Standing beneath the warm showerhead in the bathroom, the soothing hot water washed away the weariness of his muscles. The long day had finally come to an end, marking the beginning of a new one.
"The Pacific", this work was a companion piece to "Band of Brothers", but its focus was slightly different.
"Band of Brothers" emphasized the brutality of war, showcasing the camaraderie and the tumultuous trajectory of World War II through the experiences of a company of soldiers. Among them, the depiction of the Normandy landings became the epitome of the entire work, even surpassing the impact of "Saving Private Ryan". The theme of "I am not a hero, I stand side by side with heroes" was enough to ignite passion in anyone.
On the other hand, "The Pacific" concentrated on portraying the aftermath of war. The series connected three characters—Eugene Sledge, John Basilone, and Robert Leckie—whose lives intertwined in the narrative. These three were real historical figures, and the show was based on the memoirs of Eugene and Robert. The plot revolved around these three characters, providing a comprehensive depiction of how their lives were affected from every angle, intending to reveal the profound impact World War II had on individual lives, families, and society at large.
Renly was about to play the role of Eugene, who shouldered the core essence and elevated ideals of the entire series.
In a previous life, Renly had watched "The Pacific" and had been deeply impressed by Eugene. He was a character both intriguing and complex.
Originally a frail teenager, he couldn't even engage in intense physical activity due to a heart condition. Yet, on the battlefield, he evolved into a soldier with bloodied hands and a somewhat irritable disposition. Initially, he would vomit at the sight of corpses, retching so intensely that his bile would spill. However, he later watched his comrades die one after another, witnessing the distortion of his beliefs due to the struggle and difficulties of survival. His humanity gradually faded, to the point where he saw a wailing baby, not as an innocent, but as potential collateral for a human bomb.
He had steadfastly believed that the war was the only way to protect his homeland from invasion. Yet, on the battlefield, he realized that even the enemy soldiers were living beings with families and convictions to protect. Their battles were not about protecting their homes; it was about mutual destruction. How did all this come to be? This made him question his faith. If God loved every person, why did he permit war to exist? If God was willing to bear the punishment for everyone's sins, why was he staining his hands with blood involuntarily?
The loss of humanity and the collapse of faith turned Eugene's world upside down. He miraculously survived, but despised the person he had become. His comrades who were braver and stronger than him lay forever on the battlefield, while he, a coward, had survived. He didn't even know how he had made it back home. That confusion, that pain, that struggle, it was all etched into Eugene's blood.
He returned to his hometown, limbs intact, but he didn't know how to carry on living. Eugene was no longer Eugene.
In the entirety of the series, Eugene was the most complete, vibrant, and richly portrayed character, encompassing all the ambitions of "The Pacific". In just ten episodes, it presented the sweeping journey of a lifetime. Comparatively, even when held against "Band of Brothers", Eugene's character depth and development stood out, potentially even enough material for a standalone movie.
Of course, this also meant the monumental challenge of acting, far beyond what anyone could imagine.
Joseph Mazzello, a former child star, played Eugene in the previous life. He carried a fragile quality akin to Bambi, granting Eugene a unique touch. The bewilderment, hesitation, and despair in his eyes aligned perfectly with the style of the entire series. However, Joseph's performance came across as somewhat monotonous, lacking layers and depth. He couldn't convey the delicate shifts, which invisibly weakened the core ideas of the series. Particularly in the latter part, the grand dissolution and the subsequent silent desolation were hardly portrayed. This was a significant blow to the creative team's efforts.
After the release of "The Pacific", critical acclaim persisted, but the audience response didn't match that of "Band of Brothers".
There were multiple reasons for this. First, there was the sky-high expectation set by the preceding masterpiece; the audience's standards had been elevated to an entirely new level, making inevitable comparisons. Second, the shift in the series' intent led to a change in emphasis, resulting in a slight weakening of the chemical reactions on the battlefield. Third, one had to consider the issue of adaptation references; "Band of Brothers" was based on a novel, while "The Pacific" was based on two different memoirs. This had some impact on consistency, particularly evident in the first half.
Lastly, and most importantly, Joseph hadn't managed to bring out enough depth. He couldn't make Eugene sustain the soul of the entire series, causing the elevation in the latter half to halt abruptly, lacking the summative baptism of "Band of Brothers".
Audiences were subjective, and the disparity between the two works left some dissatisfied. Critics were objective, offering ample recognition for the series' framework, scene quality, and core ideas.
Now, the character of Eugene would be taken over by Renly. How would his performance fare? Could he meet expectations? Could he surpass Joseph's performance? Could he use the power of acting to present the creative team's ideas? Could he illuminate the soul of the entire work "The Pacific"?
The overall quality of a work was not something a single actor could change, especially considering Renly was a newcomer without any acting experience. However, the quality and intensity of the performance were the actor's responsibility, a full responsibility. This was no easy task; strictly speaking, it was a daunting task.
Renly's blood surged rapidly, the adrenaline-fueled excitement and stimulation seeping into his muscles, causing uncontrollable exuberance.
Becoming an actor was his greatest dream and perseverance since his rebirth. Yet, everything before this had been mere speculation. Even after his scattered performances in London's West End and Off-Broadway, he didn't know if he had the talent to become an outstanding actor or the ability to continually challenge his acting skills. Not to mention the immense pressure from his family, which weighed heavily on him, making it hard to breathe.
Now, the opportunity had finally arrived, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Renly didn't feel daunted by the immense challenge; instead, he was exhilarated by the difficulty of the task. Despite this being his first official performance, he was already itching to give it his all, eager to try.
In this new lease on life, he hadn't come to hesitate or hold back. He intended to let loose, push his limits without restraint, and see how much brilliance he could unleash in his life. Living as vibrant as summer flowers, dying as tranquil as autumn leaves, he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Tagore, exploring this journey to its fullest.
After the excitement and exuberance had gradually subsided, Renly began to calm down. Simply wanting to take on the challenge wouldn't suffice; precisely because of its seriousness, he needed to place even more importance on it. Perhaps, tomorrow he should make a trip to the New York Public Library to start understanding the background information of the World War II era.
For most actors, acting was just that—acting. Relying on their innate abilities and skills, they presented themselves adequately. However, the ten years of movie-watching experience in his previous life, along with his studies at Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in this life, made Renly understand that acting was built upon the character. Only with a thorough grasp of the background knowledge and life experiences could the performance exude an inner-to-outer temperament that breathed vivid life into the character.
It was akin to how British aristocrats insisted on studying refined arts and reading physical books. The inherent temperament couldn't be described in words but often held the key to essential differences.
He had thought the excitement would keep him tossing and turning all night, yet surprisingly, once his head hit the pillow, he swiftly drifted into a deep slumber. Renly knew better than anyone else that he had been waiting for this day for a lifetime. He had already prepared himself; now all he needed to do was recharge and be ready to embark on this journey.
The early mornings in New York were always exceptionally noisy. The roar of car engines was deafening, the cacophony of human voices filled every corner of the building, and the struggling pipes emitted a groan, adding an air of impatience to the vibrant atmosphere.
Having enjoyed a comfortable sleep until ten-thirty, if it weren't for today's plans, he might have wished to linger in bed and sleep forever. Today, Renly intended to head to the New York branch of SAG, inquiring about the upcoming schedule for "The Pacific" to get specific details, and then proceed to the library to research. He didn't know how TV or movie productions were run, nor how actors prepared. As a newcomer, he could only rely on his understanding and do his best to be prepared before entering the production.
After freshening up, he opened the fridge and looked through its contents, realizing there wasn't much food left. It dawned on him that he hadn't been to the supermarket for a while. It seemed Chris had forgotten about it too. After rummaging around, he picked up an apple, took a bite, and was about to leave after closing the fridge.
"Wait." Chris, holding a T-shirt, opened the door in a flurry, hastily putting on his shoes. "Wait, are you heading to the actors' guild now? I'll come along."
Renly raised an eyebrow, his expression showing confusion. Chris casually explained, "I want to check the situation."
Without overthinking it, Renly waved his hand and promptly said, "Sure, come along."
Chris put on his shoes, strode over rapidly, then noticed the apple in Renly's hand. "...That's the apple I bought, right? I'll grab one too."
"It's the last one." Renly said calmly, taking another large, crisp bite of the rosy apple.
Chris stood beside him, sweatdropping.