[Chapter 455: The Golden Globe Awards]
Titanic was in its fourth week of release, playing in 2,746 theaters and bringing in $37.14 million, with a total U.S. box office gross of $206 million.
The international box office continued to grow as well, pulling in $273 million this week from 97 countries and regions, with total overseas revenue reaching $788 million.
In January, the awards season kicked off with the announcement of the 55th annual Golden Globe nominees.
Guess Pictures had nine films nominated.
Saving Private Ryan received five nominations, including Best Drama, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
Evita got five nods as well, in the Musical or Comedy category: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Original Song.
Boogie Nights had two nominations: Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
Girl, Interrupted also had two nods: Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
Fight Club was nominated for Best Screenplay.
My Best Friend's Wedding had three nominations in the Musical or Comedy category: Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.
Primal Fear received one nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The Ice Storm had two nominations: Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress.
The Legend of 1900 got one nod for Best Original Score.
The foreign film nomination went to The Sino-Dutch War 1661.
Including co-productions with Columbia Pictures and New Line Cinema like L.A. Confidential and 12 Monkeys, Guess Pictures had even more nominations overall.
However, Titanic was the film with the most Golden Globe nominations -- eight in total -- including Best Picture, Best Director, and both lead acting categories.
...
After the nomination announcements, the media buzzed about which film would dominate the awards season.
Despite Saving Private Ryan's strong quality and critical reception, most media outlets backed Titanic as the biggest winner.
Titanic sparked tremendous global excitement, with terms like "Titanic," "Jack and Rose," "My Heart Will Go On," and "I'm Flying" becoming household phrases.
The film also made significant impacts on the industry, including technical innovations and production standards. It perfectly blended CGI with live-action footage, advancing special effects technology.
Moreover, it reshaped the global movie market by becoming the fastest film to cross the $1 billion mark, drawing increased investment into the film industry.
Titanic became a cultural phenomenon, combining romance and disaster elements to become a global pop culture icon, influencing later disaster films greatly.
From these perspectives, Titanic was likely to be the season's biggest winner.
...
Link shared this view, so after the awards season started, he and his PR team took a break from all promotional activities.
"It's such a shame. Without Titanic, Saving Private Ryan would definitely be the biggest winner this year," Julie Delpy said by the estate swimming pool, flipping through a newspaper.
"It's okay. Both films are Guess Pictures projects. Titanic winning means higher overseas box office," Renee Zellweger replied, sunbathing in a bikini.
"But if Titanic wins, Link won't get the Oscar for Best Director," Charlize Theron, applying sunscreen, added while lounging on a chair.
"It's okay if he doesn't get it. Link is young and talented. He'll make great films one after another. If not this year, then next or the year after," Cameron Diaz said, kissing Link's thigh.
"Yes, we can't let Link win too early. Sometimes after getting a big award, filmmakers lose motivation," Jodie Foster remarked.
"Is that true, Link?" Drew Barrymore blinked playfully.
"No. Filmmaking is my job. As long as I can, I'll keep making films -- maybe for fifty or even a hundred years," Link said, gently stroking Naomi Watts' soft blonde hair.
"A hundred years? You'd be over 120, barely able to walk. You still want to make movies?" Jennifer Lopez laughed.
"Yes, as long as I can stand, I'll keep going."
"Link, you have to admit you're a dedicated director. All of us should learn from you," Sofia Coppola said, putting down her magazine.
"Thank you, learning is mutual," Link smiled.
He patted Naomi on the behind and walked to the three-meter diving board by the pool, executing a clean, swift tucked 720-degree spin dive.
The ladies around cheered loudly.
Jennifer Lopez, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Cameron Diaz all jumped in, swimming around Link.
The crystal-clear pool was soon filled with long, beautiful legs.
---
The Golden Globe Awards ceremony took place on January 18. The day before, Link and his nominated girlfriends left the estate and headed back to Los Angeles for the event.
The results aligned with media predictions: Titanic was the biggest winner, taking Best Drama, Best Original Song, and Best Original Score.
Saving Private Ryan only won Best Screenplay.
Evita took Best Musical or Comedy Picture and Best Actress.
Girl, Interrupted won Best Actress, with Winona Ryder taking the award.
Boogie Nights scored Best Supporting Actress with Julianne Moore.
The Sino-Dutch War 1661 won Best Foreign Language Film.
Though Saving Private Ryan didn't win more awards, overall Guess Pictures films performed well. Combining wins with their co-productions, Guess Pictures practically swept the Golden Globes this year.
...
"Link, it's such a pity. Without Titanic, Saving Private Ryan would have been the biggest winner," Michael Ovitz said, looking glum, even more regretful than Link.
Link smiled softly. After the ceremony, many said this; some truly felt sorry for him, but more were secretly amused.
His reply was consistent: "It's okay. Titanic is a rare masterpiece. Losing to it is still honorable for Saving Private Ryan."
"Haha, almost forgot Titanic is your film too. You win, and you make more money overseas -- that's enviable," Ovitz said with genuine envy.
Guess Pictures had released two films within a year that each surpassed $1 billion globally. If he had that success, Ovitz was confident he could rally shareholders to oust Michael Eisner and take control of Disney.
"Hey Link, congrats on another banner year," New Line Cinema's Robert Shaye and Columbia Pictures' Jon Birds toasted him.
...
"Harvey, what are you doing?" from a distance, Bob Weinstein grabbed Harvey's arm to stop him approaching Link.
"Why? Link is a partner. Guess Pictures won many awards. What's wrong with congratulating?" Harvey shrugged off the arm.
"Are you really here to congratulate and not cause trouble?"
"Of course. I'm not reckless enough to start a fight here."
"Alright," Bob reluctantly believed Harvey but followed him closely, wary of any outburst.
Harvey held a grudge because last year, the two companies co-produced Fight Club and Evita. Fight Club's $42 million budget required over $100 million globally to profit but made only about $41.35 million in North America and roughly $30 million overseas. Miramax expected losses over $3 million.
Evita, even with its Best Musical or Comedy Picture and Best Actress wins, grossed only $48.6 million domestically and $7.45 million overseas against a $55 million budget, with Miramax expecting over $6 million losses.
Together, the two projects caused Miramax to lose upwards of $10 million last year.
This infuriated Harvey.
Guess Pictures had 17 releases that year. Their 15 solo films either succeeded at the box office or broke even, with two crossing the $1 billion mark globally. Only the two Miramax collaborations lost money.
Harvey suspected Link intentionally undermined Miramax by ensuring these flops. That fueled his anger.
...
"Ha! Link, congrats. Guess Pictures will top the box office again this year. Amazing!" Harvey grinned, trying to sound sincere.
"Thanks. We got lucky," Link said modestly.
Harvey's face twitched, restraining harsh words.
If he had more money and power, he wanted to grab Link by the collar and tell him to quit the facade.
"Ha! Sometimes luck is a kind of skill. I dream of being as lucky as you," Harvey chuckled.
Link detected bitterness and envy behind the smile and grinned softly.
The Miramax losses weren't his doing; Harvey had personally selected those projects. No wonder no one blamed Link.
...
"Hi Link, Mr. Weinstein, hope I'm not interrupting," said Kate Winslet, the Titanic's leading lady, greeting warmly. She wore a white off-shoulder gown that was elegant and flattering, exuding a charming fragrance.
"Kate, great to see you. You're definitely the star shining brightest at tonight's ceremony," Harvey said, puffing out his belly and laughing.
"Thanks!" Kate's eyes shifted to Link. "Link, do you agree?" she asked.
She glanced at Winona Ryder, Julianne Moore, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Aniston nearby, all Golden Globe nominees themselves and Link's girlfriends. Each was a leading lady at any party.
Link smiled. "Yes. You're every man's dream worldwide. Wherever you go, you hold every man's gaze. You're not just radiant -- you're magnetic."
"Every man worldwide, including you?" Kate stepped closer, eyes sparkling.
"Of course. I represent men worldwide."
"Ha! What an honor."
...
Harvey's smile darkened, overtaken by anger and jealousy.
Though he greeted Kate warmly, her focus was all on Link, flirting skillfully, practically climbing into his bed.
They teased each other, ignoring his presence entirely, treating him like furniture.
Harvey clenched his teeth, reminded of his school days -- unattractive, overweight, short, and ignored by girls. He was a shameful virgin at 22.
He swore to become a big shot with many women, so all would look up to him.
Having exploited resources and actresses over the years, he thought he'd made it.
But Kate, Link, and his girlfriends' coldness slapped him back to that unpopular boy.
Filled with rage, he craved success and respect like never before.
"Harvey, we should go," Bob reminded him.
Harvey snapped out of it and saw Link and Kate had left. He now stood amid Winona Ryder, Jodie Foster, and Jennifer Aniston, all beaming and captivating.
His facial muscles twitched, and his expression turned snarling, greedy, and ambitious again.
*****
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