King of Hollywood

Chapter 158: Chapter 158 Jim Award

Adrian returned to Los Angeles on January 18. Originally, he had planned to stay in Krakow for an additional two days because the 1:1 scale model of Auschwitz Concentration Camp had been completed, and Spielberg was planning to move there for filming. However, he had to give up following the crew and return to Los Angeles, as the Golden Globe Awards ceremony was to be held on January 20 at the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, nearly a month later.

Last year, he did not attend the Golden Globe ceremony because he had not submitted any nominations, but this year, almost all nominations included contributions from Bossworth Film Company, except for a few special awards. Therefore, attending was inevitable.

The first Golden Globe Awards were held in 1994; initially, there were no ceremonies. Generally, the organizer would just invite journalists to a press conference to announce the winners. However, as the Oscars further established their status, the Golden Globe Awards began to hold a ceremony as well, although calling it a “BANQUET” might be more apt.

Unlike the Oscars, which traditionally take place in a theater, the Golden Globes opted for a hotel venue. Setting up multiple round tables in the grandest and most luxurious hall allowed attendees to enjoy fine dining and quiet conversation after the awards presentations. Although the event could not host thousands like the Oscars, everyone present held significant status within Hollywood, adding to the scene’s allure.

“What’s the matter, Kate? Is something bothering you?” After greeting the members from the “Pulp Fiction” crew at a nearby table, Adrian turned around and noticed Kate’s complexion seemed off.

“No, nothing.” Kate shook her head and squeezed out a smile, attempting to appear normal. Her light gray slender-shoulder evening gown made her look very elegant, and the necklace she wore around her neck added a touch of luxury.

“No, no, no. There’s definitely something on your mind; don’t try to fool me,” Adrian said, clapping his hands and then giving her a meaningful look, “Is it because I was just flirting with Julia?”

“What does… What does this have to do with Julia?!” Kate stammered, eyes wide.

“Nothing to do with her? When I returned from talking to her, didn’t you…” Adrian smirked and gestured with his hand, then looked towards Julia, who was sitting at a nearby round table, “We just exchanged greetings.”

Dressed in a light platinum sheer-shoulder evening gown and wearing large wavy hair, Julia seemed to sense something and quickly turned her head away. When she saw it was Adrian, she rolled her eyes, shook her head, and turned back around.

“Oh, really, treating me like that,” Adrian complained, “It was just a joke.”

Okay, it was just a very subtle hint about her appealing lips, and she surprisingly caught on.

Seeing Adrian’s innocent expression, Kate couldn’t help but laugh, pulling at his jacket, “Okay, Ed, it’s not about Julia, I just…”

“If not Julia, then who?” Adrian quickly interrupted her, clearly seizing the opportunity to tease her. But as he turned his head to the side, his gaze met with Drew’s, who was at a nearby table. “Guncrazy,” although an independent film, was invested in and distributed by Bossworth Film Company, so their crew wasn’t sitting far from “Howard’s End” and “Pulp Fiction.”

Drew then threw him a seductive look. Dressed in a vivid red one-shoulder silk evening gown, she looked striking. Her legs crossed and the calf exposed, although not perfectly curved, were seductive in their own right, especially as her pointed high heels tapped up and down, giving a provocative feel.

Bold indeed, Adrian thought to himself, shaking his head. Though her actions were discreet, this was still a public event. Then again, if she weren’t bold, she wouldn’t have made that move at the “Jurassic Park” premiere after all.

Okay, that’s not the point; the point is that Kate was right beside him at that moment, seeing Drew’s actions quite clearly. Glancing at her, her expression indeed changed slightly. Just then, a quiet laugh from Monica came from the adjacent table.

As one of the nominees for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globe Awards, Monica naturally would not miss this event, her first nominations for a performance award. Naturally, she sat with the “Pulp Fiction” crew next to “Howard’s End,” having a clear view of every move Adrian and Kate made.

She was wearing a black deep V-neck backless evening gown today, her ample chest carefully displayed, and with her well-groomed appearance, she looked particularly alluring.

Adrian now had no time to admire, as he stealthily glanced at Monica and then dismissed the thought of continuing to tease. He grasped Kate’s hand and patted it, “Alright, I know what you’re thinking.”

He looked at her seriously and asked, “Is it because when we came in, I didn’t clarify your identity to the reporters?”

“I…” Kate opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything, only turning her head away.

“I was just going to make a joke at that time,” Adrian continued softly, with a faint smile that appeared sincere, “but then I ran into Tim and the others, so I spoke briefly and we came inside. Can you accept my apology? After the award ceremony, I promise, I’ll introduce you to them.”

“No, Ed, I was just…” Kate turned her head back to argue but became embarrassed upon meeting Adrian’s discerning gaze.

“Okay, that’s settled,” said Adrian, squeezing Kate’s hand to stop her from speaking further. “The award ceremony is about to start. We’ll talk about everything after it’s over.”

With that, he scanned their surroundings. As the host took the stage, everyone, including Julia and Drew, turned their attention to the stage. Only Monica appeared to be resting her face in her hands while watching above, but Adrian could feel her gaze lingering on him and Kate, accompanied by an indefinable air of melancholy.

There wasn’t much to mention about the Golden Globe awards since it was a dinner and had fewer interludes than usual. However, unlike Cannes, the presence of a skilled host kept the atmosphere lively, often cracking jokes that had the guests laughing non-stop, nullifying any hints of dullness.

Unlike her nomination promise, Laverne didn’t assure anything this time—it wasn’t surprising because even if the jury was biased, they wouldn’t give a definite answer. For one, the bestowal wasn’t for a single judge to decide, and even if most were influenced, it wouldn’t be disclosed among them; secondly, affirming it would mean admitting backdoor dealings, which no one would foolishly acknowledge.

Yet, the award results were pretty much as Adrian anticipated. Best supporting actor in a drama went to Al Pacino and best supporting actress to Emma Thompson, while the best director award was presented to “Unforgivable” directed by Clint Eastwood—Adrian’s biggest competitor, an old man who had merits both as an actor and a director, whose experience outshone Adrian by a wide margin, a gap not easily bridged by one or two films.

Best Drama, however, went to “Scent of a Woman,” with Laverne going up to receive the award—a practice common in the United States, where movie awards are generally bestowed on the film company rather than the director.

Naturally, Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Drew Barrymore, who was so overwhelmed that she almost couldn’t speak. Whether it was genuine or a performance was hard to say. Although this was the most prestigious award she had received in her acting career, her parents’ names were conspicuously included in the thank-you list.

Everyone knew Drew despised her parents; her father had never cared for her, and her mother had always treated her like a cash cow, as she unreservedly revealed in her autobiography written the previous year. Under normal circumstances, most people might not like their parents but wouldn’t mention it during their speeches; yet, Drew not only mentioned them but also expressed gratitude… There could be no other explanation besides performing. It’s normal—every actor performs when receiving an award, without exception, as they have to maintain an image, and even showing personality has its place and time.

Of course, genuine excitement is to be had, but good actors would control and adjust, letting their emotions show appropriately as dictated by societal interactions. For instance, Drew, while thanking the producer, paused with her gaze on Adrian for about five seconds but ultimately didn’t say anything like “Thanks to Adrian.”

Adrian noticed this and, like most people, applauded to congratulate her. However, after clapping, he went to console Monica. Although Monica had understood from Adrian’s detailed analysis that her chances of winning were slim, she still felt inevitably disappointed when the presenter read Drew’s name. People around her began to console her, and Adrian took this opportunity to speak a few words to her.

Monica quickly adjusted and didn’t say much, only shaking hands with Adrian before glancing with a smirk-like expression between him and Kate.

“Why does Monica seem a bit strange?” Kate couldn’t help but whisper as Adrian sat back down.

“It’s nothing, she isn’t taking it to heart,” Adrian dismissed the concern briefly and didn’t continue.

After the award ceremony came the dinner. Although the food was exquisite and plentiful, few ate their fill, sampling only small bites. This was similar to the Oscar banquets—highly public occasions with press and media presence, where no one wanted to be seen scarfing down food in tomorrow’s newspapers or on television; these gatherings served more as a stage for show than a place for dining.

Thus, after the dinner, many still avoided the reporters and grouped together to dine out Adelaide it were almost as if Cafe Kieranparty while the others scattered two by two. Adrian seized the opportunity to invite many to a party. “Scent of a Woman” had won the Golden Globe for Best Drama, and of course, it was time to celebrate properly, not at the hotel but at Adrian’s villa. (To be continued, for further information please visit www.qidian.com. More chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)