The Greatest Showman #1030 – Romantic Movie

"Isn't this the most romantic, grand, majestic, and beautiful love story since Titanic?"

"Oh my God, Renly Hall is absolutely the most charming on-screen lover since Leonardo DiCaprio! Unbelievable, I'm screaming for a 22-year-old."

"Countless reincarnations, countless moments of looking back, all the battles, all the deaths and rebirths, just to come to your side, waiting for the moment our eyes meet. This isn't just the most touching confession I've ever heard, it's the most beautiful love story I've ever seen. No words, just a look, and the world feels like it's gone through ages. Jesus Christ, I really love this…"

Three tweets, each a passionate reflection of the viewer's emotions, were posted one after the other. The third tweet, unfinished due to Twitter's 140-character limit, captured the overwhelming excitement of the poster. You could almost imagine their hands trembling as they typed, so filled with emotion that they couldn't wait to share their feelings with everyone.

The same sentiment echoed through the reactions.

After the premiere of Edge of Tomorrow, Daisy Lucas, a reporter for Vanity Fair, had no time to leave the Chinese Theater. Standing in the cool evening breeze, she immediately typed the words above, eager to share her joy with the world. Every word was a direct reflection of her excitement.

Since covering Pacific War, Daisy had been fascinated by Renly Hall, and while her writing had been insightful, it had never truly reflected any deep personal connection. Until today.

As a reporter, Daisy knew better than anyone that Edge of Tomorrow was a commercial film, in every sense of the word. And while love wasn't its central theme—far from it, in fact—Daisy couldn't help but be swept away.

Writing a review is typically the job of professional critics, but Daisy went ahead and wrote an emotional reflection on her personal Facebook overnight, something more introspective than an objective review.

"This isn't a love movie, but it has become a classic because of two exceptional actors." Daisy began her reflection. She then analyzed the entire movie, specifically the connection between Cage and the concept of reincarnation.

Daisy emphasized that Edge of Tomorrow was far more than a monster-upgrade movie or a typical "save the world" routine. The real focus, she argued, was reincarnation. In the repeated deaths and partings, just like in the classic Groundhog Day, the film settles on Cage's body, portraying a painful yet transformative journey.

"Watching the death of his comrades, enduring countless losses, Cage undergoes profound growth—from confronting war to embracing responsibility and suffering. He endures countless deaths, helplessly watching his companions sacrifice themselves. It's torturous, like purgatory."

Daisy wrote, "The separation between life and death is one of the hardest existential questions. War itself is a vicious cycle, one where humanity keeps strangling itself. Trapped in reincarnation, Cage is physically and mentally drained. His body is bruised, his soul shackled, and his steps become heavier."

"Cage is like a wandering soul lost in the cycle of reincarnation—lonely, helpless, confused, tortured. Rita is the only one who truly understands him. Together, they are two wounded souls, the only support they have in a world filled with endless despair."

Daisy described how the film's final scene, where Cage and Rita meet again with just a look, perfectly encapsulated the movie's essence. "This is fate, reincarnation, a meeting of souls. It's poetic, it's beautiful, it's grand."

She continued, "The movie may not be a traditional love story, but under the power of its actors, it transcends the usual commercial fare. Especially Renly Hall, who brings a delicacy and depth to his performance, layered and intricate, completely immersing himself in the story. With just a single look in the final scene, he elevates the film. I think this film deserves a Golden Globe nomination."

Daisy also highlighted a pivotal moment when Rita reveals her middle name before parting ways with Cage. That moment, she noted, reminded her of a similar classic scene from Pacific War.

Her review, though filled with spoilers, rapidly went viral on the internet, sparking even more conversation.

After the premiere, the social media frenzy exploded—tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram stories, and more filled the internet. On Twitter alone, there were over 1,300 tweets about Edge of Tomorrow every minute, breaking the platform's records. This didn't even count other social media platforms. It was a massive wave of attention.

But amidst all this buzz, Daisy's tweets started to stand out, spreading like wildfire.

"Wait... is this a love movie? Are you serious?"

"Did you go to the wrong premiere? Wasn't this supposed to be Edge of Tomorrow? But it doesn't feel like that at all."

Some were confused by the sudden redefinition of the movie's theme. Initially marketed as a sci-fi action movie, it was now being described as a love story by a Vanity Fair senior reporter. This piqued everyone's curiosity.

Daisy's article on Facebook quickly went viral, further fueling the conversation. Though her perspective was unique, her interpretation of the theme of reincarnation added a new layer to the film, which many found refreshing.

In subsequent interviews, director Paul Greengrass and Renly Hall confirmed that the connection between Cage and Rita was indeed special. Renly even went so far as to say, "Every character in the movie has meaning, and their relationships are significant. The original novel tells a sad, profound story about reincarnation from an Eastern cultural perspective. In the adaptation, we simplified it, but the connection between Cage and Rita is still very much a part of that theme. It's fascinating to approach the story from different angles."

Renly's comments sparked more discussions online, leading to a wave of second and third viewings, as audiences tried to process the deeper meanings.

After the premiere, Daisy's personal reflection took center stage, representing the excitement of the night.

For male viewers, Edge of Tomorrow was an adrenaline-pumping sci-fi film with breathtaking battles, fast pacing, and charismatic characters. But the emotional impact of the reincarnation plot, especially the final eye contact between Cage and Rita, left viewers mesmerized, unable to pull themselves away.

On social media, the buzz was electric. Before official critics had even released their reviews, Edge of Tomorrow was already being praised by fans, many of whom were surprised by the emotional depth of the film.

Warner Bros. hadn't anticipated this. They had marketed the film as a typical action-packed blockbuster. Had they known about the romantic subplot, they might have hyped Renly's and Jennifer's on-screen chemistry more, which could've boosted the box office even further. But now, it was too late.

Nonetheless, Edge of Tomorrow's popularity continued to soar. In just a few hours, the movie was dominating conversations on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more. Its meteoric rise in discussion made it clear: the movie was about to explode.

But with such high expectations came a lingering question: would the film's critical reception live up to the hype? The pressure was mounting.