America 1987

Chapter 68 Winning Over

However, mainstream Hollywood romantic comedies are not within his core interests, so even if David wasn't wearing sunglasses, he probably wouldn't recognize who the other person was.

"Who are you? A star looking to make a movie with me?"

Quentin took the videotape from the other person's hand. "I'm not interested in romance films. You've got the wrong person."

"Oh, do you often get offers to act in movies?"

"No, not at all," Quentin said, stepping out of the counter, putting the videotape back, and turning to answer, "but it will be in a few years."

Because of his astonishing number of movie views, Quentin, who was still working at a video store, always had a sense of intellectual authority when facing others, and he also had an almost obsessive confidence in his taste in movies and his knowledge.

So those words really were his true thoughts.

"Why don't you make romance movies? Do you have a prejudice against that genre?"

"Hmm," Quentin, seeing that this person hadn't backed down, suddenly became interested as well. "What do you mean? You're really here to ask me to make a movie, or a romance movie?"

Answer my question first, then I'll tell you the answer.

David whetted the scoundrel's appetite.

"Because it's boring."

Quentin scratched his temple and said somewhat awkwardly, "It's also because I don't have much experience. I can't even write a very good script, so I don't have much confidence in directing this type of film."

"A romance movie script?"

"I'd say it's somewhat romantic, though it has some romantic elements, but it's not a traditional Hollywood romance film."

Upon hearing this, David roughly guessed the name of the script—"True Romance".

This is one of the early scripts Quentin Tarantino wrote to raise money for Reservoir Dogs. In the original timeline, he sold it for $91 in 5 and used the money to open his own film studio, officially transitioning into a director.

"Do you remember the main plot? If you don't mind, could you briefly tell me about it?"

"Um,"

Quentin thought for a moment. Judging from the other person's clothes and appearance, they didn't seem like the kind of person who would steal other people's ideas. Besides, it was just a brief description of the general plot, which wasn't anything taboo.

"This is a love story revolving around a drug deal, very much like a novel by Elmer Leonard..."

"How about this: I'll buy your script, and you can come and direct a romance film for me. If the finished film meets my requirements, I can also help you secure at least a million dollars in investment, so you can make a film you truly want to make. What do you say?"

Quentin looked at the other person with some surprise.

He was still somewhat self-aware. Although he had gotten to know a lot of people in the industry, including some first- and second-tier filmmakers, through talking about movies during his two years of working, and had gained some fame in the Los Angeles film circle, that was all.

The rapport built through watching and discussing movies can at most help him sell his scripts a little better. Without any notable works to his name, even the most like-minded friends would never let him direct, especially since he clearly doesn't know the person in front of him.

Why?

Quentin quickly retrieved his treasured Police Story videotape from a drawer and discreetly handed it to the other person. "We're complete strangers, why are you suddenly asking me to direct a movie?"

"I won't tell you that for now," David said, taking off his sunglasses and taking the videotape the other person handed him. "Everything I just said is true. This is my business card. You can call me if you're interested, but you'd better not keep me waiting too long."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

"Hey, wait a minute."

David turned around and smiled, "What's wrong? You've made up your mind so quickly?"

"No, I just wanted to remind you that you haven't paid for the videotape you just took."

……

"How is it? How does it feel?"

David turned to look at Catherine sitting next to him.

The other person had just washed their hair; a few wet strands brushed against his cheeks, causing a slight itch and a fresh scent.

"Yes, it was very good," Catherine honestly shared her viewing experience. "It's just that the female characters had a bit too little screen time, so they didn't leave a very strong impression."

Oh, that's true. Except for a very few films, the female characters in Jackie Chan's movies have always been just pretty faces, even in his most classic film, "Police Story."

"It's okay. I heard that Jack Cheng will be releasing a sequel there this summer. I'll buy the videotape and watch it together then."

David recalled the plot of the sequel and smiled, "Jack Cheng should improve on this issue in the sequel."

Jackie Chan has always had the ideal of making art films, but due to practical considerations, he has only made one serious art film, "Miracle".

Therefore, when he takes the lead in film creation, he often includes dramatic scenes outside of action sequences to demonstrate his acting skills.

Police Story 2 is probably his most authorial work from the 1980s and 90s, apart from Miracle.

There has also been significant progress in the portrayal of female characters; Maggie Cheung is no longer just a pretty face who screams.

Although the first film has a higher rating on Douban, the roles played by Brigitte Lin and Maggie Cheung were a bit too functional.

"Therefore, action movies are inherently less favorable to actresses."

After analyzing why the female characters in "Police Story" were somewhat perceived as mere decorative figures, David continued.

"Unless you're really good at fighting, you'll most likely just be a pretty face in this type of film."

"Then why are you looking at this?"

"What do you mean?"

David reached out and touched the smooth cheek resting on his shoulder. "Am I even being restricted in my freedom to watch movies?"

"No," Catherine said, pushing away the other person's groping hand that had been touching her cheek for a while and was about to explore down her shirt collar.

"I saw you brought home such a high-quality-looking videotape, I thought you were planning to make some new movie?"

No, not at all.

David, somewhat unwilling to give up, tried again. "I've filmed three movies in a row, and I'm really exhausted. I need to rest for a while. I'll have some time to watch other people's movies; maybe I can get some inspiration from them?"

"If you're going to rest, then rest. Why are you always touching me like that?" Catherine said with a snort, pulling her hand away from her collarbone.

"Cathy,"

David turned her around, looked her into the eyes, and said very seriously, "What was the name of the movie you made before 'The Rape of Pear Blossoms'? Do you remember?" "Sex, Lies, and Videotape, huh? What about it?"

"I have the videotape," David said, brushing aside the strands of hair that were stuck to the other's cheek because of the water stains. "We haven't done it for so many days, I don't believe you don't want it, that's your lie."

"Now only the last one, sex, is left."

"Ah, but... but..." Before Catherine could react, she saw the other person had already deftly taken off their top.

"What does this have to do with what we're supposed to do?"

While cooperating with the other person's movements, Catherine pulled her top over her head and asked a question.

"Of course it's related," David replied excitedly while methodically dismantling all of the other person's equipment. "The fact that I named my movie that way reflects my inspiration to some extent, okay?"