I am Hollywood

Chapter 887: Chapter 889: Breaking the Mold

Chapter 885: Chapter 887: Stunning Entrance



[Chapter 887: Stunning Entrance]

As Ivanka walked past Bond with three other stunning girls, carrying her puppet backpack, knowing laughter burst forth in the screening room. Frank Lipton, who had wanted to jot down some thoughts during the build-up, couldn't help but put his pen down and smile softly. This must have been the fourth one. Although Eric Williams might have been playing it safe by including such a little Easter egg in every film he directed, there was no denying it was indeed entertaining.

...

Chiffre had poured all his resources into short-selling stocks of Skyfleet. Although he felt that his actions might have been exposed, the plan was already too far along to halt. He could only send someone to hunt down Bond at the same time.

The villain assigned to chase down Bond was swiftly dispatched by Bond himself. Using a string of phone numbers left by Alex, Bond leveraged MI6's intelligence network to track down the bomber, who was about to launch an attack at Miami International Airport.

...

At Miami International Airport, with quick cuts and tense musical scores, the audience's emotions elevated. Although they knew Bond would ultimately thwart the bomber, many felt a surge of anxiety as Bond leaped onto a fuel truck, chasing the bomber down the airport runway.

While regular viewers were tightly gripped by the high-tension scenes, many critics only felt excitement. From Bond stepping into Miami International Airport to jumping on a fuel truck to confront the bomber and the police being hurled through the screen, this brief sequence, in just a few minutes, delivered a textbook-level stunning effect regarding the scenes, camera cuts, and background music. One couldn't help but say that although Eric Williams had been away for four years, his directorial talent showed no signs of waning, and perhaps even hinted at a further evolution.

Frank Lipton from The Times felt his heartbeat accelerate with the unfolding drama. When the bomber detonated the mini-bomb strapped to himself, a startling bang echoed from the speakers. Frank even felt a rush of exhilaration, as if he had personally thwarted the bomber's plot, and began to clap, which encouraged the entire theater to join him in applause.

...

In the front row of the auditorium, Eric breathed a sigh of relief, encouraged by the crowd's reactions.

The film's producer, Barbara Broccoli, released a deep sigh as well. For Eric, Casino Royale might have been just another understated project in his directing career, but this series encompassed the entire legacy of the Broccoli family. Casino Royale was the first Bond film produced entirely by her and her brother after their father, Albert Broccoli, passed away. Due to the string of summer blockbuster flops in Hollywood that year, Barbara Broccoli had worried that this film might follow suit, which would mean letting down her father's legacy. Now, having only screened a third of the film and hearing the spontaneous applause from the audience, it was clear that it could hardly be a failure.

...

Following the attack on Skyfleet's plans, Chiffre faced a huge loss of a hundred million dollars. To recoup his losses, he planned an all-or-nothing gamble at the Royal Casino in Montenegro, attracting attention from various intelligence agencies as a terrorist with connections.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Mintroduced Bond to MI6's intel on the Spectre organization and planned to send him to Montenegro to win the gambling game, paving the way to capture Chiffre.

At this point, a crossover element from the spy movie universe finally appeared. The intel M provided Bond with was the same information Ethan Hunt, the hero of the Mission: Impossible series, had intercepted and shared with allied intelligence agencies in Mission: Impossible 2, this subplot had even appeared as an Easter egg in that very film.

After half a year of anticipation, seeing the previously hinted subplot unfold, MGM spy movie fans at the screening found themselves oddly satisfied, only to grow more eager for the new Easter eggs anticipated at the end of the film.

To facilitate the gambling game, MI6 requested special funding from the Treasury, which sent an officer to assist Bond throughout the mission, ensuring the funds' safety.

...

The scene shifted to an ordinary apartment in London's West End, where a nerdy little girl was intently welding a circuit board among various sophisticated electronic gadgets. A sudden knock at the door startled her, causing the circuit board to short-circuit and smoke. Outside the door stood the capable Vesper Lynd, dragging a suitcase. Seeing her sister's face smeared with soot when she opened the door, she peered in helplessly, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped her sister's face with care, her expression a mix of exasperation and affection as she said, "I really need to have another chat with that so-called Charlie Townsend Foundation head. I've got a bad feeling about them. How could anyone offer a sixteen-year- old girl a scholarship of ten thousand pounds a year? And all that weird training!"

Angela Lynd, like every rebellious child against stern parents, retorted, "Hey, sis, that's because I'm a genius."

"Oh, okay, my little genius," Vesper Lynd smiled, pocketing the handkerchief and kissing her sister's cheek. "I'm heading out of town for work for about a week, so take care of yourself, alright?"

A flicker of joy crossed Angela's face, but she quickly composed herself, answering dutifully, "Of course, sis. I'll be just fine."

Vesper playfully pinched her sister's cheek and added, "Don't get too cocky, though -- I asked Aunt Carol to keep an eye on you."

Angela, suddenly imagining something dreadful, pleaded reluctantly, "Sis, I'm your little sister."

"Of course, that's why I have to prevent my little angel from actually taking off when I'm not around."

...

Within the auditorium, listening to the entertaining back-and-forth between the Lynd sisters, smiles sprouted on the audience's faces. The 007 series had long been devoid of humor. This moment could be considered a small breakthrough for the series. In the brief two-minute segment, Angela's quirky charm and Vesper's sharp wit left a strong impression on the audience, setting the stage for future developments.

While Christina Aguilera shone brightly in her limited scenes, critics focused even more on the stunning new Bond girl played by Cate Blanchett.

Since she was cast, this Australian newcomer had stirred intense controversy. Casual viewers felt she didn't measure up to the traditional standards of beauty for Bond girls, and many in the industry thought Eric Williams's decision to cast a relative newcomer with only a few TV credits under her belt felt hasty.

However, in her limited scenes, Vesper Lynd, donned in a sleek black business suit, held her own against the more clearly defined Angela Lynd.

Next, Vesper's electrifying dialogue with Bond on the train to Montenegro shocked critics. They felt that in this performance, Pierce Brosnan seemed utterly subdued, leaving the director to focus more on him for balance, which instead heightened anticipation for Cate Blanchett's contributions.

As for the average audience, after several scenes, they had forgotten their initial discontent over Cate Blanchett landing the role. Most began to feel that this Australian star portrayed Vesper Lynd with undeniable coolness.

...

In the casino scenes, Eric opted to cut some extraneous details from the original version, tightening the pacing while adding another crossover moment from the spy movie universe. An aide to Ethan Hunt from Mission: Impossible appeared at this gambling game and, at a crucial moment, lent Bond his funds, helping him to achieve victory. The film also introduced a subplot at the end where Chiffre sent someone to kidnap Angela as leverage against Vesper.

During the entire gambling sequence, from the initial hostility to the synchronized cooperation at pivotal moments, an emotional bond began to blossom between Bond and Vesper. After Vesper assisted Bond in eliminating a threat, their embrace in the bathroom signified an elevation in their previously ambiguous feelings.

Following the gambling game, a desperate Chiffre, having lost everything, captured Bond for torture, trying to reclaim the hundred million dollars in cash.

In a hazy vision, Bond lost consciousness, and upon waking, the figure became clearer: Vesper was by his side, informing him that Chiffre was dead, and the ordeal was over. Instead of probing into what had transpired before he fainted, Bond and Vesper fell genuinely in love. To be with her, Bond began to prepare a resignation letter for M.

...

However, everything was far from over. When the Spectre organization discovered Chiffre's embezzlement, they sought retribution. But Vesper's sister fell into the Spectre's clutches. To save Bond and her sister, Vesper made a deal with the Spectre, assisting them in reclaiming the hundred million dollars from Bond.

Yet, after Vesper transferred the funds into the Spectre's account, she realized she had been deceived. Bond, who had been tailing her upon noticing her unusual behavior, believed he had

uncovered everything.

Having betrayed her love while failing to save her sister, Vesper felt lost, choosing to end her life in an underwater cage. In her final moments, however, she clung to a sliver of hope, pressing a necklace containing a photo of herself and her sister into Bond's hand.

...

"Why do I need time? The job's done. And the bitch is dead," Bond coldly replied to M's concerned voice over the phone from a boat on the Venetian coast, a hurt wolf in a bleak state.

In that moment, although Bond discarded any hopes of returning to a normal life and again embodied that cold, ruthless super spy, everyone felt that this was the moment where he truly felt like an ordinary person -- a mortal.

On the screen, M explained the entire situation to Bond. Opening the heart-shaped locket, he found a radiant photo of Vesper and Angela together, embarking on a journey to rescue

Angela.

...

The final showdown was about to begin. In the auditorium, Frank Lipton sensed the sobbing female fan behind him, who had just stifled her tears over Bond's farewell to Vesper, was slowly calming down. Yet his mind drifted, replaying every scene Cate Blanchett showcased in her one-hour appearance, hardly paying attention to the ultimate showdown between Bond

and the trio of Angels.

Due to his attention to this film, Frank Lipton had previously gathered some background on Cate Blanchett. However, given that she was a newcomer to Hollywood, the information available was scarce.

Thus, after witnessing Cate Blanchett's performance, Frank's astonishment deepened. From

the very start, in just a few brief moments, the actress perfectly embodied Vesper Lynd. Each subsequent entry left audiences with the impression of 'I am Vesper Lynd,' showcasing a level of performance skill that could rival Oscar winners. She displayed a talent surpassing many

already-acclaimed actresses.

Suddenly, another name popped into Frank Lipton's mind: Meryl Streep. Perhaps this actress, who debuted via Hollywood blockbusters, would become the second Meryl Streep. Realizing this, Frank felt a twinge of regret. He understood that according to Hollywood's

rules, serving as a Bond girl in a blockbuster like the 007 series would attract considerable attention, potentially leading this immensely talented actress down a path resembling Nicole

Kidman's, becoming yet another commercial star.

What a waste that would be.

Eric Williams had paved the way for numerous commercial actresses; there was no need to

'waste' another potential art-house star.

After pondering, Frank thought of a friend in the British film industry, Alison Owen, who was preparing a small-budget film that was undoubtedly centered around a strong female lead. Perhaps he could introduce her at the upcoming party. Although Cate Blanchett hailed from Australia, the London accent she presented in the film was impeccable, showcasing more than

enough strength to dominate that role.

[T/N: Elizabeth.]

Recognizing the opportunity's rarity, Frank quietly slipped out of his seat and headed outside

the theater to make a phone call.

*****

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