The Greatest Showman #648 - Re-creating the Boom

Just a year ago, Buried Alive debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and emerged as an unexpected sensation. Despite facing heavy competition from The Social Network and The King's Speech, it made a significant impact, sparking countless discussions. Now, a year later, Crazy Love is making its own mark at the festival, and Renly Hall's name has become the focal point of attention.

The 300 million-dollar North American box office haul of Fast and Furious 5 still lingers in people's memories, and Crazy Love rides in on the momentum from the Sundance Awards. Despite the competition from The Presidential Killing Bureau and the heartfelt Parting in Berlin, Renly's skyrocketing popularity has already placed him alongside Hollywood giants like George Clooney and Brad Pitt, drawing fervent enthusiasm from local Canadian audiences.

In just one year—an earth-shaking transformation!

Before Crazy Love even premiered, the long lines of eager fans easily surpassed the record set by The President's Killing Bureau earlier that year. Once the film opened, the atmosphere quickly shifted from subdued to electric, erupting like a volcano. The red carpet for the premiere was packed, with attendees shoulder to shoulder, proudly displaying Renly's commanding presence.

With an interview lineup of over 300 reporters and more than 1,500 onlookers, it was clear that Crazy Love—a film with no big-name stars, no massive budget, and no marketing gimmicks—had overshadowed The Presidential Killing Bureau, becoming the hottest premiere of the festival. The enthusiasm that had been ignited by George Clooney the night before reached new heights.

It's worth noting that the "unknown" film was graced by a star-studded red carpet. Ryan Gosling and Paul Walker made expected appearances, while Seth Rogen, Rami Malek, Gal Gadot, and Rose Byrne were also in attendance. But it was the arrival of George Clooney and Gary Oldman that had reporters buzzing. The biggest surprise came when Scarlett Johansson showed up, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Speculation immediately followed: What was Scarlett's connection to Renly? George and Gary both expressed their interest in Crazy Love and had made special visits to the event. But what about Scarlett? In response to the relentless questioning, Scarlett explained, "Renly and I are friends. He... extended a helping hand to me before, and since then, we've stayed friends." The press went wild.

This sparked a debate: Jennifer or Scarlett?

Before the premiere of Crazy Love, the media had already been fueling speculation about Renly's relationship with Jennifer, often referring to them as the "golden couple" of their generation. The two were close in age and had risen to fame around the same time. Before the Oscars, there was even talk of the two attending the event together, though Renly ended up absent. Now, with Crazy Love set to be released, the press couldn't resist speculating about the romantic link between Renly and Jennifer—ignoring the fact that the film's actual lead actress was Felicity.

Gossip was swirling, but it didn't need any help to spread. It was already alive and thriving.

Then, when Renly and Jennifer stepped onto the red carpet, reporters couldn't wait to ask them about their rumored relationship. Both responded with humor. Jennifer laughed, saying, "Renly warned me that this question would definitely come up. I heard you also reported on the scandal between Renly and Ryan Gosling last year?" She added with a grin, "So, are you asking me to take Ryan's place now?" Her response, full of wit, quickly defused the rumor.

Renly, for his part, was more serious, though still playful. "Jennifer and I aren't even friends," he said, his tone blunt. But beneath the words, there was an underlying sense of teasing and banter, keeping the reporters guessing. Their relationship, it seemed, was certainly more than just professional, but how much more? That remained a mystery.

As for Scarlett, the reporters weren't ready to let go. Renly gave them a cryptic answer, raising a single eyebrow. "I should check with my agent first before I tell you anything," he teased, leaving the question unanswered. Was this an admission or a denial? The ambiguity left everyone in suspense, fueling even more speculation.

At that moment, the crowd erupted into an overwhelming roar. The energy was palpable, and it was clear that Renly's fanbase had surpassed even the level of enthusiasm generated by George Clooney. The cries of "Young Master" echoed through the air, deep and affectionate, creating a moment that surprised even Renly himself.

The Toronto Film Festival officially declared, "Renly, who started in Toronto, now has a second home outside London," acknowledging his incredible rise. Buried Alive, Renly's debut film, premiered in Toronto and launched his international career. Local media and audiences embraced Renly as "the actor who made it big from here," a distinction that few others, including George and Brad, could claim.

This special relationship between Renly and the festival only heightened expectations for Crazy Love. The buzz surrounding the film, bolstered by its success at Sundance, was reaching a fever pitch.

But high expectations are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they create a fierce standard—being merely good isn't enough. The film had to be extraordinary. On the other hand, if it met those heightened expectations, the praise would be amplified tenfold.

Such is the price of fame: standing in the spotlight, basking in admiration, but also bearing the weight of scrutiny. But Crazy Love delivered. It not only lived up to the hype but exceeded it, continuing the media frenzy sparked at Sundance.

After the premiere in Toronto, Crazy Love received an avalanche of accolades.

Roger Ebert, who had missed Sundance, was quick to catch the film at Toronto. He awarded the film an impressive 88 points and gave it a four-star recommendation, calling it a "masterpiece not to be missed."

In his review, Roger stated, "Renly Hall has once again proven himself to be the most powerful and promising performer of Generation Y." His choice of the word "performer" was intentional, elevating Renly's craft to a level that even Natalie Portman hadn't attained. Roger's respect for Renly was evident in every word.

"Hall's performance is delicate, yet powerful, with a restrained intensity that brings a quiet, fragile beauty to Crazy Love. Unlike his raw, intense portrayal in Buried Alive, Hall's performance in this film is inward, subtle, and moving. It's a quiet force, one that lingers long after the scene ends."

Roger highlighted one particular scene between Renly and Lawrence, where Renly's character moves in with another woman after breaking up with his girlfriend. There were no lines, no heavy-handed explanations; the entire story was told through Renly's performance. The quiet heartbreak and emotional weight of the moment were profound, solidifying Renly's place as one of the brightest stars of his generation.

The glowing reviews didn't stop there. Fourteen different media outlets rated Crazy Love positively, an astounding result considering that some outlets had been critical during its Sundance debut. This perfect score at Toronto left everyone in awe.

Renly Hall had, once again, created a craze.