Chapter 1828： Supporting role invitation

Is "Saving Private Ryan" the best war movie in movie history?

This question is bound to have different opinions, everyone can give their own different answers, but there is no doubt that this film can definitely occupy a seat among the top five most outstanding war films in modern film history. Steven Spielberg filmed the most exciting Normandy landing in film history. Even the veterans who participated in the Normandy landing during World War II gave Steven applause. The magnificent long shots and the realism of the record The picture of the battle shows the true face of that battle in front of every audience, shocking the soul.

More importantly, "Saving Private Ryan" focused the cruel and **** war on the brilliance of human nature and the warmth of family affection. It has deeply explored the human nature of the war, and it has also increasingly reflected the thinking behind the war. Steven has injected vitality into this film, allowing this work to be recorded in the annals of history, and at the same time achieving a new pinnacle of Steven's career as a director.

However, when people later mentioned "Saving Private Ryan", they were more about the story behind the film’s journey to the Oscars, because the film’s defeat at the Oscars that year officially marked the Oscar’s entry into the era of "academic public relations." , The strong public relations ability represented by the Weinstein brothers gradually became the biggest variable in the award selection.

At the 71st Oscars ceremony, "Saving Private Ryan" was undoubtedly the biggest prize winner. This work was even considered by many to surpass the "Schindler's List" because the work combines business with The combination of art has reached a whole new level, and even many people thought that the best film, Little Golden Man, has fallen firmly into the hands of "Private Ryan".

But the result was everyone's surprise: The Weinstein brothers relied on a strong public relations operation to let the little-known "Shakespeare Love History" come from behind, realized the Jedi reversal, and won the final best film.

After the Oscars awards ceremony, almost the entire society was a sensation, not only because "Saving Private Ryan" was a big hit, but also because the real name of the opponent "Shakespeare in Love" was not true. "Shakespeare in Love" can be said to be a good work, but there are still some gaps from the best movies, let alone a classic-and the "Saving Private Ryan" it defeated can indeed be worthy of the "classic" "This title.

This decision has also become one of the biggest injustices in the history of the Oscars. Twenty years later, the choice of the 71st Oscar has almost become a humiliating existence, and it has been laughed at by countless people, even the college judges themselves admit it. The wrong choice was made. "Shakespeare in Love" is completely submerged in the long river of history, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who relied on this work to win the Oscar, is also regarded as one of the most parallel movie queens in history, but "Save the soldier" "Ryan" has gone down in history, and time has proven the excellence of this work.

The entire history of the Oscars has entered a new era with the victory of Shakespeare’s love history over “Saving Private Ryan” as the demarcation point. The competition has completely evolved into a public relations battle. Even excellent works must have excellent public relations-the smell of wine is also afraid of deep alleys; at the same time, the concept of "awarding season" was introduced, from the Venice Film Festival in September and Toronto Films. At the beginning of the festival, the public relations battle surrounding the Oscars has started, which has also increased the commercial value-added of the entire award ceremony industry exponentially and further expanded the influence of the film industry.

It can be said that this is an important turning point for the further integration of film art and commerce after the advent of the blockbuster era.

Of course, as far as "Saving Private Ryan" is concerned, it is undoubtedly unfair. This is an absolute classic worthy of being recorded in the annals of history, but it has been reduced to a supporting role. Not to mention that Steven has spent countless efforts for this film, but he has not been able to get the corresponding reward. Fortunately, time has proved Steven's great position as a director.

Since the start of the "Saving Private Ryan" project, Hugo has never thought that he could be one of them. There are two reasons. On the one hand, the real protagonist of this movie is the director. Steven's use of the camera and his The excavation of the story is definitely the biggest contributor to the success of the film; on the one hand, because the actor has basically locked Tom Hanks, Hugo and Tom have the same agent, and it is good for two people to have a personal relationship, so naturally they will not grab Tom. character of.

But today, Steven sent an invitation-and it was also Lieutenant John Miller, this is the actor of the movie.

Hugo was stunned, then he laughed, "Tom suddenly got dengue fever?"

These words also made Steven laugh, "Tom doesn't like to hear such bad news." The script "Save Private Ryan" was first submitted to Steven Spielberg and Tom after being written by Robert. -Hanks are in the hands of two people because Robert believes that these two people are the most correct choice for the project.

In the selection of the leading actor, Robert chose Tom instead of the currently hot Hugo. The main reason is age. Hugo is only 30 years old this year. As a lieutenant who leads a team of eight people, he seems too young. Moreover, the family ties in the background of Lieutenant John Miller’s story will lack a bit of persuasiveness. On the contrary, Tom, who is an absolute good man and a good father representative in Hollywood, has an innate advantage-and Tom is forty-one this year. The age is also right. It can be said that Tom is indeed the most suitable lieutenant among the first-line actors in Hollywood.

Unexpectedly, Robert's idea was immediately responded. Both Steven and Tom had a keen interest in this project, which quickly took shape.

"Currently the script that Hollywood is handing you requires great courage except for the protagonist." Steven then laughed and said, "So, I have no other choice, I think Tom will understand." Wen's words also made Hugo laugh. After he laughed, Steven went on to say, "It's actually the role of James Ryan."

In other words, it is the Ryan in "Saving Private Ryan".

The movie is about after the Normandy landing in World War II, Lieutenant Miller led an eight-man team deep behind the enemy to find James Ryan, a soldier of the paratrooper. Because he was the youngest of the four brothers in the family, and his three elder brothers had been killed in the war, in order to avoid accidents for the last lone seedling, the general decided to return the only son to his mother at all costs.

This "decision" itself is full of tests of human nature. A team of eight people is going to save a person - and a person who is still alive and dead is far more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack. More importantly, the lives of these eight people will also be At stake. Therefore, whether it is the eight-man squad or Ryan himself, the inner struggle and complexity are hard to explain.

"You've seen the script, you should know that Ryan is a challenging character who has strict performance skills for actors. This is the core of the movie, even surpassing John Miller. If his performance cannot convince and impress the audience , Then the entire movie’s efforts are ruined. You know.” Steven continued to explain, “Tom and I have auditioned for at least twenty actors, but none of them are satisfactory.”

To put it simply, the whole movie is to save Ryan, so if this Ryan cannot make the audience like it, the anger and dissatisfaction will be poured out on Ryan like a storm. At the same time, realizing that the eight-man squad is to save himself, Ryan is too happy to be correct, too resistant and unsure of what is good or bad, too at a loss will look cowardly... The change in his mixed mood is undoubtedly maintaining the whole movie The core of success or failure.

In the history that Hugo knows well, James Ryan was played by Matt Damon.

Matt's performance is a very stable and solid type. He knows how to use his appearance to incorporate the dull, mature, and restrained temperament into the role. But Matt’s own acting skills lack spirituality. He is a typical actor who needs to meet the right roles, and most of the roles he plays are similar. Although his acting skills are solid, his breakthrough is not big. Therefore, Matt's Ryan is more of a dull, sympathetic but difficult to express the inner complexity.

Undoubtedly, Matt's version of Ryan will not be annoying, but it is also not letting go, especially the sublimation of the ending lacks the promotion of performance, which is quite regrettable. It can only be said that he completed the task honestly and properly.

Now, Matt is an actor affiliated with an international innovation management company, so naturally he has no chance to participate in "Saving Private Ryan". It's no wonder that Steven will put his brains on Hugo. Among the actors around the age of 30, Hugo's acting style undoubtedly opened up a trend, delicate but explosive, varied and profound.

"Not to mention Tom has wanted to work with you for several years, maybe this is the best opportunity." Steven added again, and he chuckled when he finished." This is not a polite remark, you should believe me."

Hugo was also amused by Steven's explanation, "Yes, I believe it. If I have the opportunity, I also hope to be able to cooperate with Tom." This is also true. Not to mention the challenge and excitement brought by playing the "Saving Private Ryan" script and the role of James Ryan are also impacting Hugo's head.

"I know that you still have a job now, and the schedule for the next period of time is uncertain. However, you at least promise me that you will seriously consider this proposal." Steven's tone is completely a friend's gesture. , He and Hugo are now absolutely on the same level, "Of course, I know that inviting you to play a supporting role is a difficult task, but... if you don't try it, you will never know the result, right?"

Hugo chuckled lightly, "I promise you, I will seriously consider it. I will let Rick send the script over tonight."

After getting Hugo's affirmative answer, Steven hung up the phone contentedly. Hugo stood there, but there was no time to think, he heard Joseph's shout from behind, "Hugo, the next play rehearsal is about to begin."