Chapter 82: Grandiose Discussion

In the end, no one cooked; it was left to a professional French cuisine chef team to handle.

Moreover, since it was named a banquet, the attendees could certainly not be limited to just Henry, Tony, and Lady He Ben.

There was also a couple from the financial circle's big shots: Alex Hart, the CEO of Mastercard, and his wife.

Perhaps because there was an outsider like Henry present, Alex, this big shot of the financial circle, did not aggressively dominate the banquet's topics. Instead, he dutifully fulfilled the role of an audience member, giving just the right reactions.

Tony Stark, who always loved being the center of attention, was thoroughly defeated by Henry this time. Because Henry could recite Lady He Ben's films like counting his own treasures, even citing positive film reviews from that time.

Even Henry himself could analyze the strengths and weaknesses of these films to some degree.

If someone unfamiliar with films heard this, they would surely be completely confused.

But who was Lady He Ben? She was not someone who acted in films and then stopped watching them.

Coming from the theater, as one of the few actresses in the Golden Age willing to study acting rather than relying entirely on natural performance, Lady He Ben could understand the words Henry was saying.

This undoubtedly gave this fading superstar a feeling of meeting a kindred spirit. Lady He Ben sighed: "So you say you are my fan, and not just another Lady He Ben's fan; it seems you are not speaking falsely."

"Lady..." Henry was about to speak but was interrupted.

"Call me Catherine," the superstar said with a kind smile.

"Alright, Catherine. I would not lie to such a talented and beautiful lady. If I were just speaking casually or lying, you should be able to easily tell, right?"

Unable to hold back, Tony Stark finally muttered under his breath: "Sycophant."

Everyone heard it, but no one took it seriously. Everyone just smiled and continued chatting, clearly all people quite familiar with Tony Stark's personality.

Lady He Ben even said: "In that case, Henry, let me test you."

"Please go ahead."

"Recent critics keep criticizing that I came out to make films after turning forty. The result is relying only on nostalgia to maintain half-dead box office numbers. What do you think of this?"

"Treat these people's words as nonsense, Catherine. There are many reasons for poor box office, but I believe the responsibility of Hollywood film companies is greater."

"Oh, that's fresh. I finally heard an answer other than criticizing the audience for not having enough level."

Henry sharply commented: "Because the types and age ranges of women in Hollywood films are quite narrow. Either youthful and pretty girls, or seductive mature beauties, or else mean old women.

"Where do women only have these few types? But film companies use box office as an excuse to let only these types appear on the big screen. Not by words, but by direct action.

"Then they forcibly require actresses to play such roles, regardless of whether their conditions are suitable. When it fails, or is not ideal, they shift the blame onto the actors.

"This is certainly not your fault. In the film industry, actors are just one link. Even if you contributed the beauty of your youth and the most exquisite acting, you could still be filmed by the camera into a pile of shit.

"Or else the director, editor, or producer can easily ruin a film. But has any of them admitted their own fault? No, the actor is the best scapegoat.

"If there could be a suitable script, a capable director, a producer not overly confident to the point of superstition, and just one more actor like you, another classic film could be contributed.

"Anyway, a film's success is a success where every aspect is done perfectly. By the same logic, failure also has factors in every aspect. In my opinion, the actor is precisely the link that should least be held responsible.

"Because actors need to go through casting to get on screen, then under the director's guidance, display their acting before the camera lens. If an actor really performs poorly, shouldn't the error lie with the team that chose this actor to play the role?

"There are so many Hollywood actors; is there only this kind of person to choose from? If an actor performs well but the film fails, then where is the problem? Does it need to be pointed out? Anyway, it won't be on the actor.

"Besides, what's wrong with selling nostalgia? Would audiences prefer watching a newcomer actor who is suitable for the role in age and appearance but whose actual acting is awkward? Rather than choosing a mature actor with passable acting and rich experience?"

It sounded like quite a positive evaluation, but Lady He Ben did not think so. Instead, she said: "Although I agree with most of what you say, there is always a tone in your words that I am an old woman and should only play old woman roles. This makes people even angrier."

Now it was Henry's turn to say awkwardly: "Actually... this is not the point I wanted to emphasize."

Tony laughed loudly beside him and said: "Right, Catherine, no need to be polite. This kid just relies on having a little cleverness and likes to speak to others from a high-and-mighty attitude. He deserves a little lesson."

At this moment, the whole group looked at Tony Stark with an inexplicable expression. Lady He Ben even said: "Little Tony, do you want to listen to what you just said? Why do you think this flaw exists only in others?"

Lady He Ben's heart-stabbing blow; Tony wanted to vehemently refute. But looking at this old auntie's expression, he gave up.

This person could always accurately find the position of the stabbing knife in others' words. No matter how genius the brain, one cannot guarantee speaking without a single flaw; this has been certified by two generations of the Stark father and son.

So Tony looked at the big shot beside him who had said little and seemed somewhat bored and said: "Alex, let's go to the study to chat. There is my father's treasured whiskey there."

"Howard's treasured stash, I must taste this. Relying on him to bring it out himself, I don't know how long I would have to wait."

This big shot of the financial circle followed Tony away. Leaving his wife to chat about film matters with Henry and Lady He Ben.

Henry was deliberately kept by the two women with the topic of films; he then understood what this meant. Those two were looking for a chance to talk privately; he should not be ungrateful and insist on drinking that sip of whiskey.

In fact, the attendance of Alex Hart and his wife was invited by Tony through Lady He Ben.

This big shot who usually operates in New York rarely came to California for vacation, which gave Tony an opportunity.

His agreement to attend the banquet was certainly not because the two had very deep personal friendship. If we really talk about friendship, perhaps if Howard came out personally, the two could still build some connection.

Tony Stark, a proper nephew generation, asking him to eat must have some purpose. Alex Hart was just curious what this purpose actually was, which is why he attended this private banquet.

(End of this chapter)