"This Brad Pitt is taller than Eric, and he also feels somewhat… old ?" Brad Pitt went out of the door and as they temporarily put on hold the auditions, James Brooks started to discuss with the other judges.
Penny Marshall said: "Yeah. I think number seven, Blake Quinn, was quite good."
Several other judges also expressed their opinions.
Eric looked up number seven's information; a 17-year-old thin white youth with blond hair and a height of 1m70. His appearance was truly consistent with Alex's past image, but this was not what Eric wanted.
He couldn't bear staying silent anymore and blurted out: "Penny, I think Blake Quinn appears to be too weak, although he fits very well the image of a bullied high-school student, in the second part of the movie, when Alex starts dominating the basketball court, his appearance will be a problem as the audience will find it laughable. I just graduated from high-school and I can tell you, there's no way someone with a stature like Blake Quinn would ever make it on the team."
James Brooks thought it made sense, he nodded: "You're right, so Eric, who would you consider ?"
"How about Brad Pitt ?"
Penny Marshall said: "But Brad Pitt is a little taller than you."
Eric shrugged and replied: "Height is not an issue, some children are taller than their parents, it's nothing out of the ordinary, and his build will make Alex's changes more believable."
James asked: "How so ?"
"Brad Pitt's performing skills are up to par, and although he has never played as a lead, he has done many soap operas, and after what he showed in the audition, I believe he will definitely be able to portray the weak and dispirited boy of the movie's first part. Later on, after receiving Mike's encouragements and training, he would gain the courage to stand up for himself and pursue the girl he likes. Giving his build, the audience wouldn't find it weird, they'd instead think along the lines of: There you go, Alex !"
The several surrounding people nodded in assent, Eric could feel that James Brooks was also somewhat moved, but he didn't make an immediate decision and said: "Okay, we will discuss this issue again later. Let's start the actresses' auditions."
The first one to come in was naturally Angelina Jolie. Her performance was okay but it was not outstanding. Her style was way too dramatic and it caused Eric a headache. If he had been in charge of the casting, then perhaps he would've given her one of the other small roles as that would've been interesting, but unfortunately, he didn't have that power.
Several other girls followed, and then it was Drew Barrymore's turn.
She had a childish face, she donned a knee-length white pleated skirt and small black leather boots, as well as a white vest which contrasted with the black straps of her bra that would show from time to time when she walked. Just looking at her appearance, you wouldn't be able to link that precocious teenager to a drug addict.
As she sat on the opposing chair and stroked her hair, Drew Barrymore quickly discovered Eric sitting in the middle of the 40-50 year-old middle-aged men and women. The distinct edges of his face and the sharpness of his eyes made him appear exceptionally handsome. Drew's lips curved into a mischievous smile, which startled Eric.
James and others, as if by prior agreement, all turned to look at Eric strangely. Eric looked back at them innocently: Yes, hello ? Why are you staring at me, I'm innocent you know ? I'm the victim here, okay ?
James was the first to break the silence: "Alright Drew, let's do this seriously."
"No problem, Mr. Brooks." Drew sweetly smiled as she instantly turned into a well-behaved girl next door.
Eric wanted to shout: You damn female fox !
...
"Maggie, stop, I am not the one for you." The scene takes place in one of Ned's villa bedrooms. Mike keeps avoiding his daughter's pursuit.
"Yes, you are."
"No I'm not, Maggie. I'm not the person that you think I am."
"You're right. You're not. You're good. You're not like the others."
"Not like the others. I'm very, very different. So different in fact that you and I could never, ever, ever, ever be together. Stop, Maggie." Mike helplessly says.
As if suddenly understanding something, the lioness in heat sits on the bed disappointedly, looking distressed she says: "Oh my god. What are you saying? Are you confused ?"
"I'm very confused. Yes, I'm extremely confused."
"Oh my god, I… I… I get it now. Your hair is always perfectly coiffed and you have highlights."
"What are you talking about ?" Mike is puzzled.
"I mean… dude your jeans are really tight."
Mike looks at the lower part of his body before helplessly saying: "I'm not gay. I'm in love, Maggie. I'm in love. I've been in love with the same girl since I was 17, Maggie."
Feeling relieved Maggie stands up, and quickly asks: "Does she go to our school, do I know her, tell me her name, I just want to know her name ?"
"No, Maggie, no."
"Okay well," Maggie draws closer to Mike and pinches his cheeks as she says: "You tell your girlfriend to keep a close eye on you."
...
Everyone in the room was enthralled watching the two of them perform. If they hadn't known better, they'd have thought it was real.
Some of the judges couldn't help but sigh at God's unfairness. They had been in this profession for many years and had seen all kinds of actors who would always perform diligently. But those two were on another level, they gave the impression that they had acting in their bones.
What they didn't know was that only Drew's talent was genuine, the other guy only replayed the movie scenes in his head and shamelessly mirrored them.
"Eric, you're really good, I heard that you were also the one who wrote the script, that's seriously awesome." When the play was over, Drew looked curiously at Eric and said.
Eric replied: "Thank you, but you're more outstanding than I am, Miss Drew."
"Thank you for the praise." Drew casually extended her hand towards him.
Eric also extended his to shake hers, and when he felt two of her fingers caressing his palm, he faintly smiled. Eric was no fool, he understood that this little girl was trying to gain his favor, perhaps she thought that he had a say regarding the casting.
After Drew Barrymore left, the judges fell silent. They knew about her coming to the audition, and had originally thought they would just eliminate her. But as of now, she was the best amongst all the candidates so far.
During the following auditions, everyone was somewhat absent-minded, Eric included.
Nearly one hour later, towards noon, Eric saw the last name on the audition list: Jennifer Aniston.
In that instant, Eric couldn't help but exclaim in his heart: America's sweetheart, in the flesh !
...
James Brooks opened his mouth and said: "Miss Aniston, will you please introduce yourself first ?"
Jennifer Aniston keenly felt the only young man in the room looking at her with a slightly feverish gaze, which made her proud but also added to her nervousness. She introduced herself and the director had her act a few scenes with the young man before the end of the audition.
She could tell from their behavior that they already had a candidate in mind for the role. Aniston was slightly disappointed, her parents were also in this circle, so she knew how things worked. However, she still gave it her best.
Once Jennifer Aniston left the audition room, Eric reluctantly looked back. Just like in the pictures he had seen in his past, she was somewhat plump right now, but with her 1.67m height, she looked really graceful in her high-heel shoes.
Although she wasn't fat, she would definitely appear to be so in front of the cameras as they tend to magnify everything.
"What's wrong, Eric, you like this girl ? I have to say, she does have a nice smile."
When Penny Marshall teased him, the others also took note of Eric's embarrassment and smiled. Eric scratched the back of his head as he awkwardly replied: "Penny, don't make fun of me, I just, I was only…"
James Brooks reorganized the materials in his hands as he said with a smile: "How is this making fun of you, Eric, if you like this girl, just go take her back home, the auditions are already over. Well, you can also accompany us old fogies to lunch."
"Nevermind… Forget it." Eric felt really out of it, he didn't even know her, what if she took him for a creep ?
"Come on Eric, don't be a wimp." James Brooks encouraged: "The world is big and if you miss out on a girl, you might never get another chance. That girl was a little plump but her beautiful smile can make up for it. Go after her, I'll give her a small role as one of Maggie's three good friends if you do, that way you'll have the opportunity to keep in touch with her."
"Really ? I… Thank you James, thank you. Then I'll be leaving first." Eric had wanted to request James to give Aniston an opportunity, but he hadn't even had the chance to that the former had taken matters into his own hands.
Eric grabbed his backpack and rushed out of the door amongst everyone's encouraging laughters.