Jennifer Lawrence sneakily observed Renly sitting cross-legged alone in the corner. At first, she was somewhat reserved, stealing glances cautiously. However, she soon noticed that Renly seemed entirely oblivious to her gaze, which emboldened her.
The shoot was progressing beyond expectations. Yesterday, they had traveled to Rhode Island and managed to wrap up all the scenes involving Jacob and Anna's vacation within just one day. In the following two days, the crew would focus on filming Jacob's life in Los Angeles after Anna's departure. Then, they would spend another day or two at the Los Angeles International Airport to complete the remaining scenes before the crew set off for London.
This also meant that Jennifer didn't have much time to ease into things; today, she would be shooting her first scene and had to get into character immediately.
Before the shoot began, Jennifer wanted to exchange some thoughts with Renly. It wasn't just for the upcoming scene; the impressive performances Renly had delivered over the past few days had stirred her competitive spirit even more. She was curious about how Renly managed it and was especially eager for today's scene, where they would be acting opposite each other.
Jennifer was familiar with Renly's routine. Before each scene started, he would find a quiet corner and meticulously read through the script. If necessary, he'd discuss certain details with the director and other actors. Thirty to forty-five minutes before the shoot began, Renly would already be immersed in his performance.
With only a moment of hesitation, Jennifer walked over with determined strides and crouched down in front of Renly. "Renly," she tentatively began, "want to go through the script together?"
Renly didn't respond; his gaze remained fixed on the script. He held an unlit cigarette between his lips, brows slightly furrowed, seemingly rereading a few lines over and over again. Jennifer also appeared in this scene; she knew they only had a few lines of dialogue between them—just a handful of sentences.
Could these few lines possibly flourish into something more?
"Renly?" Jennifer raised her voice slightly, but Renly still showed no reaction. Her brows drew together as well. She didn't appreciate this feeling; it was evident he was blatantly ignoring her. Frustration bubbled up within her, suppressed rage slowly simmering. She called out again, "Renly!" One syllable, another syllable—her tone was nearly biting.
Yet, Renly remained unresponsive.
This was the most infuriating behavior imaginable! Not only was he arrogant and conceited, but he also seemed to think no one else mattered. It was maddening... Jennifer felt her anger nearing its boiling point. Just as her respect for Renly started to wane, she remembered their initial misunderstanding when they had first met. Her anger subsided slightly, and she quickly noticed that Renly wasn't wearing his earplugs this time.
"Damn it!" Profanity hovered on her lips, but then Jennifer saw Renly reaching out his hand, groping in the air. He moved his fingers in varying depths, just like a blind person. This unexpected sight left Jennifer momentarily stunned. Then, she spotted a water glass near her feet. Could it be that Renly was searching for the glass?
Watching Renly's haphazard movements, Jennifer took a moment to think. She proactively picked up the glass and extended it to Renly's hand.
Renly felt the water glass being offered to him, which snapped him back to reality. He suddenly looked up, meeting Jennifer's curious gaze. She grinned at him. "Hey!"
Renly nodded in acknowledgment and took the glass from her. "Thanks." With his left hand, he removed the unlit cigarette from his mouth, then used his right hand to lift the glass. He took a couple of gulps before setting the glass down and picking up the cigarette again. He lowered his head and continued reading the script before him.
Jennifer was momentarily taken aback; evidently, she hadn't expected this response from Renly. This time, instead of anger, her curiosity grew stronger. She asked, probing, "What are you pondering about?"
Interrupted by the previous interaction, Renly didn't remain silent this time. "I'm thinking about what Jacob is really feeling at this moment." He placed the script on his lap. "You see, it's written in the script: Jacob is sketching furniture designs when he hears Sam's voice from behind, "Do you want your jeans ironed?". The story is disjointed here. In the scene prior, Jacob had just returned from London and bid farewell to Anna. However, in the next scene, he's cohabitating with Sam. There's no indication that Jacob and Anna have broken up. So, at this moment, what emotions are swirling inside Jacob? In that unexplored gap, how did he and Anna decide to part ways?"
A brief statement had ignited such a multitude of thoughts within Renly. Jennifer found it quite remarkable. "So, have you found the answer?" Now she understood why Renly was always reading the script and why he would ponder over a single sentence or passage.
"I don't know." Renly's response left Jennifer a little bewildered. He then continued to explain, "What I mean is, Jacob doesn't know either. His thoughts are in turmoil. Everything he experienced in London has left him in a state of confusion. He is lonely, sad, perhaps even a bit angry. And Anna feels the same way. They chose to break up; it was a mutual decision. So when Sam appears, he doesn't refuse."
"But deep down, he's unsure of his own thoughts or desires. He's uncertain if breaking up was the right choice. He's unsure of what he and Sam even are to each other. He's not even certain if he still deeply loves Anna or if their relationship has already begun to change."
"Hmm," Jennifer pondered deeply. She decided to sit down cross-legged as well. "Actually, Jacob doesn't want to break up. But his experience in London has altered the rhythm he shared with Anna. Anna has moved forward, yet Jacob remains stagnant. Faced with Sam's initiative, Jacob merely needs to keep moving forward, just requires companionship. So he doesn't refuse."
"Yes, I believe Jacob's nature is self-doubting. He's passive. His love story with Anna was too beautiful, too romantic. It was almost a manifestation of his most cherished fantasies about love. He can't let go, doesn't want to let go, even though they've chosen to break up. Yet, he continues to wrestle internally."
Renly removed the cigarette from his mouth and held it between his fingertips. His gaze grew increasingly profound. Jacob's character began to take shape in his mind. "But under the weight of real-life pressures, he's unsure how to proceed, unable to find a way out. So he muddles through, waiting for time to provide an answer. Just like countless ordinary people in this world. The principle is known by everyone, but not everyone can put it into practice."
Even in the absence of Sam, Jacob was still alone in Los Angeles. The relationship between him and Anna had fallen into a puzzle shaped by the changes in time and space. Sam was never the core issue; Jacob and Anna themselves were.
Jennifer fell into silence. In her mind, Sam's image became clearer than ever. She could sense the sadness and hesitation between Jacob's brows, and she caught glimpses of the childlike smile that Jacob occasionally revealed. She was trying her best, hoping to see that smile again, to protect the man before her, to keep him from getting hurt. However, she had never truly stepped into Jacob's inner world.
Perhaps this was cruel, but it was also reality.
"You know, if Jacob were to tell Anna about all these inner conflicts, how do you think things would turn out?" Jennifer followed Renly's train of thought, delving deeper.
Renly found himself contemplating as well. If in every relationship, everyone were willing to be open and communicate with each other, if everyone were willing to work hand in hand, would the outcome be different? But that was a hypothetical scenario, because everyone was so complex; sometimes honesty could solve problems, other times it couldn't.
"I think we'll never have a chance to know." Renly raised his head and looked at Drake, who was busy adjusting the camera.
In that moment, Renly was certain as never before that Drake still deeply loved his ex-wife.
But life was just that brutal. Everyone had their own doubts and pain. Even if you could foresee the future, it didn't necessarily mean you could change fate. Love itself wasn't about right or wrong. From the moment it started budding, it was a game of balance and compromise, a collision and fusion between two sides. More often than not, love couldn't solve all problems.
"Renly, why is it that you always manage to infuse your thoughts into your acting? Why is it that every time you perform, you effortlessly guide the rhythm?" Jennifer couldn't hold back any longer, asking her biggest question.
Renly was momentarily taken aback, then he smiled. "I don't know either. Acting, for me, remains a skill that needs constant learning and honing. I'm still a beginner." He paused and then revealed a pleasantly surprised expression. "I can control the rhythm of acting? Wow, that's the most wonderful praise I've heard. Thank you."
Jennifer chuckled softly, nodding as she returned the compliment without hesitation. However, she knew that it wouldn't be long before she'd get to know him better.
"If you must point out a special technique, I'd say it's the foundation." Renly recalled his school days, where the cultivation of fundamental skills had no shortcuts. Every student was the same. They had to abandon their ego, start learning from the most basic emotions, practice from the simplest animal imitations, and gradually refine their understanding of acting.
"Then…" Renly raised the script in his hand. "There's also thoroughly reading the script?"
Jennifer's gaze rested on the area between Renly's brows. She knew Renly was serious; this wasn't a joke. Although it might sound like one, the foundation and the script were principles every actor knew. They weren't any special techniques; however, they were the most important principles. It's just that many actors were too eager for quick success, wanting to transform into acting masters overnight, just like in Hollywood. They almost deliberately ignored such fundamental truths.