Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

August 19.

The final scenes of Jerry Maguire were being filmed after Phoenix, followed by the scenes in Dorothy’s house with her son. These were the scenes containing the most heartfelt speech of the entire movie. The relationship between the sisters and Jerry's entry into their lives was predicted in three ways: first, their acceptance of Jerry due to his calm demeanor, and second, because of Dorothy's love for Jerry, which perhaps made him shine so brightly.

-You’ve got it, kid!- commented Jim Waitt to Billy, seeing the confused look on his face. Jim almost rolled his eyes but stopped, remembering that Billy Carson was in charge of a giant company, and it was logical for him to forget small details to focus on truly important matters.

-The role for A Time to Kill, you’ll have to hurry and start filming as soon as possible,- Jim said.

-Ohhhh, you should have said so earlier,- Billy replied, accepting the script with some confusion. He needed a week in October for the publicity of Seven.

-Five million dollars, I secured a deal based on two opportunities: that we distribute the movie and, of course, that you act in the role. Reaching these companies and negotiating with a distribution company is simply magnificent,- Jim Waitt commented.

-It feels like I created a company just to get acting roles,- Billy said, somewhat bewildered.

-Oh, don’t worry. My namesake, Gianopulus, mentioned a possible acquisition of the Orion Pictures distributor. You’ve already bought a substantial part, with your deal with the Adams family, with the closure of the production company, and the delivery of Orion TV to ABC. Jim Gianopulus bought the labor contracts of many employees, even paying compensation for some. They will have a merger in 1996, reinforcing with several employees who distribute and promote development in Europe and Oceania,- Jim Waitt explained.

-So, our distributor gains several talented employees,- Billy commented.

-Yes, along with the purchase of the sci-fi film RoboCop. They were planning Terminator, but there were some issues,- Jim Waitt added.

-I suppose you have other news,- Billy said.

-I do. James Cameron sent us an invitation for a mega-production. Auditions will start in January. It seems there will be some filters, but the investment is around $150 million, and your salary could reach $10 million,- Jim Waitt said.

-Perhaps we can invest everything in percentages and wait for the movie’s success,- Billy commented, believing the project referred to was Titanic. Now, Billy had a clear idea of triumph over the final failure many companies expected. Perhaps he could invest and scratch, even buy the rights to some brands. It was a joint mix between Paramount and Fox if Billy could remember.

Preparing to film all the scenes in the house meant Billy had two days to shoot the takes and then fly to Mississippi to start filming. It would be an old-school shoot.

-We’ll do our best,- Billy said, shaking hands with Jim.

The scene was about to start filming.

-Okay, scene 64, everyone gets ready, adjust the cameras,- Cameron commented from a corner.

-Scene 64, take 1.-

Jerry and Dorothy prepare for bed, exhausted, just getting ready to sleep. Dorothy sits on the edge of the bed, having just had dinner with Rod and Marcee, where they each expressed their love, just as Marcee’s water broke.

-What were you thinking tonight? Watching them go through the full human emotional experience?- Dorothy asked.

-I was thinking, I hope she doesn’t get hurt. I felt responsible,- Jerry replied.

-Sometimes I can’t say absolutely what’s going through that head of yours,- Dorothy commented, getting under the covers. The TV is on, and she makes a sound of particular discontent.

-I still don’t know your noises,- Jerry said.

-Well, when you wonder about it. Ask me,- Jerry says, somewhat distant from his wife’s gaze, there’s a discontent, some dissatisfaction with the way Jerry says things.

-I will…- Dorothy replies, feeling inadequate.

-Why do you love me?- Maguire/Billy asks Dorothy/Renee, with a sense of foreboding.

-Why do you love me?- Dorothy responds to Jerry.

Of course, it’s the best question, and before he can answer, someone knocks on the door.

It’s little Ray.

-Jerry, can I come in and watch TV?- Ray asked.

-I’ll visit you in a second,- Dorothy said.

-Just for a few minutes, buddy…- Jerry says, but they both speak at the same time.

The door bursts open, and Ray jumps onto the bed, positioning himself in the middle and starting to wrestle with Jerry for the remote. Dorothy watches, disconnected. A hardness overtakes her that we haven’t seen before.

-Cut. Great take,- Cameron commented, looking at the screen, but noticing a bit of the cameraman’s shadow, deciding to repeat a few scenes. They repeated until mid-afternoon.

-Let's take the next shots, they shout in the production studio as the lights dim with many implements.  - Billy remains calm, taking calls and organizing his notes.

• Scene 62, take 1. -

Jerry is on the phone, improvising some sales pitch on behalf of Tidwell. Dorothy approaches, sends a few text messages, and sits down. A moment of silence, she looks at him with an unfamiliar expression.

-It's my fault, - Dorothy comments.

-What? - Jerry asks, confused.

-It's not fair to you. All of this... - Dorothy remarks.

In a moment of crisis,

-Tell me, let me help you. Let me help you, - Jerry says, somewhat desperate.

-I took advantage of you, and the worst part is I'm not alone. I did this with a child. I was on a journey where I thought I was in love enough for both of us. I did this, and at least now I can admit it. Now I have to do something about it, - Dorothy comments.

Jerry tries to mitigate what she's saying, trying to avoid causing harm.

-Well, I'm not the type to walk away. I'm staying, - Jerry comments.

-I don't need you to stick around, Jerry says.

-Do you want... - Jerry starts.

-I don't know, Dorothy responds.

-Something like that, -  Jerry tries to gesture, but fear creeps in.

-Damn it, I deserve this, - Dorothy says.

-Dorothy, what if I'm just not cut out for this? - Jerry comments.

-I think we've made a mistake here. But now I want to stop, - Dorothy comments.

Jerry's face shows sadness.

-If it's true? "Great at friendship, bad at intimacy. - That's my soliloquy in the movie... Jerry comments.

-I know. I saw it. I know it by heart, - Dorothy comments.

-I don't like giving up, - Jerry comments, absorbed in rejection.

-Oh please. My need to make the best of things and your need to be "responsible"... If neither of us says something now, we could waste ten educated years on this. Why don't we call this upcoming road trip what it is? A long, pleasant break, -  Dorothy comments.

-What about Ray? - Jerry asks.

She notices the real hint of pain in that question.

-There's no doubt they'll be friends. Of course, they'll be friends, - Dorothy comments.

-So this breakup... is a breakup, - Jerry Maguire begins to fade, like a puddle of water evaporating. Meanwhile, Billy portrays a glimpse of loss, like a child in an airport who can't find his mother.

-Come on, Jerry. You know this isn't easy for me. I mean, on the surface, you'd almost think everything was fine. Look, I have a great kid who loves my son (resolved, without tears) and I'm sure he likes me a lot, - Dorothy comments.

Jerry Maguire, a man who makes a living by talking, has nothing to say.

-I can't live like that. It's not the way I'm built. I need to be loved, - Dorothy comments.

He moves closer to hug her, but she pulls away first.

-Cut, -  Dorothy comments.

The camera pans to Billy, watching as Dorothy walks away.

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