Chapter 273: The Oscar-Worthy Actor

[Chapter 273: The Oscar-Worthy Actor]

After seeing Sophie off, Link continued filming.

Since Philadelphia was less than 150 kilometers from New York City, during the shoot, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox often came over to join him. Sometimes it was just Jennifer, other times all three would sneak away together. They did this quietly because, after Friends aired, the trio rose to fame and became household names.

Jennifer, in particular, caught a lot of attention. With her sweet looks, attractive figure, and bubbly personality, her portrayal of 'Rachel Green' made her a major star, rivaling A-list actors. If paparazzi captured the three of them visiting Link for some private time, it would surely create a national scandal.

Besides them, Monica, Jennifer Connelly, and Lily also took turns visiting him, ensuring he had some emotional support while filming. With their attention, Link could focus better on his work.

...

"Cut!"

After finishing a scene, Link called a pause and stared intently at the monitor, replaying the footage. This was Tom Hanks' first scene on set. He portrayed Dr. Malcolm Crowe, who, after a year of mourning the suicide of a young patient he failed to save, sat on a bench waiting for a little boy named Cole to appear.

Link watched the footage multiple times, feeling that there was a hint of Forrest Gump in Dr. Malcolm's character. Seeing Tom Hanks on that bench, audiences would easily recall him holding a box of chocolates and saying, "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." If Link couldn't shake that association, then Hanks' portrayal wouldn't be deemed successful, and it could throw off the entire movie.

"Link, is something wrong? Feel free to speak up. I've heard you're great at coaching actors. Those who've worked with you really improved, and I'm eager for your guidance," Tom Hanks said with a smile.

Link thought for a moment and replied, "Tom, Dr. Malcolm Crowe was once an outstanding psychologist with a strong sense of duty. After that tragic night when a young patient he treated took his own life, he was left with a burden of guilt. Motivated by that guilt, he sought out Cole, a boy facing similar psychological issues, hoping to alleviate his own regret. At this point, his expression should be gentle, filled with kindness, patience, and compassion -- like a father or a guardian angel. How you interpret that will depend on your perspective."

Tom nodded, stating he would need half an hour to prepare. Link wasn't in a rush; he encouraged Tom to get ready while they continued filming Cole's scenes.

...

Cole finally stepped outside, tiptoeing to close the door before glancing across the street and hurrying forward. They shot this scene several times, mainly because Cole's performance didn't quite hit the mark. In this part, after leaving his home, Cole should keep his head down and move quickly, embodying an introverted, shy child.

As viewers watched this scene, they would assume the child was shy and reserved. When audiences learned at the end that Dr. Malcolm Crowe was a ghost, they'd be astonished to see a ghost sitting on a bench outside a home, and they'd be even more alarmed to discover it was following Cole. Anyone in that situation would likely bolt in fear.

For the performance, Cole needed to balance confusion; he had to be both anxious and fearful at the same time, blurring the lines between the two. If he exaggerated his reactions too much, it might lead the audience to wonder, would a shy child really react so dramatically to a stranger?

This was a tough role, and young actor Haley, being just seven years old, couldn't grasp overly complex emotions. During the shooting, Link had to take it slow, chatting with him on set while gradually clarifying the nuances he needed to portray.

...

Once they wrapped up that scene, Tom Hanks returned for his performance. When he sat on the bench, there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor, but he still hadn't fully captured what Link wanted. Link was patient, focusing the camera on Hanks and slowly correcting his approach, much like sculpting a piece of art.

Despite being an Oscar-winning actor with immense fame, Tom was very easygoing and cooperative. They filmed this scene for five days. Occasionally, there were moments when Tom seemed to embody Dr. Malcolm Crowe completely, becoming so fluid in his performance that it appeared totally natural, showing no signs of being in character.

Link was surprised and delighted to witness that transformation on camera. It felt as if the actor experienced a moment of epiphany, as if he had been foggy before but suddenly became entirely clear on his character's essence. This clarity represented the character's growth and evolution, akin to a naive child maturing into adulthood.

Link quickly got the crew moving, eager to seize the moment to reinforce Dr. Malcolm's scenes, helping Tom delve deeper into the character. That day, they shot ten scenes, working from midday until midnight, equivalent to filming three days' worth of material.

...

Afterward, Link asked Tom how he managed such a significant transformation. Just a few days prior, he had been portraying a rather one-dimensional Malcolm Crowe. Suddenly, he became a rich and layered character, no longer just a role on paper but a fully realized person.

Tom Hanks chuckled and explained that since he began in the '80s, he had played over thirty roles. Thanks to his innate talent, he often found it easy to embody characters after just reading their scripts. None had ever been as challenging as Malcolm Crowe; despite his careful preparation for over a month, he had struggled to nail it in front of the crew for five consecutive days -- a rarity for him.

This pressure weighed heavily on him. All he could do was keep practicing, delving deeper into what made the character tick. Then, while performing that day, it finally clicked; he felt like he was Dr. Malcolm Crowe. Once he knew that, he could perform keeping in line with the character seamlessly.

Link internally applauded Tom's immense talent and capability. It was remarkable -- something many actors could only dream of understanding or touching. If he shared this experience with others, they would likely scoff, deeming it superstition.

...

Once Tom found that rhythm, the filming pace picked up as well. With Dr. Malcolm Crowe's help, Cole gradually confronted and overcame his inner fears, learning to accept his unique traits while helping wandering spirits, which in turn allowed him to become more open. In the end, he shared his feelings with his mother, culminating in a heartfelt reconnection.

As for Dr. Malcolm Crowe, he returned home and, upon noticing a ring that had fallen to the ground, finally realized he was dead. With a heavy heart, he bid farewell to his wife.

...

By early December, after more than two months of intense filming, The Sixth Sense, successfully wrapped in Philadelphia. Link and the crew returned to Los Angeles to start editing.

*****

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