Noise, clamor, commotion.
The Chinese Theatre screening hall couldn't quiet down.
This was Anson's first project after "Spider-Man" skyrocketed him to fame. It was the last hope after a rollercoaster holiday season, and the shock and excitement of the red-carpet premiere tonight still hadn't subsided.
Excitement surged.
You could clearly feel the thrill in the air, as the media prepared for tomorrow's storm. But mostly, it was the fashion journalists who were buzzing; the film reporters, meanwhile, were trying to capture the premiere's vividness in writing, seeking to offer something fresh amid the endless reports, minds racing, emotions soaring.
Even as the audience settled into their seats, the silent rush of excitement and tension refused to fade. No one was making noise, yet the restless energy was palpable.
Then, as Anson entered, the room reached a new peak.
Anson tried to stay low-key—no security, no entourage, just quietly slipping into the screening hall alone, without making a fuss.
But the audience recognized him instantly.
Laughter.
The fervor of the fans, Anson's appearance, and the buzz outside the film itself transformed the premiere into a party, momentarily setting aside the usual clichés to savor the experience and let loose.
But tonight was different.
Suddenly, the audience erupted into heart-wrenching screams.
Before tonight—
It seemed like a Christmas miracle was happening.
"Trust me, you won't want to miss the chance to brag to your friends about what you experience tonight. But first, let's enjoy it."
"Anson, you look amazing."
The crowd simply wouldn't settle down.
Media reporters were once again boringly emphasizing how grand the premiere was, how confident the creators were, and how the audience must see this film in theaters.
Anson, who was about to take his seat, stood up again, spread his arms, and gave a slight shrug.
Another movie, another premiere—Anson's 101st of 2002. People generally thought such events were lacking in novelty and spectacle, full of predictable screaming and fawning. Regardless of the film's quality, premieres always seemed the same: actors and directors tirelessly repeating how much effort they put into making the film and how much they hope the audience will enjoy it.
Until the critics' reviews dropped, tearing away the hidden mask.
In response, Anson called out with a smile, "Careful, by the time the film ends, you might fall in love."
A sense of camaraderie filled the room.
A ripple of laughter and commotion quickly spread through the screening hall. Anson, unable to resist smiling, greeted the audience along the aisles and ended with a big hug for Tom, who had just arrived.
Amid the laughter and commotion, someone even whistled—
And then, things got interesting.
With a wave of lighthearted teasing, Anson and Tom smoothly took their seats.
The hall erupted in laughter.
"How's that?"
Teasing, joking, all with a bit of self-praise thrown in.
Laughter echoed throughout the room.
Melvin stared at Anson in astonishment as the screening hall grew more and more lively and noisy, unable to settle down. Was this the right approach?
But then—
Anson didn't take his seat. He turned to the audience, lifted both hands, and signaled for applause.
That gesture immediately sent the audience into a frenzy. Even the celebrity guests attending the premiere exchanged puzzled glances but followed along with the clapping. No one really knew what Anson was up to.
But even Steven and Tom joined in with applause, so why not?
Everyone joined the fun.
Anson started waving his hands like a conductor in front of an orchestra, the applause growing louder, joined by whistles and cheers.
Until—
A pause.
Anson lowered his hands.
The audience was momentarily caught off guard and instinctively followed Anson's lead, falling completely silent.
Then, with a snap of his fingers toward the projection room, Anson turned and took his seat.
In one seamless motion.
The lights dimmed, and a beam from the projector illuminated the big screen.
The movie finally began.
Yet—
In the darkness, the audience and guests finally realized what had happened. They exchanged wide-eyed glances, both amused and impressed, but couldn't find the words to describe it. One by one, they looked at each other like fools, wide-eyed and speechless.
Quietly, smiles crept onto their faces.
But strangely enough, this time, no one spoke. The restlessness had completely disappeared.
The only certainty was that the storm in their minds hadn't calmed.
According to The Washington Post, Anson Wood seems to possess a unique charm: light-hearted yet clever, humorous yet playful. He constantly teases, but instead of feeling offended, people join in the fun. At tonight's premiere, Anson once again showcased this magic, sparking curiosity and anticipation even before the movie started—something you don't usually find in a Steven Spielberg or Tom Hanks film.
They hit the nail on the head.
This is Anson's charm—captivating the audience and making them look forward to what's next.
A premiere is still just a premiere, but also so much more.
Whatever the case, Catch Me If You Can had officially begun, and on Christmas Eve—
Steven Spielberg always claimed to be a commercial director, admiring the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford. He never thought he'd win an Oscar and never wanted to confine himself to art films.
Entertainment. Imagination.
These were always Steven's key elements in filmmaking.
His summer hit Minority Report was too serious, too heavy. But with Catch Me If You Can, Steven returned to his familiar style.
The opening sequence immediately showed off some playful humor.
It started with a comic-style opening, full of retro flair, instantly grabbing the audience's attention. The opening then transitioned into the story with a witty twist.
"Thank you, and welcome to Real or Fake."
A retro-style TV game show.
The screening hall was full of questions, as all kinds of speculation began to emerge. But overall, it wasn't too shocking or unexpected.
Opening a movie with a TV show and zooming out to reveal a character watching the screen isn't all that uncommon.
However, the real surprise came soon after.
"Our first guest is someone who made a living as the most shameless conman, someone we've never invited to the show before. You'll soon see why."
As the game show host introduced the guest, three men in pilot uniforms appeared on screen.
The man in the center… wait, wasn't that the tall, handsome Anson?