On Acting

Not intending to gloss over the issue, Henry said seriously, "Let me first let you know that before becoming the boss's assistant, I worked as an actor in Hollywood for a few months."

"The kind of background character in a movie, just walking around, no lines, no camera shots. But that doesn't stop me from observing famous actors and pondering so-called 'acting skills'."

"Some people are called method actors, some are method actors. Others will bring up performance acting, but in fact, the approach of this school of thought is the responsibility of the director and has little to do with the actors."

"No matter what methods an actor uses to hone their acting skills, some succeed, some fail, and some are criticized for always playing themselves, no matter what they are playing."

"In fact, all acting techniques emphasize one thing: to let the actor immerse himself in the role and become him, rather than simply playing him."

"But why do some people succeed while others don't? I think those who succeed do so because their personalities inherently possess the qualities needed for the role, which the director then brings out."

"Furthermore, because the atmosphere of the entire play serves this character, the two complement each other perfectly. This is actually the ideal presentation of expressionism."

"What If...? the director isn't skilled enough, it's easy for the actors to become mere performers. In fact, in my opinion, everyone is performing themselves."

"It's just a part of myself, not the whole of myself. The reason, of course, is that this movie, this scene, this shot needs this part of myself, but not the other parts."

"Of course, I'm not saying that those successful actors who play murderers or criminals so convincingly are actually murderers or criminals. Rather, they amplify a part of their own personality and work with the director to create the characters as seen by the audience."

"Undeniably, these people must possess these violent traits in their personalities to be able to put on such performances on the big screen. But as Freud emphasized, humans are multifaceted, not singular."

"Furthermore, the legal and Moral framework of modern society restricts people's behavior. For example, we all know that randomly beating someone up will result in legal responsibility and compensation."

"But in movies, you don't need to worry about these things. It's a fictional world, and what's needed is conflict. Conflicts of humanity, conflicts of fists, even those seemingly ordinary movies are full of ideological conflicts."

"So even if these actors may have some bad aspects in their personalities, it doesn't mean that their behavior will necessarily be like that. Everyone has violence hidden in their heart, but isn't the purpose of learning to be human precisely to ensure that these hidden things never appear?"

"In conclusion, I now believe that an actor's performance in a film is actually a way of revealing a part of themselves."

Then, with the help of the director and others, and relying on the plot, set design, and interactions with other characters, this self is disguised as another person.

"So, looking back, will I be disappointed because I liked Princess Ann, Sister Luke, Holly Gretley, and Eliza Dolittle in the movies, and then felt that Ms. Hepburn wasn't quite like these characters?"

"Of course not. Because in my eyes, Audrey Hepburn was a princess who shook hands with everyone just to shake hands with a reporter and say goodbye properly."

"Natasha Thaddeus Ross, who remained innocent even during the war and grew up because of it, and Susie Derek, who outwitted and outmaneuvered treacherous criminals."

"He is one person, and he is everyone. I even got to know more about Audrey Hepburn because I saw him up close. As a film fan, what could be more fortunate? Disappointment? Not a chance."

Actually, while Henry was giving his long-winded speech, the restaurant had already started serving the food. However, both listeners were too busy being amazed to eat.

Audrey Hepburn, who was once an actress, was naturally most deeply moved by Henry's part about acting.

It's undeniable that even if I didn't have certain negative traits in my personality, I still had to try to understand them in order to perform.

Then the performance begins.

In this way, even if these traits weren't originally in one's personality, they will become part of it. Otherwise, there wouldn't be the saying that some people get too caught up in a role and can't get out of it.

Although Givenchy wasn't an actor, he was also an admirer of Audrey Hepburn, and he felt that Henry's words couldn't be more correct.

The Audrey Hepburn portrayed in the movies is not his entirety; it's merely a persona presented to serve the film roles, only a part of him.

The real Audrey was much more complex; one could always glimpse the beauty that captivated her in every smile.

Givenchy couldn't help but exclaim, "Audrey, now I finally understand why you told me this boy was interesting and worth getting to know. Henry, right? Kid, I like you too. You've expressed what I was thinking in the most complete way."

"Thank you for your recognition, sir," Henry replied politely but firmly.

The two men found it amusing that Ms. Hepburn was both blushing and sipping all the water and wine on the table in one gulp.

Givenchy beckoned to a waiter and asked them to refill the lady's glass of water. He then jokingly asked, "Isn't it autumn? Is it really that hot? Or is the restaurant heated?"

After drinking another glass of water, Audrey Hepburn finally calmed down a bit. She rolled her eyes at her best friend of decades and said, "You should know that I used to read film critics' reviews in the newspapers."

"Luckily, I saw it in the newspaper, otherwise I would either be so angry I wanted to punch someone, or so embarrassed I couldn't speak. I couldn't avoid it today, so I heard it to my face. You two should think about me, the person involved, you despicable guys."

"Hahaha." Givenchy nudged Henry with his elbow with satisfaction, pretending to whisper, "This is a side of a big star that ordinary movie fans never see. I usually don't tell others that being their friend has these advantages."

Suddenly Givenchy stood up, raised his glass, and said, "A tribute to the beauty of our golden age, a cultural gem, and the eternal star of cinema, Audrey Hepburn."

In fact, some people recognized the big star as soon as Ms. Hepburn entered the restaurant. After all, people who can afford to go to places like this are mostly old folks from that era.

When Henry was talking at length, he didn't deliberately lower his voice, nor did he speak to everyone like he was giving a speech.

However, most of the other customers in the restaurant were also distracted.

When Givenchy raised his glass in a toast, everyone, in a playful mood, joined Henry in raising their glasses and shouting, "To the eternal Audrey Hepburn!"

The superstar was so embarrassed that he could only blush, stand up, and retort to everyone in the restaurant. Dinner passed in a pleasant mood.