William or Hugh Grant?

What follows is a long, in-depth analysis of the enthusiastic William.

As William spoke, Ang Lee's expression softened, and there was even a little surprise. He despised pretension, but it was becoming clear that William wasn't just putting on an act. He was genuine.

Meanwhile, Amy Pascal, the woman in the beige dress, kept her eyes fixed on William, her expression contemplative.

Emma Thompson suddenly cleared her throat lightly. "It's been nearly ten minutes since Bradley came in. Don't you think we should start the audition?"

William immediately stopped talking.

Ang Lee addressed him, "I'm guessing you've already gone through the script?"

"I've definitely memorized it," William replied with unassuming confidence.

Ang Lee raised an eyebrow, impressed. Flipping through the script, he stopped at a scene. "Alright. Let's try the part where Edward expresses his sincerity to Elinor, but she insists he honor his engagement to Lucy. Do you remember it?"

"Edward?" William hesitated. "However, I was preparing for Willoughby's role."

In <Sense and Sensibility>, there are three major male characters: Edward Ferrars, the love interest of Elinor; John Willoughby, Marianne's first love; and Colonel Brandon, Marianne's eventual husband.

When William received the script, he had been informed by Amon Goffman that Colonel Brandon's role was already secured by British actor Alan Rickman, while Edward's casting was nearly finalized. This left Willoughby's role as the most competitive, so William had focused his preparation there. Ang

 Lee's sudden request for him to audition as Edward was unexpected.

Emma Thompson interjected, "Why don't you let him perform the scene where Willoughby and Marianne bond over Shakespeare's sonnets after he rescues her? It's a wonderful moment for Willoughby."

Ang Lee glanced at Amy Pascal, then at Emma. "But Edward's role…"

Emma began, "Edward's casting isn't finalized yet, but—"

"Why not let this young man try Edward?" Amy Pascal interrupted with a calm yet authoritative tone. "Emma, you know where I stand. Lee, don't you think it's worth considering?"

Ang Lee, ever tactful, replied, "Looking at different auditions can only help us make the right choice."

Emma's expression darkened slightly, but she didn't argue further.

…

Emma Thompson's connection to <Sense and Sensibility> ran deep. As one of the most celebrated British actresses of her time—with an Oscar for Best Actress at the 65th Academy Awards and another nomination at the 66th—her star power was undeniable. But few knew of her literary passion.

She had been adapting <Sense and Sensibility> into a screenplay for five years, determined to bring Austen's vision to the big screen.

Convincing a studio to back the project, however, wasn't easy. Despite Emma's talent, production companies doubted her ability as a screenwriter. Additionally, her recent critically acclaimed film, <Howards End>, had performed modestly at the North American box office, casting further doubt on the project.

Emma envisioned Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars. His charm and status as Britain's leading romantic actor made him her ideal choice.

However, Amy Pascal wasn't fully convinced. The proposed cast was great but full of British actors, with not a single American name.

A film funded by an American producer, shot by an American company, and distributed in the United States—but featuring an entirely British cast—raises an interesting question: is it an American or British film?

Though Hollywood and the British Isles share close ties, and actors from both regions often collaborate as if they belong to one big family, there are still national distinctions.

In order to take care of the face of the former Oscar-winning actress, Columbia tried to contact Hugh Grant, but he didn't expect Hugh Grant's agent to directly ask for a salary of five million dollars. To be impartila, Hugh Grant, who became popular all over the world in 1994 with the highest-grossing British movie of all time <Four Weddings and a Funeral>, is indeed worth so much now, but the problem is that the total investment in <Sense and Sensibility> is only 16 million US dollars.

Every actor involved has taken the initiative to reduce their salary, director Ang Lee, The second actor Alan Rickman, the second heroine Kate Winslet and the heroine Emma Thompson have a combined salary of only as much as five million.

Emma Thompson, who both starred in and adapted the screenplay, offered to negotiate directly with Hugh Grant to persuade him to take a "friendship rate." Columbia, however, saw this as an opportunity to hold additional auditions under the guise of finding a more affordable Edward Ferrars—and potentially introducing an American actor into the ensemble.

Though Thompson had significant creative authority as the film's lead actress and screenwriter, she couldn't outright reject Amy Pascal, Columbia's vice president and the film's producer. Pascal's influence had been pivotal in securing funding and distribution for the project.

This delicate balance of power led to the current audition.

…

Ang Lee nodded toward William. "Let's see the scene I mentioned earlier."

William hesitated. He knew that the selected scene was one of the script's most challenging. It came at a climactic moment when Elinor and Edward's restrained emotions teetered on the brink of eruption.

... ↓ The following is the plot of the movie, in order to facilitate the narrative, descriptive language is used...

The story begins with Henry Dashwood, the owner of Norland Park, on his deathbed. He has four children: his eldest son John from his first marriage and three daughters—Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret—from his second.

Under English inheritance laws, daughters could not inherit property, so upon Mr. Dashwood's death, his entire estate passed to John. On his deathbed, Mr. Dashwood extracted a promise from John to care for his stepmother and stepsisters.

However, after Mr. Dashwood's passing, John, under the influence of his selfish wife Fanny, reduces their financial support and plans to evict them from Norland Park.

Fanny's younger brother, Edward Ferrars, soon visits Norland. Edward is kind and unassuming, quickly forming a deep bond with Elinor. However, Fanny disapproves of their connection, hoping her brother will marry a wealthy, noblewoman instead.

When Edward returns to London, the Dashwood women move into a modest cottage owned by a kind neighbor. And Marianne begins a romantic entanglement with the charming Willoughby. Meanwhile, Elinor learns from her cousin Lucy that Edward has been secretly engaged to her for five years, a revelation that devastates Elinor.

Though Edward makes his true feelings for Elinor clear through his actions, his sense of honor compels him to keep his promise to Lucy. Heartbroken yet rational, Elinor urges him to fulfill his engagement.

…

The audition scene William was about to perform centered on Elinor and Edward's relationship at its breaking point. In this scene, Edward visits Elinor, longing for her affection, while Elinor gently reminds him of his obligations to Lucy. Torn between duty and desire, Edward leaves.

William stepped back to the door, readying himself for the performance. He quickly visualized the emotions, lines, and gestures, replaying the scene in his mind until it was second nature.

For the audition, actors were generally expected to perform their scenes alone, with no partner. However, as William was about to begin, Emma Thompson surprised the room. Script in hand, she stepped forward, ready to play Elinor opposite William.

…

"The maid said, 'A Mr. Edward Ferrars has come to see you, Miss Dashwood.'" Emma Thompson looked at the script and acted as both narrator and counterpoint for William. She read, "Elinor said, 'Please let him in.'"

William, who was outside the door, heard Emma Thompson's voice, was slightly stunned, and quickly regained his composure.

He straightened his back, his arms hanging naturally at his sides, and walked lightly from the door to Emma Thompson.

His walking posture was full of classical beauty, but his hands were held weakly throughout the entire process. It was slightly unnatural, as if something were restraining his body. In the script, Edward's every appearance is meticulously dressed, with all the skin of his body, even his neck, tightly wrapped in a white scarf. This was meant to represent his "suppressed" personality. William deliberately chose this gait to reflect that.

"'Mr. Ferrars,'" Elinor said as she greeted him.

"Miss Dashwood." William's gaze was fixed on Emma's face, and he looked at her intently as he saluted her.

"Thank you for coming so quickly."

"I'm glad to have your invitation." There were not many people who remained friends with Edward after he was stripped of his heirship. William's tone was both joyful and apprehensive: "I don't know what you think of me. I know I have no right to say more..." His trembling lips, clenched fists, drooping gaze, and low tone all revealed the deep uneasiness in his heart.

"I have good news for you. Please, take a seat."

William glanced at Emma, playing Elinor, in confusion. He then took a few steps and sat down across from her.

Emma continued reading, relaying Colonel Brandon's kind offer to Edward.

William did not immediately pick up the next line. He lowered his head and sat in silence for a few seconds. Then, he raised his head again, looked directly at the imaginary Miss Elinor, and asked, in a tone of disbelief and extreme weakness, "Colonel Brandon?"

"Yes, he wants to show concern for your plight."

"Colonel Brandon wants me to preside over the parish?" William looked intently into Emma's eyes. "Is this possible?"

The intensity in his eyes made Emma stutter as she read the next line: "No, you can't reject people thousands of miles away because of your family's ruthlessness."

"No, I'm not targeting you." William's tone deepened and lowered. Anyone could hear the deep sadness in his voice. To highlight the heartbreak, he clasped his hands together. His brown hair swayed from side to side as his voice trembled: "I know that you have brought it all in, and I wish I could express it, but I'm not good with words..."

Emma continued to read her line—Elinor persuading Edward to accept the job, saying that Colonel Brandon was a helpful gentleman and that Edward was more than capable of being a priest.

William's expression changed suddenly.

He held his head high, his anxiety gone, and his apprehension vanished. His expression became a little provocative, and even his voice became louder: "Colonel Brandon must be a man of high moral character."

Ang Lee's eyes lit up. William was showing jealousy. Although the change in tone and expression wasn't too obvious, he was clearly portraying Edward's jealous side.

Although neither the original book nor the script indicated that Edward should feel jealous at this point, one could imagine that when a young lady who admires you is chatting about another unmarried man, Edward would indeed feel jealous. He certainly deserved to.

It seemed that William Bradley had fully absorbed the script and the book. Ang Lee thought to himself.

"Yes, Colonel Brandon is the best man in the world." Emma Thompson said.

William's expression immediately became extremely lost.

He lowered his head and rubbed his hands unconsciously: "Yes, then why didn't he tell me personally?"

"I think he believes it's better to talk to his friends."

After two seconds of silence, William finally spoke, his voice harsh:

"You're the best I've ever had in my life... friend." The last two words lingered on William's lips for a long time before he spat them out. His green eyes were filled with mixed emotions, and he transformed into the handsome, kind gentleman of the seventeenth century—one who suffered major setbacks in both family and love.

Emma Thompson's heart was about to leap out of her chest. Her gaze was uncontrollably glued to the young man in front of her. Hugh Grant's figure seemed far away at that moment, and William Brandley's face gradually overlapped with Edward Ferrars.

After five seconds of silence, Emma Thompson continued her final lines: "I'll always be your friend. You keep your promises. It's more important than anything else. I wish you and Miss Steele... happy forever."

William's eyes overflowed with pain at this moment.

…

The room was quiet.

Ang Lee broke the silence: "Very good, very good. William, thank you for the performance you brought to us."

William took a deep breath and stepped back from Emma Thompson. He nodded to Ang Lee and Miss Pascal before turning to leave the room.

A question from Amy Pascal caused William to pause in his steps: "I want to ask you a question, Mr. Bradley. Can you ride a horse?"

Ang Lee glanced at Pascal with a strange expression.

William turned around and replied, "My equestrian skills are quite good. I even fed a thoroughbred horse myself when I was a child."

"Is that horse still with you?" Amy Pascal asked with some curiosity.

"No, she was sold to pay off debts when the Bradley family went bankrupt a few years ago." William did not hide the fact that his family had once fallen on hard times.

Pascal nodded inwardly, thinking that William was acting just like Edward at this moment—a kind, frank, and sincere young man.

Seeing that no one else wanted to ask him anything, William turned and left the room.

He didn't know if he would get the role of Edward Ferras, but he knew he had put on his best performance.

The rest is left to God's mercy…

///