Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 36: Link's Charm]

After the overseas box office figures for Buried were released, many American media outlets eagerly reported on the news.

The Los Angeles Times stated that the film's reputation was on the rise. "In recent times, there has been a lot of negative press about Buried," it noted. This included stories about Link stealing red carpet events, his lack of education, claims that Buried thrived on hype, and allegations of possible box office manipulation.

In the film critique world, debates emerged over whether Buried was a good or bad movie. Some critics argued that it was a good film due to its fresh, daring subject matter and profound themes. However, more reviewers believed Buried to be poorly made, with flaws in its plot design, a one-dimensional storyline, and Link's performance feeling rather forced.

As Buried's release expanded, its box office numbers increased, leading the negative comments to gradually gain prominence. Yet, with the overseas box office results, many negative critiques of Buried began to falter. For instance, against the articles questioning the film's quality, "If it's so bad, why is it doing so well overseas? Are international audiences as bad as those in North America?"

If a poor film is embraced by fans worldwide, can it still be deemed bad? That raised some interesting points. For example, some news outlets claimed that Buried's success was solely due to marketing.

During Buried's release, many media outlets consistently compared it to the popular Chaplin, bringing considerable attention to Buried. The film's low production cost accompanied by high box office returns was frequently spotlighted by the media.

There were indeed hints of marketing manipulation surrounding Buried's release. But could a film achieve such commercial success purely on hype? The answer was clearly no. When Buried debuted overseas, the distributors engaged in standard promotional efforts without stirring up controversy.

Even under those circumstances, Buried still thrived, demonstrating merit and support from the viewing public. Critics who deemed the film unworthy might simply have struggled to appreciate such an avant-garde piece, and their critiques could remain their own.

...

This was the commentary from the Los Angeles Times. In addition, major outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Denver Post reported on Buried's performance and box office data while providing their insights on the film and its director-star.

Although some media outlets continued to argue that Buried had certain flaws, the film's potential to gross tens of millions of dollars could not be ignored. It was accepted that Buried had won over both audiences and the market, making it a film worth watching.

Adding to this, Hollywood stars such as Bruce Willis, Jim Carrey, and Jennifer Connelly publicly expressed their fondness for Buried. This influence from the media and celebrities prompted would-be viewers who were hesitant about watching Buried to flock to theaters.

...

This wave of interest even led to the rare phenomenon of Buried's North American box office achieving a remarkable increase that week. By Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday alone, it had surpassed $1 million, with media predicting that Buried's sixth-week numbers could possibly return to the $3 million mark.

If that prediction held, Buried's North American intake would reach $20 million, boasting an astonishing 1,000 times return on investment -- an unprecedented figure.

...

"That's just ridiculous! Buried's North American box office return is 1,000 times; its global figure is three to four thousand times! If this trend continues, do you think we can catch up to Link in three to five years?" At the poolside, Matt Damon pointed to the newspaper statistics, his expression a mix of astonishment, admiration, and envy.

"What do you mean three to four thousand times? Don't mistake Buried for something so extraordinary. They claim it only cost $20,000 to make, but do you really think that's accurate? Link, as both director and star, not to mention the voice actors and crew members, their salaries contribute significantly to the production cost. Furthermore, after the film's release, the distributors invested millions in promotion. So, the return on Buried's box office will likely hover around dozens of times, nothing too impressive. As long as I'm determined, I can catch up."

Ben Affleck stood on the pool's diving board, did a few chest stretches, then dove into the water with a big splash.

Matt Damon shook his head and continued reading about Buried in the newspaper. After returning to Los Angeles, he had hoped to chat with Link about the film. However, the people at the burger joint told him that Link had made it big, moving to Beverly Hills, making it difficult to see him now.

Matt felt disappointed that back when Link wasn't so successful, they could casually meet on the street, and if he didn't engage in conversation, Link would always be the one to initiate it. But now, seeking out Link was a challenge.

"Ben, I'm thinking about checking out the actors' guild. If I'm lucky, I might run into a couple of suitable roles. You want to come?"

"Matt, are you serious? It's the weekend -- the one time a week we get to enjoy some downtime! Shouldn't we be spending this time relaxing at home?"

"The guys at the burger place said that for the past six months, Link has been working nonstop, even taking on side jobs in film to make ends meet. Rain or shine, he didn't take weekends off. With how talented and hardworking Link is, if we don't step up, in two years, we won't even be able to see the back of his head."

"Geez! That sounds harsh."

Ben Affleck splashed the water in frustration, watching as Matt Damon got dressed, muttering as they both made their way back to shore.

...

As the media reported on the latest box office figures for Buried, they also included the details of Link's profit-sharing agreements with the major cinema chains and 20th Century Fox.

According to current numbers, Buried's overseas box office would hit $40 million, meaning Link had the opportunity to earn over $4 million from the shares. With the North American box office surpassing $20 million, Link could potentially claim between $6 and $7 million from the ticket sales.

Meaning, Link was projected to pocket over $10 million from a $20,000 investment, making him a millionaire at just 20 years old. The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that while Link was not the first up-and-coming actor to earn a million from box office receipts, he was, arguably, the closest and most relatable success story for struggling filmmakers in Hollywood to emulate.

...

"Idol?"

In her apartment, Monica Bellucci gazed at Link's picture in a magazine, her long eyelashes fluttered. She remembered the first time meeting Link when he had clumsily bumped into her, thinking he was being brazen. Even if it wasn't intentional, it felt rude.

When he apologized, he stated her name, clearly having done his homework. He rushed off after warning her that the surroundings weren't safe at night, which seemed courteous but also a little over the top.

Recalling their first meeting left a bad impression of Link. The second time they crossed paths, he hung by the office window, pleading with the manager to let him in, promising that even if he borrowed money, he'd pay the rent the next day. He appeared down on his luck.

Later, Link introduced himself as a director preparing to shoot a film, even offering her a role, which felt more like a facade just to impress a pretty face. In retrospect, she thought he seemed immature and ridiculous.

After that meeting, her impression of Link further dwindled to a negative twenty, seeing him as a stranger to be guarded against. Yet looking back, perhaps it hadn't been entirely fair.

Link rushing upstairs could've been his way of dealing with the film's release, immersed in the chaos of working late and early. His cautioning her about going out at night was genuinely rooted in concern.

The day he had asked Lucy to let him in happened the day before Buried's premiere; he had likely been swamped with preparations and forgot to pay his rent -- not intentionally slacking off.

When Link discussed the new movie role with her, it did seem like a sincere invitation, rather than a hastily invented excuse to win her over. After several encounters with Link, she began to see him in a new light -- a genuine man, graceful, humorous, and patient.

Even in his struggles, he radiated positivity, optimism, and kindness, fueled by ambition and a strong, courageous heart. His professional demeanor and serious work ethic radiated a charm that felt distinctly mature.

Monica felt an inner shame for misunderstanding him in the past but was thrilled to know him and gain his acknowledgment. There were many talented and wealthy men in the world, but young, handsome, and of good character ones were scarce, and Link stood out as that sole figure in her life.

Link was not just a man; he represented an opportunity. Staring out at the vibrant skyline of Los Angeles, Monica picked up the phone in her apartment and called Link to congratulate him on the film's success.

*****

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