don’t have memory loss. But that was based on if we were at a loss, and now, look at the situation, isn’t it great?"

He shrugged, maintaining a smile and continued, "Let me put it this way, my hopes for ’Titanic’ are even higher now than before. Guess how many checks I’ll write you when the movie goes off the theaters."

"In that case, I’ll accept it," Cameron said, not being pretentious, and secretly he sighed in relief.

Adrian noticed and his smile grew. He knew Cameron Studio was struggling, having committed all their efforts to the post-production of ’Titanic’ and foregoing the entire team’s salaries. Though it wasn’t unsustainable, the overall morale wasn’t great. Some were even considering leaving for better opportunities.

In normal times, this wasn’t a big deal, as those who wanted to leave were minor players. Yet, at this moment, it could potentially start a chain reaction. Therefore, Adrian was all the happier to play the good guy and win over hearts, although he was eager to give out a supersized check at the end and see Cameron’s surprised expression up close.

"Watch and see, James, the words I said outside the bar that night will come true," Adrian said resolutely.

Just then, the intercom on the desk rang: "Mr. Adrian, Miss Gwyneth is here."

"Okay, Charli, let her in," Adrian said, then got up and went to open the door.

"Ed!" Gwyneth called out cheerfully as she reached the door and rushed into his arms before kissing him passionately, exploring enthusiastically before finally parting.

"Oh, Gwyneth, you’re so enthusiastic," Adrian chuckled, relieved and shaking his head, while Gwyneth only then realized there were others in the office, and notably, the director of the current blockbuster ’Titanic’, Cameron, and Charlize who sat outside by her desk, watching her with a suppressed smirk.

Although a bit embarrassed, Gwyneth quickly adjusted, smiled broadly, and warmly greeted Cameron while holding onto Adrian’s arm, "Hi, James, pleased to see you here."

"Me too," Cameron responded with a smile, then stood up, "I guess you didn’t need me here for anything else, right, Ed?"

Knowing about their relationship, their rare display of intimacy in front of others led Cameron to decide it was time to leave.

"Did I interrupt you?" Gwyneth asked with an innocent look, blinking her eyes after Cameron had left.

"Of course not," Adrian said with a smile as he closed the door and playfully pinched her nose. "We had already finished our discussion—by the way, how come you had time to visit me?"

"Because I missed you," Gwyneth declared as she eagerly threw herself back into his arms. "Oh, Ed, I really do love you."

Before Adrian could reply, she kissed him again, this time with even more passion since they were alone. Likewise, Adrian, now without any reservations, kissed her back while guiding her to the couch, where they continued kissing fervently and he indulged in caressing her scantily clad body.

No wonder Gwyneth was so passionate. The critical and box office double success of "Titanic" had significantly boosted her popularity. Invitations were flying in like snowflakes, and being recognized as Rose on the streets of Los Angeles, where one could stumble upon major celebrities at any turn, meant being quickly surrounded by crowds.

This was something her previous movie "Emma" couldn’t have competed with. It would be strange if she weren’t excited and thrilled.

"Ah, sorry." Just as the two of them were fully engrossed in kissing, an untimely voice chimed in.

The halted couple looked toward the door and saw Charlize standing there with two cups, wearing a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

"I’m really sorry for the interruption, please continue." She gave a slight bow and then walked out with the cups, closing the door behind her, of course.

"Shall we continue?" Adrian turned his head to look at Gwyneth, who was in his arms, and asked with a smile.

Gwyneth gave him a look and sat up to start tidying her clothes. She was wearing a white blouse and tight long pants. Several buttons of her blouse had been undone, even the bra inside was half-pulled open, revealing much from her neckline. No wonder Charlize had that look on her face; it was hard to say what would have happened if she hadn’t interrupted them.

But Adrian wasn’t concerned. Previously, he might have worried about what Charlize thought, but now...

"Your secretary not only fulfills her duties well but also has good manners," said Gwyneth after fixing her clothes, looking seductively at him.

"Yes, she’s indeed very good," Adrian nodded with a smile.

"In every way?" Gwyneth asked further, with a knowing look in her eyes.

"Indeed." Adrian did not deny it but immediately pinched her nose again: "Any problem with that?"

"Nothing... hey, why do you always like to do that now?" Gwyneth frowned, pretending to be upset.

"Probably because on the premiere day, the way you cried with a red nose was quite adorable," Adrian laughed heartily.

"Don’t make fun of me!"

"I’m not, I was just curious—it was, after all, a movie you starred in."

"Well, no one says you can’t cry watching your own movie!"

Watching Gwyneth’s puffed-up appearance, Adrian couldn’t help but laugh softly: "Okay, okay, it certainly was the most classic scene, I nearly teared up myself."

Suddenly, Gwyneth became silent, hesitated for a few seconds, then looked at Adrian as if guessing something, and Adrian gave her a reassuring look.

"If... if it were you and me, would you do the same?" She bit her lip, finally asking the question, then lowered her head as if afraid to meet his eyes.

"Of course," Adrian answered without hesitation.

"Really?" Gwyneth looked up in surprise, still somewhat incredulous.

"Really," he nodded, "there are things a man must do. As long as you survive, I wouldn’t mind dying like Jack. I might be a jerk, but I’m certainly not irresponsible."

He meant every word; for someone who had been reborn once, death was not to be feared.

Gwyneth stared at Adrian for a long moment in stunned silence, then sighed softly and snuggled back into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. After a moment, as if remembering something, she looked up at him again and asked, "What if... what if there were other women then?"

Since she had already asked the first question, posing the second one wasn’t much harder.

"I’d try to save them all."

"What if you could only save one?"

Adrian fell silent, while Gwyneth bit her lip nervously.

"Do you really want to know the answer, Gwyneth?" after a long pause, he finally looked at her and asked.

"Yes." Her heart beat several times quickly, and Gwyneth gave a firm answer.

"Alright then, my answer is that I wouldn’t save anyone, I would sink into the ocean holding both of you," Adrian said deliberately.

He didn’t explain further, just calmly looked at Gwyneth. Though a hint of disappointment flashed through her gray-green eyes, it was quickly replaced by a thoughtful expression; she could obviously discern the underlying meaning in his words.

"That’s not the answer I wanted, but... it’s your answer," she sighed softly after a while, somewhat gloomily yet somewhat relieved.

"Alright, Gwyneth, you didn’t come today just to ask me these questions, did you?" Adrian asked, stroking her hair.

"Oh, of course," Gwyneth quickly recovered, flashing a sly smile, "Here’s the thing, my dad wants to invite you over for dinner." (To be continued. If you enjoy this piece, please visit qidian.com to vote or subscribe. Your support is my greatest motivation.)