There are countless parties every day in Hollywood, especially on weekends.
Some time ago, "Run Lola Run" became more and more successful at the box office. In addition to Orion's official celebration party, Janet also suggested that Simon hold a party or two at the Palisades mansion to reward everyone, and Simon agreed.
However, before there is time to implement it, there will be no further consequences for the time being.
Tonight's party at Robert Redford's house was to celebrate the official launch of several independent films funded by the Sundance Institute.
The black Chevrolet SUV stopped outside a mansion halfway up the hillside in Beverly Hills. Simon asked Neil Bennett, who was the driver, to pick him up at ten o'clock, then opened the door and got out of the car.
Just as dusk falls.
When Simon entered Redford's mansion, the courtyard was already crowded with people, and men and women were gathering together in small groups to chat. Robert De Niro hadn't arrived yet, so Simon was naturally not in a hurry and quickly integrated into the crowd under the introduction of Robert Redford.
"This is a film that explores the gap between ideals and reality. It's called "The Land of Dreams." Dani has been a nerd since she was a child. She has always been eager to prove herself. When she grew up, she decided to wander around the world. This was made by him because of his cowardly nature. The most daring decision. While Dani was wandering, she met Bev, a girl who was free-spirited and daring. He seemed to see his other half, so one day he suddenly proposed to her... "
In the courtyard, Simon listened carefully to the director named Michael Hoffman telling the story of the film he was about to direct. This was the director's first feature film funded by the Sundance Institute.
After Michael Hoffman finished speaking, Simon turned to another woman listening around him, with a smile on his lips, and said: "Meg, do you want to try the role of Bev?"
The woman is none other than Meg Ryan.
Simon did not expect that the two of them would meet again in the evening after they had just met in the afternoon.
Meg Ryan was wearing a long black suspender dress. Perhaps because of the heavy makeup or because of the night, she didn't look as haggard as in the afternoon.
When she just saw Simon appear, Meg Ryan looked like she had seen a ghost. At this time, she tried to calm herself down and replied calmly: "Yeah, Wei... Simon, what do you think?"
As she said this, the woman raised her chin slightly in demonstration.
None of the men and women standing together expected that Simon would know Meg Ryan. Listening to the conversation between the two, they all looked curious, waiting for Simon's answer.
"Bev should have a flamboyant and unscrupulous character. According to your acting style, this character will become very silly." Simon just shrugged, looked at the other person up and down, and added in the surprised eyes of several people around him: "So, just go to my place tomorrow."
Damn man.
Looking at the changing expressions of the people around her, Meg Ryan thought bitterly and a little frustrated. This guy said this in front of the director. It was basically impossible for her to win this role again.
After taking courage, Meg Ryan was about to retort when Robert Redford came over and said to Simon: "Bob is here, Simon, let's go over."
Simon nodded to everyone and followed Robert to a living room in the mansion.
As one of the four most talented actors in Hollywood in the 1970s, Robert De Niro has reached middle age and his prime has long passed.
However, although it is difficult for Hollywood to rely on one or two works for a lifetime, Robert De Niro's Oscar honors of four nominations and two wins are really too great. Over the years, he is still the hottest top star in Hollywood.
Like many of his screen appearances, Robert De Niro is also a very quiet and even shy person in private, reticent to speak and not good at small talk.
After a few brief introductions, the three of them sat down on the sofa in the living room, and Robert De Niro asked directly about "Pulp Fiction": "Simon, I have read the script several times, but I am still very confused. , I don’t know what exactly you want to express?”
Since he helped with the introduction, Robert Redford had naturally read the script. When he heard De Niro's question, he looked over curiously, obviously having the same confusion.
Even after "Pulp Fiction" was completed, many people still didn't know what was good about it. Simon was not surprised at all by the expressions of the two people.
After thinking about it for a moment, Simon replied: "Bob, I didn't want to express anything through this movie. It's just a story. Just like its name, 'Pulp Fiction', a ridiculous, bizarre, and full of unhappiness." A deterministic postmodern black comedy.”
Robert De Niro heard Simon say this and wondered: "Postmodernism?"
Simon explained: "You can understand it as an artistic expression method that is anti-tradition, anti-authority, anti-continuity, and anti-values."
Robert De Niro nodded as if he understood, and then said: "Simon, maybe you already know your movie, but to be honest, it's hard for me to understand. I even think the script is very poor." , the completely confusing plot, the sudden appearance of characters, and the large amount of unobjectionable dialogue, it all seems inexplicable. You want me to play Butch Coolidge, right? After reading your script, I don’t even know how to structure this character, because I don’t feel any significance for this person’s existence, as if he is there, but at the same time, he seems dispensable.”
"Bob, you have understood this story, and it is very profound," Simon said with a smile on his face and repeated what De Niro just said: "He is there, but he seems dispensable."
Robert De Niro shook his head: "Simon, I don't quite understand."
"Actually, life has no meaning, Bob. Just like us, we are talking about a movie. If we reach a cooperation, we will sign the contract, then start shooting, release it, and look forward to the audience's reaction. This is our life. Similarly, other people also have other people's lives, and they are all doing their own things. But in fact, we are also dispensable to this world, or the entire universe. We are just here, living our lives and doing what we do thing."
Robert De Niro finally looked a little more enlightened.
Robert Redford also showed a hint of admiration on his face, and said with a smile: "Simon, I didn't expect you to be a philosopher."
Simon just smiled and continued: "So, Bob, through "Pulp Fiction", what I want to build is such a world, where Butch, Vincent, Jules, Mia, Martha, Jimmy, Wo Husbands and even female taxi drivers who you may find very awkward, they are all just living their lives seriously. This life is meaningless, but they are there. You think the plot is too confusing, the dialogue is too much, and the characters are too abrupt, But it’s not like that. If you look at it as a real world, you will feel that everyone exists very reasonably. Even in the future shooting process, I will add more and richer details to improve it. This world makes it more real and believable.”
Robert De Niro subconsciously nodded along with Simon's explanation, but finally asked: "What about the audience, Simon, do you think the audience will be interested in such a story?"
"That's the other side of it, Bob. Will audiences be interested? I don't know. I just want them to go into the theater and watch two improvised robbers discussing a robbery in a restaurant, with the female robber talking to him like a little girl. My boyfriend acted coquettishly, and then suddenly turned into a crazy female rabbit; I saw Vincent and Jules discussing burgers on the road like ordinary office workers, and when they arrived at their destination, they looked very polite when it was too late. Wait for a while, then break into other people's homes, read the Bible, and draw guns to kill; watch Butch silently accept the instructions of the gang boss Martha like a useless boxer, and then suddenly beat him to death ferociously in the boxing ring His opponent is on the run with his girlfriend; look at the arrogant and lonely Mia; look at Lance who is dressed like Jesus but sells drugs; look at Jimmy who is more worried about his wife than the police when facing murder. Wait until they finish watching this group of people Absurd, bizarre, people on the verge of madness and collapse, if they start to think about whether Butch and his little girlfriend can escape safely? Will Jules or Mia avenge Vincent? A certain person with a soft accent Will the taxi driver go crazy like a bunny? Will Simon Westeros make a sequel? Then, when the time comes, I will open my arms in my heart and say loudly: Friends, welcome to "Pulp Fiction" of the postmodern world.”
After Simon's words, which were as infectious as a speech, Robert De Niro had clearly shown a somewhat moved expression. Even Robert Redford couldn't help but said: "Simon, listen to you, if I can't play a cameo role in a movie like this, I will definitely regret it in the future."
Simon had already given the script to Robert Redford with this idea in mind.
However, although his achievements in awards cannot be compared with De Niro's, in recent years, the box office performance of Robert Redford's films has far exceeded that of De Niro.
For example, "Out of Africa" two years ago ranked fifth in the annual North American box office rankings. In comparison, from the 1980s until now, the movies that Robert De Niro has participated in are basically large-scale productions, but none of them has a North American box office of more than 20 million US dollars.
In Hollywood, box office performance means celebrity status.
Robert Redford's current salary is obviously higher than that of Robert De Niro.
It is definitely a dream for such a star to join "Pulp Fiction". Simon isn't so arrogant as to just throw in a bunch of new people and get the audience going.
But on the other hand, Simon only has a budget of US$8 million. If Robert Redford participates, he can only reduce his salary or even give a cabbage price. Friendship is friendship, Simon knew that if he took the initiative, it would be too abrupt, and Robert Redford could only speak first about this matter.
Now, hearing what Robert Redford said, Simon nodded without hesitation and said: "Bob, if you can participate in the show, I would naturally welcome it. But I must confess, the budget Orion gave me is not much. .”
Robert Redford didn't know about the contract Simon signed with Orion, but he just said casually: "It's just a cameo, Simon. Let's not mention the salary. Which role do you think I am more suitable for?"
Simon no longer hesitated and said with a smile: "Of course Mr. Wolf. The former 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' lived in seclusion in Los Angeles and became Mr. Wolf, who is regarded as a legend by all the low-level gangsters. This is very interesting, isn't it?"
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was Robert Redford's famous film, and the name of the Sundance Film Festival comes from this film.
"Then Mr. Wolf," Robert Redford nodded crisply, looked at Robert De Niro again, stood up and said, "I have to go out to entertain the guests, Bob, Simon, you two continue Let’s talk.”
Robert Redford saw that Robert De Niro was already interested and that the salary issue would definitely come up next, so he took the initiative to avoid it.
Among the four talented actors in Hollywood in the 1970s, Robert De Niro was definitely the most unique among them. In these years, Robert De Niro has never had an agent, and he has to communicate with the producers himself about salary contracts and other matters.