บท 204: You are the one

This feeling was somewhat subtle. Your favorite movies were now coming to you, seeking your participation in this project. The mixed emotions surged within your chest, leaving you momentarily without suitable words to describe them.

On one hand, a surge of ecstatic joy burst forth from within, causing every muscle in your body to tremble slightly. Your efforts, your struggles, your work had finally received recognition, and it was from a project you admired. On the other hand, an uncontrollable sense of trepidation emerged. What if your performance fell short of expectations? What if, after the conversation, the director decided not to collaborate? What if your involvement compromised the quality of the work, effectively destroying a potential masterpiece?

Before this, "The Pacific" and "Buried" were roles Renly had actively pursued—a result of his careful selection and dedicated effort. But today, the opportunity had come to him, unexpectedly and from a work he genuinely loved. The wonder of rebirth and newfound beauty had made this experience incredibly real.

"So, this is a film about the true face of love," Renly suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind and smiled.

Drake appeared slightly surprised. He had already pitched this script proposal multiple times in pursuit of investments. However, people's focus had centered on long-distance relationships, and no one had realized the true purpose behind his script until now. Yet, upon further reflection, Drake seemed less surprised. His intuition had proven correct—Renly wasn't an ordinary actor.

"Yes," Drake nodded, providing a confirming response. "I want to explore how, in many instances, life isn't filled with melodramatic twists and turns. Love isn't about right or wrong. It's simply about growing distant. They put in effort, they tried, they persevered, yet ultimately they couldn't reach the end. Not every love story reaches its conclusion, nor does every love story succumb to reality."

Not limited to soap operas, many movies often introduce a "shocking twist" to create drama when depicting love. Terminal illness, accidents, financial troubles, infidelity, encountering a scoundrel—these are examples. However, in many cases, the death of love occurs silently in real life. Before one realizes, it has already ended.

"Distance is a form of reality. More accurately, love isn't about right or wrong, nor is it about winning or losing. Love either becomes part of life or enriches it," Renly's words hung in the air. He could distinctly sense a slight pause in Drake's expression, a surge of complex emotions churning within his deep gaze—excitement mixed with exhilaration.

The internal struggle to express his conflicting emotions rendered Drake somewhat uneasy, and his emotions were clearly etched on his face. His fiery and agitated anticipation made him look as if he were sitting on a scorching volcanic stone.

A flicker of shared understanding sparked in Renly's eyes. He could sense that Drake was a genuine film enthusiast. Perhaps Drake wasn't a genius like Paul Thomas Anderson, but he was undoubtedly a loyal and passionate cinephile.

"Does this film have a title?" Renly inquired, all his earlier thoughts mere speculations. What if his assumptions were wrong?

Drake was about to speak, but due to his overwhelming excitement, he was momentarily choked by saliva. He coughed violently, quickly grabbing the latte in front of him and taking big gulps, which eased his discomfort. "Like Crazy", he managed to say between breaths. "I plan to call it "Like Crazy", you know, everything seems as if it's gone crazy, from beginning to end."

Indeed, it was so.

"Renly," Drake set down the coffee cup, composed his thoughts, and then began to speak. "I understand that this is just a romance film, and I'm not Woody Allen. I also know that this is an independent film on a tight budget, and I can't afford to pay you an extravagant salary. However, however!" Seeing that Renly was about to interrupt, thinking he was going to decline, Drake quickly raised his hand to stop him and continued hastily, "I assure you, this will be an exceptionally brilliant work! And the test for the actors is going to be incredibly challenging!"

Due to his urgency, Drake's words became slightly breathless. "Just as you said, I want to explore more about the essence of love through this film, to present the most authentic face of it. So, the actors are crucial. I need you to show the helplessness and reality of love, not only to avoid audience aversion but also to resonate with them. That kind of passion, that kind of struggle, that kind of intensity... well, that kind of sadness, that kind of complexity... I mean, the complexity of emotions. I need the actors to fully display it, without the embellishment of dialogue or the implication of camera language. The audience should be able to read their own answers!"

With determination, Drake finally managed to get his words out, albeit somewhat jumbled. "Here, I sincerely invite you to play the male lead in this work."

As the words fell, Drake looked at Renly in front of him. His emotions fluctuated unpredictably, like a plane encountering turbulence and cold drafts in the middle of winter. Drake was certain that Renly was the leading man he had been desperately seeking, more certain than ever before.

Although today's "Buried" was the first time Drake had encountered this young newcomer actor, Renly's performance on the big screen had completely impressed him. The explosive yet delicate acting conveyed the tension of emotions in its utmost form. Every viewer could clearly and deeply feel the fear, panic, and desperation of being in dire straits.

Most importantly, Renly's deep brown eyes were full of drama. With just one look, the hidden story within drew people in. This was exactly what Drake required for the character Jacob.

"Like Crazy" was a screenplay adapted from Drake's own real-life story. If the actor could have a sufficient understanding of his life experiences and family background, it would be even better. These unseen nuances would give the character more subtle texture. Through their brief conversation just now, Drake's initial hesitation had been completely dispelled—he had found his choice. Renly was the one, unquestionably.

Of course, Renly's physical appearance was a bonus, though not a critical factor, it was still equally important. After all, nobody wanted to see a chubby person in love on the big screen. This wasn't "Sideways" about a midlife crisis; Paul Giamatti's appearance easily resonated with people. This was a young person's love story, brimming with youthfulness.

As Drake gazed at Renly, the turmoil within him grew more intense. Everything had unfolded too quickly, and he hadn't even had a chance to make further preparations. He had rushed and stumbled in extending the invitation to Renly. This wavering between gaining and losing, this feeling, could only be truly understood by those who had experienced it.

What if Renly declined? What if Renly wasn't interested? What if Renly found the script uninteresting? What if Renly thought the subject matter was too heavy? What if Renly's schedule didn't align? What if Renly simply didn't want to do an independent film? What if Renly's agent wanted him to star in a big-budget production? What if Renly demanded an exorbitant salary?

But... Renly was his only current choice, the unique choice. If he missed out on Renly, then what would happen to "Like Crazy"? Would he never find a suitable male lead?

Countless mixed thoughts surged through Drake's mind. At the same time, Renly, sitting across from him, was also contemplating. This proposal was an unexpected surprise for him as well.

From the audience's perspective, Renly loved "Like Crazy". But from an actor's perspective?

Just as Drake had said, Jacob and Anna were two very special characters. There wasn't much sharpness or brilliance about them; they were purely ordinary college students. Not geniuses, not eccentrics—just two ordinary individuals commonly found in daily life. This formed the foundation for awakening the audience's resonance.

The uniqueness of these two characters lay in their need to fully display the entire spectrum of emotions in love—happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy. In the absence of excessive edges, this meant that the actors had to use their acting skills to support the framework and essence of the characters, giving the film a vibrant soul.

However, "Like Crazy" was different from "Buried". "Buried" was pushed to an extreme disaster setting, where lacking in performance intensity meant lacking in authenticity. Moreover, it was a one-man show; all the tension and sparks rested on one person's shoulders. But "Like Crazy" had room for mistakes, as the story of the entire screenplay was rich, and the plot and characters could complement each other.

The story of "Like Crazy" spanned a wide period, nearly five years, and had to depict five years of life within ninety minutes. If the performances fell short, the audience would feel that the emotional development lacked adequate groundwork, leaving them perplexed. Although viewers could sense the emotions rising and falling through the script, which would be enough to grasp the director's intentions, it wouldn't be enough to comprehend the unique emotions of the characters, let alone the reflection after the viewing experience.

However, if the performances breathed life into the characters, the resonance between the characters and the plot would easily draw the audience into the story. They would effortlessly feel the conflicts and tensions in the script, and the explosive power of living in the midst of ordinary daily life would be enough to shock their souls. Just like the later film "Boyhood".

Without a doubt, "Like Crazy" set high demands on the actors, posing a stern test. But...

"Renly, this role is meant for you, you are the one!" Drake spoke again, interrupting Renly's thoughts. His resolute gaze carried an unwavering determination, a blazing enthusiasm that expressed his commitment.