Hugo began reflecting on the male lead's character in Sleepless in Seattle. Tom Hanks had imbued the role with many qualities—stability, dependability, warmth. But what was Sam, the character, truly like in the story?
After marrying his wife, Sam devoted himself entirely to her and to their household. Once they had a son, he became a gentle father and a thoughtful husband—a typical idealized American parent. Even after his wife passed away, Sam remained deeply attached to her memory, mourning yet resilient, lonely yet independent. He cared for his son with meticulous attention, all while believing he would never find another woman like his late wife: loving, considerate, witty. That image immediately took shape in Hugo's mind.
So where did Hugo align with Sam's character, and where did he diverge? Hugo had no trouble embodying the loving, devoted husband. But the gentle, fatherly aspect—that was a chasm for him, the weakest point compared to Tom Hanks' portrayal.
Yet Hugo's thoughts began to expand. Not all fathers have to be like Sam, the kind and steady father Tom Hanks had created. There are countless ways to be a father. Tom's Sam is just one type; other types exist. Hugo began imagining: if he were a father, what kind of father would he be?
In Hugo's mind, fathers tended to be stiff, serious, and poor at expressing their true emotions, burdened with the responsibility of the entire household, making communication with children difficult. But Hugo did not want to be that kind of father. He would communicate with his child, even if it didn't always go smoothly. Even if he couldn't be the child's friend, he would make the effort.
Then, what would Sam look like if Hugo played him? Being twenty-five with an eight-year-old child didn't match the film's timeline. Thirty years old? Makeup could help him appear that age. And considering all Hugo had experienced, portraying a thirty-year-old man would be challenging but not impossible.
Sam likely met his wife in high school. They dated for several years, married after college, and had their son, Jonah, in the first year of marriage. The couple shared a simple, happy life, filled with everyday routines, minor quarrels, and small disagreements—but they stayed together. Sadly, Sam could not walk to the end of life holding his wife's hand.
His love for his wife was transferred to his child. Sam centered his life around Jonah, but he could not conceal his inner loss and loneliness. In front of Jonah, Sam tried to act normally, taking on both parental roles, yet he could not replace his wife. Perhaps Sam might attempt a new relationship but could never find someone who truly matched his late wife. To Sam, "no one could be as perfect as my wife," which only deepened his longing for her.
Hugo could play such a role. Why wouldn't he? Even though Hugo had never raised a child or been a father, the most important qualities of fatherhood—responsibility, family values, maturity, and rationality—he possessed in abundance. Hugo's understanding of parent-child relationships had also deepened, particularly after his recent argument with his own father, Adam, that Christmas.
If Hugo were to play Sam in Sleepless in Seattle, how would his portrayal differ from Tom Hanks'? Tom's maturity and composure were evident in both his appearance and demeanor. Hugo, with his youthful look, would appear as a young, devoted father. His actions would be more energetic, perhaps adding a hint of romance to the otherwise restrained character.
At that moment, Hugo understood why Rob believed he was suitable for Sam. In A Few Good Men, Hugo had already demonstrated composure and subtlety, inspiring trust beyond what his looks suggested. His dedication, comprehension of roles, and focus during work made him convincing. Rob trusted that Hugo could imbue Sam with additional charm, making the widower in Sleepless in Seattle both believable and compelling within the film's fairy-tale-like story.
With his thoughts clarified, Hugo smiled. If Rob and Joseph had faith in him, what reason did he have not to trust himself? None at all.
To give up before even trying, to deny oneself before making an effort—that was not Hugo's style. Sam's role in Sleepless in Seattle was challenging, yes, but not beyond Hugo's abilities. He could incorporate his interpretation into the role, creating a Sam unlike any other, telling a slightly different version of Sleepless in Seattle.
So Hugo decided to give it a try. If, after his efforts, Nora still deemed him unsuitable, he would accept the result—it would simply mean he wasn't yet ready for the next stage of his growth. From there, he would continue working tirelessly to become an even better actor.
Perhaps Sleepless in Seattle was not just an opportunity, but a challenge. Unlike The Firm, in which he could play the lawyer role with relative ease, Sleepless in Seattle offered potential for growth and new possibilities in his acting career.
Of course, he hadn't yet auditioned for either film, so the outcome remained uncertain. But Hugo had already made his decision: he would give it his all. Even at twenty-five, playing a widower was an incredibly daunting challenge—but he would not give up lightly.
From initially rejecting the proposal out of fear, to now embracing it, Hugo's thought process had undergone a sweeping transformation. For the first time, he seriously contemplated a profound question: What kind of actor do I want to become?
"Joseph, I've decided to give it a try," Hugo said. "Not just because Rob recommended it, but because I want to challenge myself."
"But… is this role really right for you?" Now it was Joseph who was uncertain. He worried not only about the role itself but also about the script. "Is this story really suitable for you? Could it hinder your acting career? You've never done a romance film before… If you try it once, you might be typecast as a pretty-boy actor. Oh God…"
Romantic comedies—so-called "chick flicks"—were a very particular type of film. Throughout Hollywood history, countless actresses gained recognition from them, but male actors were far rarer. First, male roles were often secondary; second, if a man became a decorative lead, it was difficult to recover. Female leads could rely on a broad audience, but male leads only gained wider recognition much later, in the second decade of the twenty-first century, when female audiences began being valued as a demographic.
Joseph's worry was not unfounded. Hugo had a handsome face, easily typecast as a decorative actor. He had fought hard to make a name for himself with A Few Good Men and Scent of a Woman. If one romantic comedy ruined all that, what then?
Joseph worried—and worried sincerely.
Hugo felt a flicker of hesitation hearing Joseph, because he didn't yet know what kind of actor he would become in the future—it felt too far off, too uncertain. But then, he reaffirmed his determination. "Joseph, I don't know what kind of actor I want to be right now, nor do I know what I'll be able to become in the future. It's too vast a question—no one can see the future." Even someone who had traveled from another time couldn't see it, after all.
"But for now, I want to first become an actor who is willing to challenge himself," Hugo continued firmly. "So I want to give it a try. Even if Nora doesn't think I'm suitable, I want to work hard and see what I can do. Perhaps through constant attempts and failures, we'll discover a path forward." Hugo's conviction gradually calmed Joseph, though he still looked at Hugo with lingering uncertainty.
Hugo went on, "Sleepless in Seattle isn't just a simple romance film. The male role plays a major part in the story. And the lead isn't a decorative figure—he's a widower, a man with a family, a child, a history, and depth. This role isn't simple; on the contrary, it's highly challenging."
Hugo paused, giving Joseph a moment to absorb his words. Joseph finally emerged from his pessimism, his gaze clearing. "If Nora doesn't think I'm suitable, that's fine—I didn't think I could do it at first either. But if we don't try, how can we ever know? As you just said, this might be an opportunity—a chance to break my own limits. Continuing to play a lawyer isn't hard; but going from student to lawyer to widower—that leap is huge. If I succeed, it would be an incredible opportunity…"
"But what if you fail?" Joseph's brow still carried a trace of worry. His concern was largely because he didn't yet fully understand his role as an agent. He felt like he was feeling his way forward. Hugo had finally had an outstanding 1992—Joseph didn't want to ruin it.
Hugo laughed at that. "So what? At worst, I'll just win another Golden Raspberry Award and we'll start again."
Hugo's lightheartedness made Joseph smile. Deep down, Joseph knew that if Hugo did win another Razzie, it might not be so easy for him to bounce back. Yet he didn't voice that worry. He knew that, as Hugo said, his acting career was just beginning. If Hugo hesitated or feared failure, his potential might never go beyond a certain point.
Hugo didn't know what kind of actor he wanted to be, nor what he could ultimately become. But Joseph was certain—he would never be content with staying where he was.
"All right," Joseph said, a newfound confidence swelling within him. "Then we'll work hard again when the time comes!"
For the first time, Joseph felt an unprecedented faith in Hugo.
....
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