#752 Seven Hundred and Twenty Hot Discussion Torrent

The first round of screening had just ended, and over a thousand audience members left the theater in an orderly fashion, as if sardines exiting through a gate. The expressions on their faces varied, yet the traces of tears and the look of excitement were universally shared.

What stood out even more was how everyone was eager to discuss and couldn't wait to share their opinions. This film was more than just a comedy or a deep work of art; it was a clever portrayal of life's philosophies, humorously conveyed, with lingering emotions after the credits rolled.

"...The moment that really stuck with me was when Adam hugged his mother before the final operation. It was the one and only time Adam cried, and I couldn't help but tear up too," Hope said, her eyes widening with emotion. The corner of her mouth curled into a smile, and she couldn't help but start dancing as her steps turned into a rhythmic bounce.

"In the second half of the movie, I couldn't stop crying," Tessa chimed in, nodding. "To be honest, I was laughing and crying at the same time, as if I had lost my mind! I must say, the young master's performance was outstanding, absolutely fantastic! Some of those moments surpassed 'Love Crazy,' and I'm still wondering if I'm just crazy myself!"

"Yes! I feel the same way!" Hope agreed, intertwining her fingers with Tessa's as they jumped up and down together, sharing the excitement. Their movements went unnoticed in the crowd, as groups of people gathered together in pairs or small clusters, passionately discussing their thoughts, making the two of them appear as just a small wave in an ocean of opinions.

"Didn't anyone else cry when Kyle and Adam joked and complained in the car during the final scene?" Graham, rubbing his eyes, eagerly joined the conversation. "Jesus Christ, I used to think Kyle was a bad friend, taking advantage of Adam. But in the end, it was clear—the real emotion between these two friends was in full force, and that hit me hard."

Graham glanced at William, hoping for agreement, but William avoided his gaze in embarrassment—he had been crying for almost a third of the film, and his eyes were still red. Eventually, the floodgates had opened.

A brief silence fell over them, leaving Graham puzzled. He was about to ask William what was going on, but before he could, a voice from the side cut in, "Doesn't anyone else think this movie is just hilarious? I couldn't stop laughing!"

Turning his head, Graham noticed an unfamiliar face, likely a college student, who spoke with no hesitation. "I thought Seth would be the comedic focal point, but in reality, the whole movie was centered on the young master. From laughter to tears, his performance was incredible. Have you guys noticed? He has so many small expressions—oh my god, I was dying laughing!"

"Yes!" Tessa immediately agreed, her eyes lighting up. "I didn't even catch all of them, but the way he raised his eyebrows, stuck out his tongue, pursed his lips... it was hilarious."

"Exactly! Did you catch the way he snickered? Every time his mouth lifted, then quickly snapped back into a straight line—it's so subtle, but so perfect for comedy!" Tessa and the others couldn't help but gush over the young master's skills.

Hope and Graham exchanged helpless glances, their amusement evident in their quiet smile.

"Did no one mention the young master's bald head?" Another voice suddenly broke through the chatter, coming from a shy-looking girl who seemed to be around the same age as the others. Hope and Graham turned to look at her. "Sorry, I overheard your conversation," she began, hesitating before she added, "What stood out to me most was when the young master shaved his head. It was just... wow. I mean, wow!"

The mere utterance of "wow" seemed to express all the shock and admiration she felt.

"I know!" Hope nodded, her excitement matching the girl's. "And the young master looked so attractive even with a bald head!" The two girls couldn't help but giggle.

Graham looked at William with a smirk and nudged him with his elbow. "Aren't you going to join in?" William, who had been strangely quiet in the midst of the excitement, was still visibly indifferent. With a deep sigh, Graham jumped in, starting to jump and scream alongside Hope. "Wow!" he yelled.

William snorted, unable to suppress his laughter at Graham's antics, and pushed him away with a disgusted expression, which only made Graham laugh harder.

It was almost unbelievable that a comedy film had sparked such a heated discussion. It brought to mind the "Hangover" of the previous year, but this time the enthusiasm wasn't driven by a loud, outrageous humor. Instead, it was a blend of clever wit, deep reflection, and nuanced performances, which invited a more thoughtful enjoyment.

The sea of more than a thousand spectators, buzzing with chatter, laughter, and excitement, slowly began to clear the theater, leaving behind the excitement and warmth of a premiere.

As the crowd spilled out into the outdoor plaza, Hope bumped into Tessa's back and noticed that Tessa had stopped in her tracks. "What's going on, Tessa?"

Tessa remained silent, pointing forward with her chin. Hope followed her gaze, only to find herself equally stunned. Even William, Graham, and the others behind her halted in surprise.

At that moment, the square was still packed with people—at least 1,500, maybe more. The crowd was orderly and lively, standing in groups, holding beers, chatting, and enjoying the winter evening as if it were a warm summer night. Despite the cold December air, the energy was electric, as if it was a Friday night spent enjoying good company in the city streets.

The square had remained unchanged before and after the screening, and it seemed the excitement had only grown. The earlier disruption on the red carpet hadn't dampened anyone's spirits.

Not only were the people who had just watched the film impressed, but even those waiting for the second screening were captivated by the palpable excitement in the air. The buzz of conversation filled the air, even without direct exchanges. The collective enthusiasm was undeniable.

In an instant, two waves of people merged into one.

"Hey, what's the movie like?" a stranger asked Tessa from the front. "Is this really a comedy?"

Tessa looked over at her friends, then smiled widely. "Trust me, it's a movie you don't want to miss. I won't spoil the surprise for you, though!" She winked and turned back to the group.

"Like I said, I won't be disappointed!"

"Renly guarantees a great film!"

"But I'm not into Renly, I love Seth Logan!"

Hope, peeking over, added, "Then you'll love Seth and Renly together!" She patted Tessa's shoulder and continued, "Ah, I'd love to watch it again. If I didn't know they hadn't seen it yet, I'd probably turn right around and line up for the next showing."

"It's alright. The premiere is tomorrow. We'll watch it again," Tessa replied, enthusiasm still in her voice. "I can't wait to see more of those little expressions from the young master. I swear, he's a natural comedian."

The buzz carried on as the night progressed, with excited chatter filling the air, echoing from the departing audience and those entering the cinema. The premiere night, despite the earlier chaos, had just kicked into high gear.

By the time the second screening ended and the clock struck 12:30 AM, the theater was still alive with conversation, as if the evening had only just begun.

Yes, it was already past midnight, and "Me Against Cancer" had officially entered its first day of release. With no prior reviews or Rotten Tomatoes scores, it had made its quiet midnight debut. Despite the cold, long winter night, nothing could stop the enthusiasm of these devoted fans.

This premiere, though disrupted, had taken on a new significance. As Renly said, "The Cancer-fighting Me" had unintentionally become an accidental masterpiece. Every person who had experienced the chaos of the red carpet would carry with them a unique experience—one where their fears, anxieties, and regrets were gradually healed through the film's message.

And so, despite the four-hour delay, the midnight screening was a celebration that had finally arrived.

None of this, however, concerned Renly. After leaving Alice-Tully Hall, he had made his way to the hospital where Lauren Messler was recuperating, the same place where a few of the injured from the red carpet incident had been taken.

By midnight, the hospital had quieted down—an encouraging sign, as it meant no further accidents had occurred. The absence of reporters meant that the injured could rest in peace.