Hearing the thunderous applause erupting from the theater, Ryan finally let go of the tension he had been holding in his heart. If he only had a vague idea during the filming, after watching this movie that was in no way inferior to the original version, he had gained a powerful confidence in the path he had chosen.
He remembered someone once said that no matter how talented an actor is, acting is honed through practice. So what did that make him? Sharpening a sword in ten years? Ryan mocked himself inwardly. Perhaps acting had already become a kind of instinct for him.
Many people came forward to express their congratulations to the crew, and Ryan received quite a few himself.
"Ryan, your performance was amazing." These were the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Who would've thought, kid, that you were also the screenwriter of this movie." James Cameron's eyes sparkled, as if he was cooking up some idea.
"Congratulations, Nicole. Your acting is as stunning as your beauty." Harvey Weinstein looked over. "Ryan, are you ready to become a big star?"
Ryan naturally understood the implication behind his words—after all, these things had already been arranged. At this moment, he could only roll his eyes dramatically. "Harvey, if you're using me for hype, shouldn't you be paying an appropriate fee?"
"Hey, Ryan, don't put it that way." Weinstein pouted. "I already regret signing that contract with you and Nicole."
"Trust me, Harvey, once the movie's out of theaters, you definitely won't regret it." Ryan believed that this movie would have many viewers buying repeat tickets.
As with all movie premieres, there would be a press conference after the screening. As the crew moved toward another hall, Pat Kingsley kept whispering to the boy, reminding him what he should and shouldn't say. Finally, she added, "Ryan, if you face tough questions, just shift the focus to me."
"Got it." Ryan nodded. After having gone through the red carpet, his mental state had naturally relaxed quite a bit. "Don't worry, Pat. I know how to deal with those guys. Besides, isn't that what you and Nicole are here for?"
After all, this was an entertainment industry press conference, and the scene was chaotic. The reporters scrambled to ask their questions, and if it were another setting, it would've looked exactly like a street market across the ocean.
After the routine questions directed at the director, producers, and male lead, almost all the reporters focused their attention on Ryan and Nicole. After all, the movie's promotion had mentioned that, aside from the supernatural elements, many scenes were based on the real-life experiences of the two of them.
Especially that little boy—his performance in the movie was shockingly good. And this deeply touching film's script was written by him? That was… hard to believe.
"Ryan, may I ask, is the screenplay truly written by you?"
"Of course." Ryan looked up and glanced at the reporter. The "New York Post" badge on his chest was particularly eye-catching.
"But the movie's insights on family, communication, and life…"
"Not something a kid could've written, right?" Ryan unceremoniously interrupted the tabloid journalist, shrugged, and said casually, "As long as you pay close attention, these things are everywhere around us. Are you saying that all kids are supposed to be fools, incapable of feeling family affection, or understanding the importance of home?"
"Uh…"
The guy was instantly at a loss for words. He never expected Ryan to be so sharp, immediately slapping a heavy accusation on him. That was a tough one to counter. A single misstep could bring down the wrath of the National Parent-Teacher Association and children's advocacy groups—now that would be a disaster.
Reporters and paparazzi are different, after all. While their baseline isn't that much higher, don't forget this was a public setting. Ryan wasn't yet an adult and was still protected under the "Children's Act," so their questioning became a bit more restrained. Most questions turned to things like "How did it feel acting in your first film?", "Where did you get the inspiration for the script?", and "What was it like working with Al Pacino?" and so on.
Especially with Nicole sitting next to him—beautiful and radiant, and just as brilliant in the film—she, with her stunning looks and exceptional acting, had always been the media's darling, naturally absorbing a lot of the attention and taking some heat off Ryan.
"Miss Kidman, we all noticed that you and Ryan arrived at the theater together. May I ask what your relationship is? Also, is Ryan in real life as withdrawn and unpopular as Cole is in the movie?"
Nicole originally wanted to answer the first question, but the second one caused her eyes to flash with a cold gleam. Her already cool demeanor turned even icier. She said coldly, "No comment!"
The press conference, which resembled a chaotic marketplace, finally came to an end. Sitting in the back seat of the car, Ryan shook his head hard. This was still the early '90s—reporters and paparazzi weren't that rampant yet. If it were the era of mass entertainment… who knew what those people would say?
"You okay, Ryan?" Nicole asked with concern.
"I'm fine." Ryan knocked his knuckles together. "Dealing with those guys is even more exhausting than filming."
"You did great," Kingsley, sitting in the passenger seat, praised. "Facing something like that for the first time, and you managed to shut down someone questioning you. You know, Ryan, I seriously suspect you have the soul of a thirty-year-old."
Ryan shrugged but said nothing. After all, flinging accusations was practically a national pastime in his previous life's country. Having lived so many years, he'd picked up a trick or two. Besides, he was currently benefiting from his age. Once he turned eighteen…
Thus ended the movie's premiere. All the reactions would have to wait until tomorrow. Judging from the audience and critics' response after the screening, the movie's word of mouth shouldn't be a problem.
Having lived through the explosion of information in his past life, Ryan was very clear that while good songs always resonate with people, films are more heavily influenced by the social environment of the time. For example, making Brokeback Mountain or Juno during this era would be suicidal.
Among all film genres, horror thrillers and romantic comedies are least affected by social context. Of course, sci-fi films that are detached from reality also fit this category—but the CG technology in movies at the moment was still a major issue.
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"This movie's themes are deeply moving and profound. Although it's a thriller, beneath its terrifying exterior, it explores human relationships—loneliness, family, and communication fill every frame of the movie. We worry over the loneliness portrayed in the film, we are touched by the familial love, and we reflect on the importance of communication. This is the best movie of the 1990s—bar none."
Nicole finished reading and put down the newspaper, looking at Ryan, who was busy eating his breakfast. "You can read the rest yourself."
"Come on, Nicole," Ryan said, stuffing a fried egg into his mouth, speaking with a full mouth, "Read a few more for me, please."
Rolling her eyes, Nicole picked up a copy of The New York Times, quickly flipping to the entertainment section.
"The Sixth Sense combines horror and drama elements, featuring distinct and fully fleshed-out characters. Whether it's the doctor trying to make amends, the mother who deeply loves her son, or the lonely and helpless boy, each of them displays a unique spiritual essence."
"The story is captivating, and the performances of the actors are remarkable. Al Pacino once again delivers the caliber of acting he showed in The Godfather. Miss Nicole Kidman brings a deeply emotional portrayal of a single mother. Special mention must go to ten-year-old Ryan Jenkins, who, through his expressive eyes and exquisite acting, vividly conveys the boy's confusion, fear, and incomprehension. Without exaggeration, he is the brightest star in the film."
"That's it?" Ryan pouted, seemingly unsatisfied with the praise.
"What more do you want them to say?" Nicole glared at him and tossed the stack of newspapers onto the table. "Some of the praise is so cheesy, you better read it yourself."
"Don't be like that, Nicole." Ryan grumbled in dissatisfaction. "Don't you want to see what they're saying about you? Tons of people are calling you a muse—a goddess who combines beauty, intelligence, and acting talent."
Seeing Nicole ignore him completely, Ryan had no choice but to quickly finish his breakfast, wipe his mouth, and dive into the pile of newspapers. Of course, not all the voices were positive. No matter where you are or who you are, it's impossible to win over everyone. And since he didn't want to torture his eyes, he simply tossed the tabloids aside.
The newspapers didn't just contain praise from critics and journalists. Some of the statements made by the cast during last night's press conference were also printed.
For instance, Al Pacino's words were directly quoted:
"The Sixth Sense is an excellent script. Honestly, when I first found out Ryan was the writer, my jaw nearly hit the floor. I'm truly lucky to have accepted this script and to work with Ryan. He's the most talented and gifted boy I've ever seen—you can never keep up with his thoughts. I believe he's no less capable than the best adult actors."
David Fincher also commented on his three lead actors:
"We all know how outstanding Al is. His performance in the film is at peak level. Nicole's acting is as astonishing as her beauty. Ryan? To be honest, I had never met Ryan before filming started, and I thought it would be a disaster. Before this, he had no acting experience. He made a lot of mistakes during the first shoot. But I have to say, he's an incredibly smart kid. He quickly adjusted himself. His performance in the entire movie is obvious to all. He had the fewest number of NGs during filming. And yes, I can guarantee—the script was definitely written by Ryan. He's far more remarkable than you can imagine. As for how remarkable? No comment!"