Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 125: Eating Popcorn]

By early 1993, the nominations for the 50th Golden Globe Awards and the 65th Academy Awards were announced in succession.

As expected, neither Buried nor Paranormal Activity received any nominations. Robert Downey Jr. earned a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for his role in Chaplin, and he also snagged an Oscar nomination in the same category. Tom Cruise received a nomination for Best Actor as well. Director Rob Reiner, who had previously criticized Link, received nominations for both the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Director for his film, A Few Good Men.

After receiving his Oscar nomination for Best Actor, Robert Downey Jr. shared his reflections on a celebrity talk show. He expressed that when Chaplin was released early last year, it faced significant pushback from industry peers. He felt that the film suffered from unfair treatment in terms of promotion and distribution, which led to disappointing box office returns. Now, with nominations from both the Oscars and Golden Globes, including Best Actor, he believed that Chaplin proved itself to be a quality film. He argued that box office performance did not necessarily equate to cinematic quality.

As he spoke, Robert Downey Jr. appeared very emotional; his eyes were red and his lower lip trembled as if he had finally received justice after enduring a decade-long struggle.

...

"This guy knows how to act; he's better than what he showed on screen."

In a snowy Provo, Utah, vacation home, Monica sat cross-legged on a plush sofa, cradling Cecilia in her arms. The little girl snuggled against her, her big eyes fixated on the television, motionless as Monica gently brushed her hair.

"Maybe the reports about him being a junkie are true," Lily mused, expressing her discontent with Robert Downey Jr.'s situation. "Link, do you think he has a chance of winning the Best Actor at the Globes?"

"The chances are slim. Al Pacino is also nominated for Best Actor in a Drama this year, and it looks like he has a better shot," Link replied, sitting by the fireplace as flames danced. He swayed the roasting rack while preparing food for all of them.

...

On-screen, Robert Downey Jr. wiped his eyes and stated that while Chaplin didn't perform well at the box office, it received accolades from various film award entities. He criticized blockbuster films that grossed hundreds of millions yet were fundamentally poor in quality. These lucrative films, he remarked, made money but lacked merit and quickly faded from public memory.

When the host inquired if he was referring to Paranormal Activity, Robert merely shrugged, indicating that everyone already knew about that film. He noted that such releases set a dangerous precedent, as many filmmakers began to prioritize profits over quality, which could lead to an influx of bad films and ultimately harm the livelihood of filmmakers.

"The industry is in dire straits, and films like that should simply be banned before they even hit theaters," he concluded passionately, chewing on his words as if he had a personal vendetta against Paranormal Activity.

When asked by the host which film he would choose -- one that could make hundreds of millions upon release or one that could win an Oscar for Best Picture -- Robert Downey Jr. chose the Oscar without hesitation. He emphasized that he made films out of a love for the art, not for the money.

The host then mentioned Downey's upcoming movie, Heart and Souls, asking about its release date in summer. The host congratulated him on the potential success at the box office, but Robert interjected, stating that he hoped for recognition from critics more than financial gain.

...

Link shook his head as he served up the grilled meat to Monica, Lily, and Cecilia, noting that even if the food was average, the experience of grilling in a snowy cabin felt wonderful.

...

Robert Downey Jr.'s appearance on the ABC talk show raised eyebrows and garnered attention, especially after he publicly criticized Link and Paranormal Activity. This, incidentally, reignited focus on Paranormal Activity, which had been out for over four months.

Many filmmakers rallied behind Downey Jr., joining in on the critique against Link and Paranormal Activity, reiterating that Link was a director of poor-quality films and that viewers should exercise caution regarding his work.

...

Faced with increasing criticism, Link took time during his vacation to respond. His approach was straightforward; he had Michael Leeson accuse Robert Downey Jr. of hypocrisy in a Los Angeles Times interview.

Prior to starring in Chaplin, Robert Downey Jr. had appeared in numerous commercial films, including Tuff Turf, Weird Science, Less than Zero, True Believer, Chances Are, and others, that were generally of low quality and budget. His performances had been underwhelming, resembling mere trophies.

Now that he had acted in a decent art film, he was quick to condemn others for their inferior work -- characteristic of double standards. Many believed he lacked the standing to judge anyone else.

The studio's criticism struck a chord, leaving Robert Downey Jr. momentarily speechless.

...

Following this, Richard Gere and Dustin Hoffman spoke out in support of Robert Downey Jr., claiming that his comments were meant to advocate for the industry as a whole. They argued that the root issue lay with another individual, who had become arrogant after gaining success and was unresponsive to outside feedback -- it was not Downey's fault.

...

Before Link's camp could counter, Quentin Tarantino addressed the situation at a film event. He recounted his visit to the set of Paranormal Activity with Steven Soderbergh back in May. Upon seeing Link filming inside a house, he initially believed it was an adult film and suggested that Link change the script to avoid going down the wrong path.

Link, however, rejected his advice and insisted on making Paranormal Activity.

Quentin had made a bold prediction that the film would flop, yet it ended up grossing over $600 million worldwide -- an astronomical figure.

He shrugged, admitting that he never imagined the film would be such a hit.

"Thank goodness Link didn't heed my advice," he said, noting that otherwise, the world would have missed out on a truly thrilling film.

Using this as an example, Quentin touched on the subject of independent filmmaking, asserting that many indie directors have their own distinctive styles. Even if they are flawed, it's still their unique vision, and outsiders who don't understand filmmaking should not criticize them. After all, Link's films had performed remarkably well, with returns exceeding 3000% -- no one had the standing to critique him in the industry.

Quentin's comments sparked significant discussion within the film community.

...

Meanwhile, reports of a confrontation between Link and Richard Gere at the premiere party of Bram Stoker's Dracula surfaced in the media. The reports suggested a bloody altercation had erupted that left the scene chaotic.

This was a big scoop, and the American public eagerly joined in on the latest gossip, savoring the drama unfolding around them.

*****

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