[Chapter 419: America's Sweetheart Meg Ryan]
After a night of joyful partying, all the girlfriends slept in the next day.
In the afternoon, Link took several of his girlfriends who weren't expecting to the AMC Theater on Sunset Boulevard to attend the premiere of The English Patient.
Guess Pictures had been gaining a lot of buzz recently, and many famous filmmakers came to show support, including the Weinstein brothers, Columbia Pictures president, Gemma Laroney, Robert Shaye, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis and his wife, Jim Carrey and his wife, and many others.
The red carpet was star-studded, filled with big names.
...
After the premiere ceremony, Guess Pictures hosted an after-party at the Hilton Hotel to entertain guests and media who came to support.
At the party, everyone gathered around Link, praising The English Patient and wishing the movie a big success. Some even brought up potential movie collaborations, and Link did not decline, asking Daniel DeVito to take charge.
Many actresses had come to the premiere, but those who didn't get a chance to talk to Link directly tried to connect through some of his girlfriends, hoping to hitch a ride on Link's coattails.
...
"Jodie, are you and Michelle serious?"
Meg Ryan, the former America's sweetheart, holding a champagne flute, quietly asked as she looked toward Link in the crowd.
"What?"
"Are you guys planning to be Link's girlfriends long-term, not just casually?"
"Of course. We aren't the type to play around," Jodie Foster shrugged. Out of discretion, she hadn't told Meg that Michelle Pfeiffer was pregnant - Meg would have been shocked if she knew.
"What's so great about Link that makes you openly accept being with him despite what others might think?"
Meg was most curious about this. No matter the time or place, being a side lover or the third or fourth partner is not considered respectable.
Jodie Foster, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Diane Lane were all stars and public figures who cared deeply about their image. Yet, after becoming Link's girlfriends, they openly shared their private relationships, ignoring public criticism. This baffled many, including Meg, who didn't understand why they'd do this or what benefits they gained.
Jodie smiled slightly, swirling her champagne glass. "I haven't dated much, so I don't know about other men, but from my experience, Link is a perfect man. He exceeds all my needs and desires. Being with him, I feel happy every moment. Michelle and Diane feel the same."
"Really? Is he.."
Meg made an insinuating gesture with her hand.
Jodie blushed and gave her a look. "Don't be so crude. If it were only that, it would get boring over time. What matters more is our intellectual connection, our soul communication. It's just amazing, beyond explanation."
"That amazing? Sounds like magic."
Meg winked and put her arm around Jodie's shoulder with a laugh: "Honey, can you introduce Link to me? Let me experience your happiness too."
"No. Link is too wonderful; you'll get hooked. If you get hooked and don't let go, Michelle and I will have one more competitor, and I don't want that," Jodie joked.
"That's selfish! We're friends, and when you weren't interested in men before, I helped you. Now you have Link, and you've forgotten me. That's so selfish."
Meg playfully reached to grab her face, but Jodie laughed and dodged cheerfully.
...
Nearby, Nicole Kidman stood with two beautiful women.
One was Naomi Watts, who rose to fame with a supporting role in Scream. The blonde, red-dressed young woman had the face of a Barbie doll.
The other was the elegant Cate Blanchett, also from Australia, recently invited by the Paradise Road cast to shoot a film in Hollywood.
Nicole was preparing to introduce them to Link.
Though the girlfriends within Link's circle were amicable and teamed up as allies, private competition and cliques existed.
The trio of Lily, Monica, and Sophia formed the largest group and were the most adept at seeking favoritism.
Jennifer Connelly had an edge but was aloof, disliked competition, didn't form cliques, and was close only to indie actresses like Winona Ryder and Liv Tyler, though they too received much favor.
Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster formed their own faction; both were older, famous, and very tactful, becoming the rising stars of Link's girlfriend group with growing influence.
Nicole Kidman, after joining the circle, tried to recruit a few to compete for Link's affection, but since she joined late and lacked status compared to Michelle, Jodie, Sandra, and others, she had little pull.
So she resorted to bringing in outside help, hoping to please Link this way, confident he would like it.
"Cate, have you signed with a talent agency yet?"
Nicole Kidman, dressed in a gold sequined gown with long wavy golden hair and striking pale skin, was one of the event's highlights.
"No. I've heard the big four agencies in Hollywood have high standards, especially the top four. It's tough to get in."
Cate Blanchett replied.
"Yes, the Big Four rarely sign newcomers these days, only established actors. But if you want, I can help you get in."
Nicole smiled slightly.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
Cate seemed tempted. In Hollywood, joining a Big Four agency or one of the Big Eight studios was the real gateway to the entertainment party. Anyone outside that circle could only get small roles.
Naomi Watts chimed in, "That's no problem for Nicole. She's Link's girlfriend now; Link is a UTA shareholder, a senior partner at WMA, has close ties with CAA, and deeply collaborates with ICM in modeling. Link is like the king of Hollywood. Nicole can get things done without Link even saying a word."
Nicole shrugged. "It's mostly cooperation and resource exchange. And Cate, you have the qualifications to join the Big Four; I'm just making the introduction."
"Thank you, Nicole. Meeting you in Hollywood is my luck," Cate said gratefully.
"You're welcome!"
Nicole smiled.
After Link finished entertaining guests, Nicole brought Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett over to introduce Cate, the fellow Aussie.
---
The English Patient premiere was a huge success. The next day, many critics wrote praising articles about its high production quality.
The media hailed it as the "most touching love story of the year," an "epic romantic film," a "classic masterpiece in romance," and praised Link, saying he never disappoints.
Fans loved the movie too.
Sophie Marceau, Julie Delpy, Diane Lane, and others praised it as the best romance film they'd ever seen and called Link the most talented director alive, surpassing Godard, Hitchcock, and Spielberg. They said he would be the greatest director in film history.
James Cameron called and complimented The English Patient, calling it the most touching film among all of Link's works.
Steven Soderbergh and Richard Linklater said they wanted to learn film craft from him.
Quentin Tarantino, less friendly in tone, criticized him for his personal exploits and stock market gains before making The English Patient, saying all good fortune clustered on him, making it hard for him to have friends.
Tom Cruise also called and praised Link and The English Patient with many flattering words and hoped to act in one of his films.
Michael Ovitz laughed on the phone to congratulate Link, hopeful that Link would win an Oscar next year.
Harvey Weinstein's congratulatory tone was heavy. His "congratulations" felt more sorrowful than sincere.
Many expressed kindness toward Link, even enemies.
---
Due to its good reputation, The English Patient became the year's hottest movie by the end, getting more media exposure than any other film released simultaneously.
After a week of screenings, it grossed $38.51 million across 2,471 North American theaters, easily clinching the weekly box office crown.
Second place was New Line Cinema's comedy Michael starring John Travolta and Andie MacDowell, about an oddly styled, temperamental angel.
It earned $27.62 million in 2,141 theaters, also very competitive.
Third was Tom Cruise's Jerry Maguire with $17.03 million for the week, accumulating $82.35 million in North America and expected to cross $100 million in two more weeks.
Toy Story dropped to fifth, grossing $9.84 million, with a total of $135 million.
Scream earned $1.33 million, total North American box office $101 million, becoming Guess Pictures' fifth film this year to surpass $100 million.
After The English Patient's release, Link attended several promotional events in North America and returned to Ireland and France with the crew for more filming before New Year's Eve.
*****
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