It was natural and smooth.
And it perfectly matched the movie and the event.
Travis's sudden involvement didn't disrupt the flow. In fact, it made the surprise event shine even brighter with post-screening interaction.
Brilliant.
The audience's gaze naturally shifted to Anson.
Travis barely had time to feel nervous after speaking, his mouth dry, and his heart pounding.
But to his surprise, Anson noticed Travis looking over.
"I like your question," Anson said, not in a whisper, but directly into the microphone, flashing Travis a smile. "God, how I've longed to share some behind-the-scenes moments. I mean, I worked on a movie with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Please, let me brag a little, okay?"
Ha-ha, ha-ha-ha.
Even Travis couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
Then Anson stopped joking and gave the question some serious thought.
"When I found out I'd be working with Steven, the first image that came to mind wasn't the shark from Jaws… that was the second."
Ha-ha.
"The first was E.T.. For me, that represents a crucial core of Steven's films: innocence and imagination."
"That pure, simple emotion, yet it's also complex and deep. Because as we grow up, that sincerity often fades, and we rely on movies, literature, and art to remind us—hey, you once believed in fairy tales."
"Catch Me If You Can is no different."
"I don't think Steven was trying to downplay crime. I think he was capturing the complexity of young Frank Abagnale."
"At first, everything was simple, even innocent. But once things spiraled out of control, he realized there was no way back."
"So, the script, the character, and the movie itself carry a sense of innocence. It's more about a kid growing up than a crime story. How does a child become an adult? How does he, awkwardly, learn about responsibility and trust?"
"Sure, crime is crime, and he rightly deserves punishment. But after the crime, life goes on. How do you learn from the past, avoid making the same mistakes, and get back up after you fall? That's what the movie focuses on."
Wow.
Nicholas almost wanted to give Anson a standing ovation—
Brilliant!
Over the past few days, Catch Me If You Can has become the hottest topic of the holiday season, and critics have quickly banded together.
Many argue the movie glorifies crime, portraying young Frank Abagnale's criminal life as particularly enticing, and presenting it with humor. Such a movie becoming the holiday hit undoubtedly challenges traditional values, law, and order.
"You wouldn't want your kids watching this movie."
Gradually, protests and calls for boycotts have started to emerge, with some Catholic parents even demanding local theaters stop showing Catch Me If You Can.
However, there's one key point—
Catch Me If You Can is rated PG-13, meaning it's not suitable for children under 13 without parental guidance.
Titanic and Harry Potter are also PG-13, meaning the MPAA has already issued a warning. Parents can choose whether to let their kids under 13 watch the film.
So, theaters ignored the parents' demands.
In response to this backdrop, both Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have made statements.
Steven wasn't too concerned, while Tom's response was measured. Neither managed to calm the controversy, but it was clear they weren't too bothered by it.
Now, with Anson's response, he elevated the conversation to a new level. It was a brilliant reply.
Catholicism and Christianity preach forgiveness. Everyone is a sinner and must seek redemption. The focus isn't on the mistake but on how to correct it and continue living afterward.
Though Anson didn't mention religion or address the protests directly, the message between the lines was enough to quiet the controversy.
Nicholas thought it was the perfect response. He was already brainstorming ideas. Even if he didn't cover tonight's flash mob, there'd be no shortage of material for tomorrow's report.
Travis noticed it too.
But encouraged by Anson, Travis found a bit more courage and didn't stop there. He asked a follow-up question.
"Aren't you worried kids might see this and get the wrong idea? Thousands of 16- or 17-year-olds could end up like young Frank."
Booing erupted from the crowd.
Anson didn't mind, giving Travis an encouraging look, a smile creeping across his lips—
And then.
Anson suddenly remembered Quentin Tarantino once tackled this very question in an interview, years before it gained major attention.
So, when was that interview?
He chuckled.
Travis noticed Anson's broader smile and was confused: Is this really a funny question?
Seeing Travis's anxious expression, Anson's eyes and lips were full of amusement.
He wasn't sure about the exact date of Quentin's interview, and to avoid revealing himself as a time traveler, he decided not to risk it.
"Hey, here's the thing."
"When I was a kid, my parents didn't stop me from watching movies, any movie really."
"The Godfather, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Bonnie and Clyde, It Happened One Night… You name it, I probably watched it. These were all movies kids shouldn't watch."
"Then one day, I realized this, and I got scared. I nervously asked my mom, 'What am I going to do?'"
"Do you know what my mom said?"
Travis, now more relaxed, looked at Anson, "What did she say?"
Anson replied, "She said, 'Dear Anson, it's just a movie. You're not going to be ruined by what you see on screen. It's just a damn movie. I'm more worried about the news you watch every day. God, shouldn't the news be rated?'"
Ha-ha, ha-ha-ha.
The whole crowd roared with laughter.
This time, Nicholas couldn't control himself. He stood up, clapping and whistling, as a massive wave of applause surged through Washington Square.
Not just Nicholas, but Travis also clapped for Anson.
One second, the crowd was laughing.
The next, applause filled the air.
Clap, clap, clap!
Cheers, whistles, and applause flooded Washington Square, roaring like a tidal wave.
This was clearly something Anson hadn't expected. A small joke had turned into an all-out celebration—
It seemed that, at this moment, movie lovers had united.
The diverse faces in front of him suddenly seemed a little adorable.