Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 319: A Visit

In the grand, opulent banquet hall, the atmosphere was lively, with music playing and people chatting animatedly. Halle Berry was deep in conversation with Melissa Leo, while Tom Hanks, who had just arrived, was quickly surrounded by a crowd. Danny Boyle and Tom Hooper shared an awkward nod before parting ways. Angelina Jolie sat down and immediately took out a small mirror to touch up her makeup.

Looking at the large round tables, Renly couldn't help but feel amused, as if he were attending a wedding banquet from a past life. All that was missing was a lazy Susan on the table, and the relatives would be gossiping away.

Unlike the tiered seating of other award ceremonies, the Golden Globes were held at the Hilton Hotel, and the seating arrangement was unique. Twelve large round tables were placed on the ground floor, each accommodating ten guests. More tables spread out on elevated tiers, with the third level surrounding the hall's perimeter.

Nominees from key categories like directors, actors, and writers sat at the front tables, resembling a round-table meeting, while other crew members were seated further back. The entire hall felt like a jazz club from the golden age.

Renly scanned the room, searching for familiar faces from the "The Pacific" crew. He hadn't seen them in months since the Emmy Awards. Tonight, due to the Golden Globes not featuring many technical awards, the crew's numbers had dwindled significantly. Out of a 500-member team, only twelve were attending, including actors like Rami Malek and James Badge Dale, along with directors, writers, and producers.

From afar, Renly spotted Rami on the second level, grinning widely. After greeting Ryan, he made his way over, where joyful reunions and warm embraces ensued. His old friends teased him about his two nominations tonight, hoping he would continue the success of the Emmys and bring more glory to the show.

"The Pacific" had only two nominations tonight: Best Miniseries or TV Movie, and Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie. Everyone hoped Renly could shine once again.

In just a few short months, Renly's career trajectory had skyrocketed, but the camaraderie they had built during filming remained unchanged. They laughed and joked as always, enjoying the moment.

When Renly returned to the front round table, most of the seats were already taken. He paused for a moment, scanning the room for his name.

"Over here, Renly, over here."

Renly followed the voice and saw Ryan raising his hand with a beaming smile. Walking over, he saw his name card next to Ryan.

At events like these, seating arrangements were always carefully planned. Putting Angelina Jolie next to Jennifer Aniston, for instance, would guarantee a scandal. Not only should they not sit together, but they should be as far apart as possible.

Renly smiled and greeted the others at the table. It was interesting that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had seated all the rising stars of Generation Y together—James Franco was directly across from him, Natalie Portman sat three seats away from Ryan on the left, and Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone were at the next table, along with Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams.

Next to Renly was Jennifer Lawrence.

"Long time no see," Jennifer greeted with a smile, but Renly critically eyed her outfit, saying, "Are you sure you're at the right table? Maybe you belong at the next one?"

Jennifer was wearing a navy blue patchwork dress that was so dizzying it made her look like she was twenty-seven instead of twenty.

Jennifer wasn't one to back down, though. She quipped, "Are you sure you're here for the awards and not on your way to the beach?"

Ryan leaned over curiously. "You two know each other?"

Renly nodded. "We worked together on the last project." Ryan understood, and with Renly's introduction, he and Jennifer exchanged pleasantries.

"I feel uneasy sitting here," Ryan admitted, adjusting his posture. "It feels like I have arrows in my back."

Their table was placed right in the center, facing the stage, with cameras behind and in front of them. It felt like they were under the spotlight, drawing attention from all sides.

Renly looked around and said, "This is great. When people go up to collect their awards, they'll pass right by us. We can observe their expressions up close, like watching 'Sunset Boulevard' in real life."

"And what if you win?" Jennifer joined in on the teasing.

Renly shrugged. "I don't think I have any chance tonight. Let's not hurt each other here." His mock exasperation made both Jennifer and Ryan burst into laughter.

Renly wasn't joking, though. He knew how Hollywood worked. It wasn't that the Academy had something against him; it was just the way the industry operated. Rules and expectations were deeply ingrained, and they affected an actor's career trajectory.

For actresses, they needed to break through before forty, or it would be incredibly difficult. Legends like Meryl Streep and Katharine Hepburn were rare exceptions. For male actors, patience was key. Getting an acting nomination before thirty was already a big win. The real breakthrough often came between thirty-five and forty-five.

Age was a hurdle for both men and women.

So, getting an acting nomination for 'Buried' was already a huge achievement for Renly. This was only his first film, and he was just beginning his journey as an actor. It was also a small indie film, lacking the depth and prestige to go further in awards season.

Tonight, Renly was simply there to enjoy the event, with no pressure or expectations, even more relaxed than at the Emmys.

"Are you really not nervous at all?" Ryan asked quietly, noticing Renly's calm demeanor as he fidgeted with his hands.

To be honest, in the race for Best Actor in a Drama, Colin Firth was the clear frontrunner. Besides him, Jesse had the hype of 'The Social Network', but Ryan was undoubtedly the second favorite. He had been nominated for 'Lars and the Real Girl' in 2007, and with 'Half Nelson' in 2006, he had the strongest résumé of the contenders. Plus, this was the Golden Globes, where entertainment value often trumped formality. At thirty, Ryan was a solid pick.

As Renly had said, if not for Colin, he'd be rooting for Ryan.

"I'm not nervous now, but maybe when they announce the winners, I will be." Renly joked.

Ryan pulled out some candies. "You like milk candy, right?" He handed one to Renly, then popped one into his mouth himself. "God, why do I feel like this is more nerve-wracking than an audition?"

Auditions were in their control; though the casting director made the decisions, they at least knew the content and technique of their performance. But award shows were unknown, unpredictable, and filled with suspense.

"Maybe because countless women are watching you?" Renly's teasing response made Ryan burst out laughing, easing the tension. Ryan shot a glance at Jennifer, then Natalie, his expression saying more than words ever could.

Renly, on the other hand, quietly cast a glance toward Michelle, which made Ryan fumble. Tonight, both he and Michelle had walked the red carpet separately, and over the past few months, there had been no rumors about any sparks between them. It was clear they were keeping things under wraps.

As they laughed and chatted, the lights in the banquet hall slowly dimmed, signaling the start of the awards ceremony.

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