Chapter 150 – Fame Bigger Than Skill
On its second weekend, Lethal Weapon 3 continued to dominate the box office, earning another $27 million, bringing its 10-day total to $70 million.
Meanwhile, Indecent Proposal earned $15 million in its second weekend, reaching a 10-day cumulative box office of $47.5 million.
Although Indecent Proposal couldn't compete head-on with Warner Bros.' Lethal Weapon 3—after all, the latter was a $35 million action blockbuster—
Indecent Proposal was merely a $25 million drama, and its numbers were already respectable.
What truly surprised the industry was Universal's Tom Cruise–led Western epic Far and Away.
Opening in 1,590 theaters across North America, it grossed only $10.2 million in its opening weekend—
a disappointing result for a film that cost $60 million, performing even worse than Cruise's earlier Paramount film Days of Thunder.
Released alongside it was 20th Century Fox's sequel Alien 3, which opened in 2,227 theaters and earned $19.5 million during its first weekend.
However, Alien 3 suffered from brutally poor reviews, with critics almost uniformly panning it.
"Action films really are monsters at the box office,"
Aaron said lazily, reclining in his chair at Dawnlight Pictures' office.
The summer slate was far from over—Warner Bros.' Batman Returns, Under Siege, and Paramount's Patriot Games were still waiting to hit theaters.
"Boss," assistant Evelyn Beckett reported, handing Aaron a survey file,
"the distribution department says Sleepless in Seattle tested extremely well. Sony is very confident."
Aaron nodded. The Cannes Film Festival had already concluded, and Sleepless in Seattle was now receiving aggressive media promotion.
Nicole Kidman had attended Cannes specifically for its publicity—Dawnlight Pictures handled production and North American distribution,
while international distribution rested with Columbia TriStar.
"Doesn't Tom Hanks also have another comedy coming out this summer?" Aaron asked.
"Yes," Evelyn replied.
"Penny Marshall's sports comedy A League of Their Own. It stars Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna Ciccone, and others.
Sony is distributing it, and it'll release around Independence Day."
Aaron tapped the desk lightly.
"How's Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs doing?"
"Well… under $3 million at the box office," she admitted.
"But its reputation in the indie film circuit is very strong—especially in the UK."
Films like Reservoir Dogs and Raise the Red Lantern had both earned less than $3 million theatrically—commercially insignificant.
But they enriched Dawnlight's film library; art films defined prestige.
"Still," Evelyn added,
"Reservoir Dogs has attracted a lot of celebrity admirers. Tarantino gained quite a few A-list fans."
Aaron stood up.
"Let's wait and see what he delivers next."
He was also keeping an eye on David Fincher.
The failure of Alien 3 had clearly shaken the young director's confidence—but for now, Fincher had returned to directing music videos and commercials.
---
That Evening – Marmont Hotel, West Hollywood
The wrap party for Reality Bites, a Dawnlight Pictures–financed project, was in full swing.
Aaron was genuinely surprised that Ben Stiller had wrapped the film in under two months.
Director Ben Stiller, along with main cast members Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Adam Sandler, and Jennifer Connelly, were all in attendance.
As the party neared its end, Aaron finally arrived.
Since Winona Ryder was both a producer and the film's biggest promotional draw—
and even Ethan Hawke had joined the project through her—she made a point of asking Aaron what he thought of the film.
"Jennifer," Winona Ryder said with a playful smile as she approached,
"do you mind lending me Aaron for a few minutes?"
"Oh, of course," Jennifer Connelly replied.
She gave Aaron a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Go ahead, darling—I'll run to the restroom."
Aaron nodded. After glancing at Winona Ryder, the two walked out onto the balcony.
"Your short haircut actually suits you quite well," he said.
"Really? You think it looks good?" she asked.
"It does," Aaron replied with a grin. "Though it might be a bit too short."
As he spoke, he casually ran a hand through her hair, giving it an extra pat.
"Guess that's the advantage of being naturally beautiful—every hairstyle works."
Winona rolled her eyes. "You already have a stunning Jennifer Connelly. Still not satisfied?"
She rubbed her face lightly and sighed.
"This was my first time producing a film. Luckily, the shoot went smoothly—otherwise your twelve million dollars would've gone straight down the drain."
Aaron chuckled. "In that case, I suppose you'd have to pay me back personally."
After the joke, he leaned against the wall and took out a pack of cigarettes. They each lit one.
"The film turned out well," Aaron said after a drag.
"It's strong artistically. The box office probably won't be huge, but the critical response should be solid. Dawnlight Pictures should still make some money.
By my standards, Reality Bites is a success."
Winona exhaled in relief. "That's good to hear."
She took another drag before adding,
"I've also signed on for Martin Scorsese's new film The Age of Innocence—I'll be working with Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer."
"This year's really packed for me."
"That's the adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel, right?" Aaron asked casually.
He shrugged. "CAA pitched that project to me too, but I wasn't interested."
Winona smiled. "You don't think it'll be good?"
"More or less," Aaron replied.
"Scorsese isn't the right fit for me. His style doesn't align with mine—too little commercial appeal."
In truth, Aaron felt that Scorsese's reputation outweighed his adaptability: venerable, iconic, but rigid.
"Figures," Winona said, tossing her cigarette away.
"Still, I'm really looking forward to working with Daniel Day-Lewis."
She smiled faintly. "He's exceptional—one of the purest representatives of immersive acting."
Among performance schools—classical, method, and immersive—immersive acting went the deepest. Some said it bordered on obsession.
Aaron shook his head. "Just don't go down that path yourself. That kind of acting can swallow you whole."
He paused, then added softly,
"I don't want to see you breaking down on the street again like last time."
"I know," Winona said, running both hands through her hair.
"I broke up with Depp."
Aaron winced slightly, then patted her shoulder.
"Well… you're still young. Focusing on your career isn't a bad thing."
"I've been having trouble sleeping lately," she admitted quietly.
"I need sleeping pills just to get through the night."
She suddenly leaned in and kissed him.
Aaron returned the kiss briefly, then smiled.
"How about this—why don't you come sailing with me this weekend?"
She nodded softly. "…Okay."