Grandiose Talk

In the end, no one cooked; the task was left to a professional team of French chefs.

Moreover, since it was a banquet, there couldn't possibly be only Henry, Tony, and Ms. Catherine among the attendees.

Another couple are big names in the financial world: Alex Hart, CEO of Mastercard, and his wife.

Perhaps because Henry was an outsider, Alex, a bigwig in the financial world, did not forcefully dominate the conversation at the banquet. Instead, he fulfilled his duty as a listener, giving just the right responses.

Tony Stark, who always loves being in the spotlight, was utterly defeated by Henry this time. Henry could rattle off Catherine's films like the back of his hand, even including positive reviews from the time.

Even Henry himself could analyze the strengths and weaknesses of these films.

If someone unfamiliar with movies heard this, they would definitely be completely confused.

But Catherine Hepburn was no ordinary woman; she wasn't the type to act in a movie and then not watch it herself.

Having come from a theatrical background, and being one of the few actresses of the Golden Age who was willing to hone her acting skills rather than simply relying on her natural personality, Catherine could understand what Henry was saying.

This undoubtedly gave the aging superstar a sense of having met a kindred spirit. Catherine exclaimed, "So you were telling the truth when you said you were a fan of mine, and not just another Hepburn fan. It seems you weren't lying."

"Madam..." Henry was about to speak when he was interrupted.

"Just call me Catherine," the superstar said with a kind smile.

"Alright, Catherine. I wouldn't lie to a talented and beautiful lady like you. If I were just saying something casually, or if I were lying, you should be able to tell easily."

Unable to contain himself any longer, Tony Stark finally muttered under his breath, "Sycophant."

Everyone heard it, but no one took it seriously. They just laughed and continued chatting, clearly all of them quite familiar with Tony Stark's personality.

Catherine added, "In that case, Henry, let me test you."

"Please speak."

"Recently, film critics have been criticizing me for making movies after the age of forty, saying that I can only rely on nostalgia to maintain a mediocre box office. What do you think about this?"

"Ignore these people's words, Catherine. There are many reasons for poor box office performance, but I think Hollywood studios bear the most responsibility."

"Oh, that's a new perspective. Finally, I've heard an answer that doesn't criticize the audience for lacking sufficient skill."

Henry commented sarcastically. "Because in Hollywood movies, the types and age ranges of women are quite narrow. They are either young and beautiful girls, or glamorous and mature women, or mean old women."

"Women aren't limited to just these few types. But film companies use box office revenue as a justification to only show these few types of women on the big screen. They don't just talk about it; they take direct action."

"Then they forcefully demand that actresses play such roles, regardless of whether they are suitable or not. When the performance fails or is not ideal, the blame is shifted onto the actresses."

"Of course, this is not your fault. In the film industry, actors are only one part. Even if you contribute your youthful beauty and the most superb acting skills, you can still be filmed as a pile of shit by the camera."

"Even directors, editors, and producers can easily ruin a movie. But who among them admits their mistakes? No one; the actors are always the best scapegoats."

"What If...? we have a suitable script, a capable director, a producer who isn't overconfident to the point of being superstitious, and an actor like you, we can create another classic film."

"Regardless, a film's success is a result of perfect execution in every aspect. Reason, a failure can have many contributing factors. In my opinion, the actors are precisely the least responsible party."

"Because actors need to go through casting before appearing on camera, and then, under the guidance of a director, they must demonstrate their acting skills in front of the camera. What If...? an actor really performs poorly, shouldn't the blame lie with the team that cast that actor?"

"With so many actors in Hollywood, are these the only people we can choose from? What If...? an actor performs well but the movie still fails, do we really need to point out where the problem lies? It certainly won't be with the actor."

"Besides, what's wrong with selling nostalgia? Would the audience really like to watch a newcomer who, apart from being the right age and looks for the role, actually has awkward acting skills? Why not choose a mature actor with solid acting skills and rich experience?"

What sounded like a very positive assessment, however, didn't sit well with Catherine. Instead, she said, "While I agree with most of what you said, there's a certain air about me being an old woman who should play old woman roles. That's what makes me even angrier."

Now it was Henry's turn to awkwardly say, "Actually... that's not the point I wanted to emphasize."

Tony laughed loudly from the side and said, "Yes, Catherine, don't be so polite. This kid just takes advantage of his cleverness and likes to talk down to others in a condescending manner. He deserves to be taught a lesson."

At this moment, everyone looked at Tony Stark with puzzled expressions. Catherine Hepburn said, "Tony Stark, don't you want to listen to what you just said? Why do you think this problem only exists in other people?"

Tony wanted to vehemently refute Catherine Hepburn's hurtful remark, but seeing the older woman's expression, he gave up.

This person always manages to pinpoint the most insidious points in other people's words. Even the most brilliant mind cannot guarantee that its words will be perfectly flawless—a fact proven by both the Stark father and son.

So Tony, seeing the seemingly bored and silent bigwig standing to the side, said, "Alex, let's talk in the study. My father has a collection of whiskey there."

"Howard's treasured possession, I definitely have to try it. I don't know how long I'd have to wait for him to bring it out himself."

The financial tycoon left with Tony, leaving his wife behind to discuss the film with Henry and Catherine.

Henry understood what the two women meant when they deliberately kept him there by talking about movies. They were looking for an opportunity to talk privately, and he shouldn't be so tactless as to ask for a sip of whiskey.

In fact, Tony invited Alex Hart and his wife to attend through Catherine.

This bigwig, who usually operates in New York, rarely comes to California for vacation, which gave Tony an opportunity.

His agreement to attend the dinner was certainly not because the two had a particularly close personal relationship. If we're talking about friendship, perhaps Howard could have helped them establish a connection.

Tony Stark, being a close relative, would surely have some purpose in inviting him to dinner. Alex Hart attended this private party precisely because he was curious about that purpose.