The entrance to the theater was buzzing with activity as a crowd of people moved around. Lindsay, who had just gotten out of the car, surveyed the scene and remarked, "Wow, looks like there are a lot of people here.
Jessica, who followed Lindsay, looked around the theater and added, "I wonder how many people are here to see the movie because of Angela." She then turned to the car and asked, "Angela?"
Angela's voice came from inside the car, "All right, give me a minute, I'll be right out."
Soon enough, Angela emerged from the car, still wearing her signature wide-brimmed white hat. However, her longer hair was now completely tucked underneath it. She also wore a pair of large black-framed glasses, giving her a rather comical appearance.
This caused Jessica and Lindsay, who were looking at her, to burst out laughing.
"Hey, stop laughing! Be serious! I didn't choose to look like this on purpose!" Angela waved her hand in annoyance.
She wasn't particularly worried about being recognized by others, but her parents' protectiveness lingered - there still wasn't much detailed information about her family in the media.
The mainstream media seemed indifferent due to certain pressures, and the local newspapers, while lacking concrete information, delighted in speculation. She didn't want to draw unnecessary attention.
"David, we'll wait for you here," Angela called into the car.
"Okay, Angela, I'll be right there," David replied, nodding before pulling into the parking lot as Angela closed the car door.
Angela shrugged and looked at the large poster outside the theater. Luc Besson had chosen the picture she had once drawn - the one of Léon and Mathilda walking together - for the poster. Undeniably, the photographic version of the scene exuded more warmth than her drawing. But her attention quickly shifted, landing on the line at the bottom of the poster, below the film's title, producers, and distributor: "The Fourth Work of the Genius Girl!"
Luc Besson certainly had a keen sense of strategy. It was only after the FOX interview that he began promoting the film as "The Fourth Work of the Genius Girl." The mention of another upcoming film by the Genius Girl in《Face to Face》had already sparked public interest. The release of《Leon: The Professional》at that time was a smart move to create even more anticipation. He really was a shrewd businessman.
"Without a doubt, she's the most outstanding genius I've ever seen, I almost missed her," Luc Besson told the media.
But Angela wasn't exactly pleased. On the contrary, she was slightly annoyed. Although her contract didn't explicitly forbid the use of her name for promotion, she felt that she should have been informed before her name was associated in this way. Besides, this publicity tactic had disrupted her own plans. The ebbing wave of public curiosity about her had been slightly restored as this type of publicity, coupled with the widespread distribution of trailers, had put her back in the spotlight. Her carefully orchestrated strategies were now unraveling.
"If I hadn't been unable to attend the premiere in New York due to a scheduling conflict, I would have embarrassed that guy!" Angela thought with a hint of resentment in her mind. Of course, it was just a thought. After all, this was Natalie's debut movie, a truly iconic work for her.
Angela recognized it as an act of goodwill. She also realized that her career trajectory required her to step out from behind the scenes and embrace the spotlight.
But credit must be given to Mr. Sparrow for his meticulousness. When he sold the theme song to Luc Besson, he stipulated in the contract that the lyricist and composer must remain anonymous and that the song could not be used to promote the film. Otherwise, the guy might have tried to promote it as "The first musical work of the Genius Girl."
This could have easily linked her to Miss AM. Although she was confident that she would make her public debut as a singer after the release of her first album, she couldn't afford to do so before that. This could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in her future endeavors.
"Let's go inside, everyone," Angela announced as David arrived, warmly greeting her friends and motioning for them to enter the theater.
Navigating through the VIP entrance, they reached their private box. David made his way to another box, making sure to stay close to it while giving the trio plenty of space. This arrangement complied with all legalities, given David's genuine intent to accompany them.
Although Angela sporadically engaged in playful banter with Lindsay and Jessica, her focus was immediately captured by the movie as soon as it began. The opening scenes retained their intrigue, especially when Léon reached out from the shadows and held a knife to the fat man's throat. Angela even detected whistles of approval from the audience below.
However, a slight deviation from the original story followed. Angela sensed a missing element, though she couldn't pinpoint what it was. It was more of an intuitive feeling. After all, she wasn't a professional movie critic, and the original "Léon: The Professional" had left an indelible mark on her.
Of course, this nuanced perception probably didn't resonate with others in the same way. After all, the film remained a gripping masterpiece. When police officers stormed Mathilda's apartment, triggering a chaotic frenzy, both Jessica and Lindsay instinctively covered their mouths in shock. Their relief only materialized when Léon's hesitation culminated in him opening the door for Mathilda.
If there was one aspect that arguably surpassed the original film, it was Natalie's performance. Angela had doubts about whether a 10-year-old Natalie could excel in such a role. However, those concerns vanished. Before her eyes was a Mathilda even more authentic than the one portrayed in the original.
In the staircase scene, where Mathilda was slapped and then sat alone, Léon approached and paused behind her. He offered her a handkerchief and helped her wipe the blood from her nose. When he had finished, Mathilda asked an introspective question, "Is life really this painful, or is it only in childhood?"
Léon thought for a moment before answering, "Life is always like this."
Then a fleeting but profound sadness crossed Mathilda's eyes - communicating a depth of emotion beyond words.
When Mathilda returned home to find her family brutally murdered, she maintained her composure. As she walked down the hall, she rang Léon's doorbell.
Behind the door, Léon debated whether to open it. Mathilda kept ringing the doorbell. Struggling to remain calm, she hid her fear from the police watching her, but her trembling betrayed her anxiety. Tears welled up in her eyes and her intense, helpless fear was palpable.
It was as if a colossal hand had gripped the hearts of the audience, making the scene extraordinarily powerful. When Léon finally unlocked the door, a radiant, almost ethereal light bathed her face. Unexpected applause echoed from below.
"Fantastic, she's all right now," Jessica whispered tenderly.
"Angela wouldn't let anything happen to her, and she'll be fine in the future," Lindsay added, her tone subdued.
Angela remained silent, her eyes fixed on the screen. Every moment with Natalie was precious and Angela was determined not to miss a single one. From her knowledge of her past life, Angela understood that Natalie's acting skills were already impressive at the age of 12. Couldn't a 10-year-old Natalie be considered a prodigious actress in her own right?
Still, such considerations seemed trivial. Regardless of any flaws in the movie, as long as Natalie's brilliance shone through, it would be enough. Angela's mind drifted back to the kiss they shared in New York - a moment of sweetness that seemed to emanate from the depths of her consciousness. The memory threatened to melt her entire being. She wished Natalie was here to hold her, to give her loving kisses and caresses without restraint.
"Nat, you're mine, and no one can take you away," Angela mused resolutely as the movie ended.
...
"Lily, it seems you will have to hold on to me later. Don't let them intimidate you," Angela commented with a wry smile to her friend sitting next to her. Angela's gaze shifted back to the media gathering outside the school. Lacking information on her home address, they had gathered here. Angela regretted declining her father's suggestion to hire a bodyguard earlier.
"I don't think I should go home in your car, Angela," Lily hesitated, her words cautious yet filled with concern.
"Why?" Angela's expression registered surprise that quickly gave way to understanding. The reporters must have been bothering Lily, since she was usually the first to be dropped off. Angela sighed, " Alright, I'm sorry."
"Angie, you know, actually..." Lily started to explain, but Angela shook her head and interjected, "It's okay, Lily. Anyway, I got myself into this mess. I should be the one to apologize." After a moment's thought, she continued, "Could you do me a favor?"
Lily's curiosity was piqued, "What do you need?"
"Do you remember that individual who was spewing nonsense in Tuesday's newspaper? Can you help me find out who it was?"
Lily's tone grew cautious, "Are you planning something against her?"
Angela reassured her, "Don't worry, I'm just going to teach them a little lesson." As she watched her classmates leave the school, many of whom were approached by reporters, she added, "I just want to avoid going through this ordeal again.
After saying goodbye to Lily, Angela approached the school gate, made minor adjustments to her attire, and then joined David, who was stationed at the gate, as they walked to the waiting car.
Similar to before, reporters swarmed around them, bombarding them with tricky or absurd questions. Angela listened to the nature of their inquiries:
"Miss Mason, in your work you have depicted a young girl falling in love with an older killer. Is this a reflection of your own lack of paternal affection?"
"There are reports that Luc Besson approached you about playing the female lead, but you turned him down and suggested Natalie Hershlag instead. Does this indicate a disagreement between you and Mr. Besson?"
Annoyance coursed through Angela. How could she explain why she had written a story with such a dynamic? Maybe Luc Besson had a special affinity for such themes, who knew? Despite cursing their questionable intelligence, Angela kept her composure and answered their questions with a smile. Oddly enough, she felt surprisingly calm at moments like this.
Fortunately, the car wasn't far away. They covered the distance quickly, but it was obvious that the reporters had no intention of letting her off the hook so easily. Microphones and recorders were still pointed at her.
With limited options, Angela turned and said, "All right, one last question."
"Did you recommend Natalie because you're friends?"
A reporter thrust a recorder in her direction.
"We are close friends. I know Natalie well. She's an incredible actress. Recommending her was the right decision, you'll see that for yourself when you watch the movie. Luc Besson wasn't convinced at first, but she proved herself". Angela replied with a smile before getting resolutely into the waiting car.
Little did she know the ripple effect her final statement would have.
The entrance to the theater was buzzing with activity as a crowd of people moved around. Lindsay, who had just gotten out of the car, surveyed the scene and remarked, "Wow, looks like there are a lot of people here.
Jessica, who followed Lindsay, looked around the theater and added, "I wonder how many people are here to see the movie because of Angela." She then turned to the car and asked, "Angela?"
Angela's voice came from inside the car, "All right, give me a minute, I'll be right out."
Soon enough, Angela emerged from the car, still wearing her signature wide-brimmed white hat. However, her longer hair was now completely tucked underneath it. She also wore a pair of large black-framed glasses, giving her a rather comical appearance.
This caused Jessica and Lindsay, who were looking at her, to burst out laughing.
"Hey, stop laughing! Be serious! I didn't choose to look like this on purpose!" Angela waved her hand in annoyance.
She wasn't particularly worried about being recognized by others, but her parents' protectiveness lingered - there still wasn't much detailed information about her family in the media.
The mainstream media seemed indifferent due to certain pressures, and the local newspapers, while lacking concrete information, delighted in speculation. She didn't want to draw unnecessary attention.
"David, we'll wait for you here," Angela called into the car.
"Okay, Angela, I'll be right there," David replied, nodding before pulling into the parking lot as Angela closed the car door.
Angela shrugged and looked at the large poster outside the theater. Luc Besson had chosen the picture she had once drawn - the one of Léon and Mathilda walking together - for the poster. Undeniably, the photographic version of the scene exuded more warmth than her drawing. But her attention quickly shifted, landing on the line at the bottom of the poster, below the film's title, producers, and distributor: "The Fourth Work of the Genius Girl!"
Luc Besson certainly had a keen sense of strategy. It was only after the FOX interview that he began promoting the film as "The Fourth Work of the Genius Girl." The mention of another upcoming film by the Genius Girl in《Face to Face》had already sparked public interest. The release of《Leon: The Professional》at that time was a smart move to create even more anticipation. He really was a shrewd businessman.
"Without a doubt, she's the most outstanding genius I've ever seen, I almost missed her," Luc Besson told the media.
But Angela wasn't exactly pleased. On the contrary, she was slightly annoyed. Although her contract didn't explicitly forbid the use of her name for promotion, she felt that she should have been informed before her name was associated in this way. Besides, this publicity tactic had disrupted her own plans. The ebbing wave of public curiosity about her had been slightly restored as this type of publicity, coupled with the widespread distribution of trailers, had put her back in the spotlight. Her carefully orchestrated strategies were now unraveling.
"If I hadn't been unable to attend the premiere in New York due to a scheduling conflict, I would have embarrassed that guy!" Angela thought with a hint of resentment in her mind. Of course, it was just a thought. After all, this was Natalie's debut movie, a truly iconic work for her.
Angela recognized it as an act of goodwill. She also realized that her career trajectory required her to step out from behind the scenes and embrace the spotlight.
But credit must be given to Mr. Sparrow for his meticulousness. When he sold the theme song to Luc Besson, he stipulated in the contract that the lyricist and composer must remain anonymous and that the song could not be used to promote the film. Otherwise, the guy might have tried to promote it as "The first musical work of the Genius Girl."
This could have easily linked her to Miss AM. Although she was confident that she would make her public debut as a singer after the release of her first album, she couldn't afford to do so before that. This could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in her future endeavors.
"Let's go inside, everyone," Angela announced as David arrived, warmly greeting her friends and motioning for them to enter the theater.
Navigating through the VIP entrance, they reached their private box. David made his way to another box, making sure to stay close to it while giving the trio plenty of space. This arrangement complied with all legalities, given David's genuine intent to accompany them.
Although Angela sporadically engaged in playful banter with Lindsay and Jessica, her focus was immediately captured by the movie as soon as it began. The opening scenes retained their intrigue, especially when Léon reached out from the shadows and held a knife to the fat man's throat. Angela even detected whistles of approval from the audience below.
However, a slight deviation from the original story followed. Angela sensed a missing element, though she couldn't pinpoint what it was. It was more of an intuitive feeling. After all, she wasn't a professional movie critic, and the original "Léon: The Professional" had left an indelible mark on her.
Of course, this nuanced perception probably didn't resonate with others in the same way. After all, the film remained a gripping masterpiece. When police officers stormed Mathilda's apartment, triggering a chaotic frenzy, both Jessica and Lindsay instinctively covered their mouths in shock. Their relief only materialized when Léon's hesitation culminated in him opening the door for Mathilda.
If there was one aspect that arguably surpassed the original film, it was Natalie's performance. Angela had doubts about whether a 10-year-old Natalie could excel in such a role. However, those concerns vanished. Before her eyes was a Mathilda even more authentic than the one portrayed in the original.
In the staircase scene, where Mathilda was slapped and then sat alone, Léon approached and paused behind her. He offered her a handkerchief and helped her wipe the blood from her nose. When he had finished, Mathilda asked an introspective question, "Is life really this painful, or is it only in childhood?"
Léon thought for a moment before answering, "Life is always like this."
Then a fleeting but profound sadness crossed Mathilda's eyes - communicating a depth of emotion beyond words.
When Mathilda returned home to find her family brutally murdered, she maintained her composure. As she walked down the hall, she rang Léon's doorbell.
Behind the door, Léon debated whether to open it. Mathilda kept ringing the doorbell. Struggling to remain calm, she hid her fear from the police watching her, but her trembling betrayed her anxiety. Tears welled up in her eyes and her intense, helpless fear was palpable.
It was as if a colossal hand had gripped the hearts of the audience, making the scene extraordinarily powerful. When Léon finally unlocked the door, a radiant, almost ethereal light bathed her face. Unexpected applause echoed from below.
"Fantastic, she's all right now," Jessica whispered tenderly.
"Angela wouldn't let anything happen to her, and she'll be fine in the future," Lindsay added, her tone subdued.
Angela remained silent, her eyes fixed on the screen. Every moment with Natalie was precious and Angela was determined not to miss a single one. From her knowledge of her past life, Angela understood that Natalie's acting skills were already impressive at the age of 12. Couldn't a 10-year-old Natalie be considered a prodigious actress in her own right?
Still, such considerations seemed trivial. Regardless of any flaws in the movie, as long as Natalie's brilliance shone through, it would be enough. Angela's mind drifted back to the kiss they shared in New York - a moment of sweetness that seemed to emanate from the depths of her consciousness. The memory threatened to melt her entire being. She wished Natalie was here to hold her, to give her loving kisses and caresses without restraint.
"Nat, you're mine, and no one can take you away," Angela mused resolutely as the movie ended.
...
"Lily, it seems you will have to hold on to me later. Don't let them intimidate you," Angela commented with a wry smile to her friend sitting next to her. Angela's gaze shifted back to the media gathering outside the school. Lacking information on her home address, they had gathered here. Angela regretted declining her father's suggestion to hire a bodyguard earlier.
"I don't think I should go home in your car, Angela," Lily hesitated, her words cautious yet filled with concern.
"Why?" Angela's expression registered surprise that quickly gave way to understanding. The reporters must have been bothering Lily, since she was usually the first to be dropped off. Angela sighed, " Alright, I'm sorry."
"Angie, you know, actually..." Lily started to explain, but Angela shook her head and interjected, "It's okay, Lily. Anyway, I got myself into this mess. I should be the one to apologize." After a moment's thought, she continued, "Could you do me a favor?"
Lily's curiosity was piqued, "What do you need?"
"Do you remember that individual who was spewing nonsense in Tuesday's newspaper? Can you help me find out who it was?"
Lily's tone grew cautious, "Are you planning something against her?"
Angela reassured her, "Don't worry, I'm just going to teach them a little lesson." As she watched her classmates leave the school, many of whom were approached by reporters, she added, "I just want to avoid going through this ordeal again.
After saying goodbye to Lily, Angela approached the school gate, made minor adjustments to her attire, and then joined David, who was stationed at the gate, as they walked to the waiting car.
Similar to before, reporters swarmed around them, bombarding them with tricky or absurd questions. Angela listened to the nature of their inquiries:
"Miss Mason, in your work you have depicted a young girl falling in love with an older killer. Is this a reflection of your own lack of paternal affection?"
"There are reports that Luc Besson approached you about playing the female lead, but you turned him down and suggested Natalie Hershlag instead. Does this indicate a disagreement between you and Mr. Besson?"
Annoyance coursed through Angela. How could she explain why she had written a story with such a dynamic? Maybe Luc Besson had a special affinity for such themes, who knew? Despite cursing their questionable intelligence, Angela kept her composure and answered their questions with a smile. Oddly enough, she felt surprisingly calm at moments like this.
Fortunately, the car wasn't far away. They covered the distance quickly, but it was obvious that the reporters had no intention of letting her off the hook so easily. Microphones and recorders were still pointed at her.
With limited options, Angela turned and said, "All right, one last question."
"Did you recommend Natalie because you're friends?"
A reporter thrust a recorder in her direction.
"We are close friends. I know Natalie well. She's an incredible actress. Recommending her was the right decision, you'll see that for yourself when you watch the movie. Luc Besson wasn't convinced at first, but she proved herself". Angela replied with a smile before getting resolutely into the waiting car.
Little did she know the ripple effect her final statement would have.
