บท 50: Chapter 50: The Movie is Released
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"Richard, your next opponent is Anthony Tavi. He won a bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympics last year and turned professional in February this year. He has fought seven professional matches and won all of them. Here's his profile and match footage; take a look," Alvin said, handing over a folder.
"Olympic bronze medalist?" Richard felt a twinge of envy.
Originally, he had planned to participate in the Olympics too. However, the boxing event required participants to be at least eighteen years old. During the selection process, he was under eighteen, and his amateur record wasn't impressive enough, causing him to miss the chance to compete in the Olympics.
Fighting against an Olympic bronze medalist this time was a rare opportunity.
But when he took out Anthony Tavi's profile and saw the photo, a flood of memories hit him.
This man was no nobody. By 2004, Roy Jones Jr. would be holding multiple championship titles and dominating the boxing world. In one match, Anthony Tavi knocked out Roy Jones Jr. in the second round, becoming the top light heavyweight boxer.
The profile stated that Tavi had powerful punches, agile techniques, and excellent physical fitness. His overall strength was comparable to Roy Jones Jr.
"He's a worthy opponent. I'll study this seriously," Richard nodded, put away the folder, and left the office.
"Hey, Paul, time to rest," he called out to Paul, who was still practicing.
"No, I want to practice for another hour," Paul replied.
"Don't overdo it. Eight hours a day is the maximum. Any longer, and your body won't handle it. Come on, let's grab a drink."
"If you want to go, go. Don't bother me," Paul said, annoyed.
"Alright, keep it up!" Richard laughed. He turned to Alvin, who had just walked out of the office, and said, "Beating him up worked wonders."
"Let's hope he keeps it up for a few more days," Alvin sighed.
Richard chuckled, slung his bag over his shoulder, and left the gym.
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On December 31st, "In the Name of Love" premiered in the United States. Due to its niche theme, the initial release was limited, showing in only 218 theaters. On the day of the release, Richard and Bundchen attended the premiere in New York.
On the red carpet, he met director Jim Sheridan, actress Emily Watson, Daniel Day-Lewis, and his wife, Rebecca Miller. After introductions, Richard introduced Bundchen to Rebecca and the others.
Rebecca was also in the industry as a screenwriter and director. She married Daniel Day-Lewis last year. Her father, Arthur Miller, was a famous American playwright known for "Death of a Salesman" and was Marilyn Monroe's last husband.
"Richard, Bill said you were fantastic on the set of 'The Murder Case'," Daniel Day-Lewis said as they walked.
"I did my best. I promised during the audition that I would do justice to the role, so I had to work hard to fulfill that promise," Richard smiled modestly.
"You didn't disappoint. I hear the boxing tournament has started. Do you think you can make it to the finals?"
"Absolutely, I'm aiming for the championship belt," Richard replied confidently.
"I love your confidence. Let me know when you reach the finals," Daniel said, patting Richard's shoulder.
"Will do!"
Inside the theater, Richard sat in the front row on the left, with the main cast in the center and several guests like Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, and Dustin Hoffman. Some were Irish actors, and others were friends of Daniel Day-Lewis. The premiere was lively.
At 3 PM, the movie began. It opened with the protagonist skipping rope and practicing boxing in prison before being released. The film interwove many historical events from Northern Ireland. Bundchen, unfamiliar with Northern Irish history, found it difficult to follow. Richard, having researched this history before filming, explained it to her as they watched.
Half an hour in, Richard's character finally appeared. He played Eddie, a boxer, jumping onto the ring shirtless, his muscular physique exuding powerâ€"a visual effect the director wanted to highlight the protagonist's challenging situation.
"That's so cool, Richard. You're perfect for movies," Bundchen said excitedly, eyes glued to the screen.
"Thanks, I think so too," Richard laughed. On screen, he appeared strong and handsome, though his constant smirk made him look like a troublemaker.
In his first match, he defeated Daniel's character.
"Your screen time is quite a lot. Do you have more scenes later?" Bundchen asked.
"Yes, there's another one. Want a spoiler?" Richard teased.
"No, I can guess. Daniel's the protagonist, so according to movie tropes, he probably wins the second match to complete his revenge, right?" Bundchen guessed.
"You're spot on. In movies, the protagonist always prevails."
The second match soon began. The protagonist achieved his revenge, gaining the support and admiration of the public. His influence grew within the political group, causing internal strife that nearly got him killed. In the end, the group's leader, also his father-in-law, saved him, and the protagonist reunited with his family.
Happy ending!
Half an hour later, the movie ended, met with enthusiastic applause, cheers, and even some tears from the audience. Richard noticed that the emotional ones seemed to be Irish, some of whom crowded around the director and Daniel Day-Lewis, full of excitement.
"The audience's reaction is strong. Do you think the movie will be a hit?" Bundchen asked quietly.
"It's hard to say. The theme is too niche. Those unfamiliar with Northern Irish history won't get it. The box office might not be great, but if it does well, maybe I'll become a minor star," Richard joked.
"Don't worry, this is just your first movie. You'll only get better from here," Bundchen reassured him, shaking his hand playfully.
"You're right," Richard smiled. After greeting a few people, he left the hall with Bundchen.
As they walked out, a movie poster caught Richard's eye. It featured a large ship with a man and woman at the bow. It was "Titanic," directed by James Cameron, released on December 19th. With a $200 million budget, it had already grossed over $100 million and received rave reviews.
Seeing the poster, Richard felt that "In the Name of Love" might perform even worse at the box office than expected.
"Sweetheart, I heard this movie is great. How about we watch it?" Richard suggested.
"Let's do it another time. Today is the last day of 1997; we should go home to celebrate the New Year," Bundchen said, holding his hand.
"Alright. What shall we do next?"
"First, we'll go to the supermarket for some groceries, then take a walk in Times Square. How does that sound?"
"Perfect, as long as you don't expect me to cook."
"I can make fitness meals, Brazilian dishes, and a bit of French cuisine. Want to try?"
"That sounds amazing. I can't wait," Richard laughed, driving towards the supermarket.
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