Chapter 216: Is It Really That Good?

On the screen, Hardy's fists, like the hammer of a wrathful Thor, relentlessly smashed down on the grotesque head of a yellow bastard, splattering yellowish fluid and staining Hardy's fists and the grey earth. Against the black backdrop, this stark contrast was particularly jarring.

This powerful imagery seemed to infect Roger Ebert with a sense of disgust, as if he could smell something foul.

"If the comic is an extreme display of personal style, then Murphy Stanton's film pushes this style to its absolute limit!" Roger Ebert couldn't hide his admiration for the film. "Only a director with true ambition can create such a piece."

His low whispers reached Jennifer Monáe. Surprised, she turned to look at the renowned critic. Although Ebert wasn't known for being harsh, earning his praise for a film or a director was no easy feat.

From his words, it was clear that Roger Ebert didn't just appreciate the film and Murphy Stanton, the young director.

However, Jennifer Monáe, who had watched the entire film, couldn't discern anything particularly special apart from the distinctive visuals and slow-motion action scenes. If there was anything to note, it was the extreme violence and nudity, to a point where it almost repelled her.

She had seen Frank Miller's original comics, and their explicit content was nothing compared to the movie. The director's pure black and white visuals gave a special treatment to these explicit scenes, shrouding them in mystery and sparking the audience's imagination.

Jennifer Monáe, not a newcomer to Hollywood, easily recognized the director's clever techniques that brought effects unreachable by the comics.

She wanted to ask Roger Ebert about his genuine thoughts, but the old man was still engrossed in the movie.

"Kara," Jennifer Monáe asked quietly, "what do you think?"

To her surprise, Kara Fes shook her head. "I don't like it. It's very unfriendly to women."

She wasn't the only one with similar thoughts; Gal Gadot, sitting next to Murphy, also didn't enjoy the film. While her eyes were on the screen, her mind wandered elsewhere. She disliked this type of movie, where women's roles were mere accessories for men, often appealing to the male gaze through nudity and other base means.

Even as the film ended, Gal Gadot hadn't snapped back to reality, until the applause broke her reverie. The theater erupted into enthusiastic clapping, seemingly indicating the film's popularity.

The crew stood up, and Murphy did as well, but Gal Gadot remained seated, hidden behind the crowd.

Through gaps in the crowd, she watched Murphy receiving handshakes and congratulations, many introduced by a woman named Grace. They all seemed like important figures, each declaring the film a masterpiece.

"Is it really that good?" Gal Gadot wondered, suspecting these were just polite compliments.

Holding this thought, she left the theater with the crew, still in a daze beside Murphy, and entered the hotel's banquet hall.

There, she saw more people congratulating Murphy, their praises similar but seemingly sincere.

In the brightly lit banquet hall, Gal Gadot observed the genuine smiles and heartfelt conversations, which didn't seem formulaic but more like genuine praise.

"Hey, Murphy," Avi Nevo, someone familiar to Gal Gadot, approached, greeting Murphy before turning to her. "Gal, I didn't expect to see you here."

Gal Gadot looked at Murphy and then smiled slightly.

Murphy introduced her, "Avi, Gal is here on my invitation."

Avi Nevo nodded, "Gal is the daughter of an old friend of mine. Murphy, don't bully her."

"Of course not," Murphy replied, turning to Gal Gadot. "Gal and I hit it off instantly and are now very good friends."

Hearing this, Avi Nevo glanced at Gal Gadot, who didn't contradict but nodded slightly.

Sensing the situation, Avi Nevo said, "I'd like a word with Gal alone."

"Sure," Murphy pointed to a rotund figure in the center of the hall. "I'll go talk to Harvey."

"What's going on with you two?" Avi Nevo asked as Murphy left.

"He's pursuing me," Gal Gadot didn't hide it. "It started the night you hosted that party."

Avi Nevo turned back, "Have you accepted?"

Gal Gadot shook her head, "No, but I haven't refused either."

Avi Nevo led her to a quieter spot. "Do you like him?"

After a moment's thought, Gal Gadot nodded lightly, "I find him interesting."

"Gal, you're grown up, and I won't interfere with your choices," Avi Nevo expressed his concern. "My only advice: unless you plan to study or stay in the U.S., don't easily accept any local pursuits."

Gal Gadot hesitated, "I understand."

Avi Nevo patted her arm, "You're smart and mature; I trust you'll make the right choice."

He glanced at Murphy in the center of the hall, who, like Harvey Weinstein, had become a focal point of the gathering.

He admired Murphy, not just for his directorial skills, but also for his confidence, determination, humility, and maturity. Murphy stood out in every aspect.

"He's worthy of pursuing you," Avi Nevo thought. "But I'm concerned about time and distance, as some things exist even if we don't acknowledge them."

After a brief chat, Avi Nevo shifted the topic. "Is this your first time at a screening like this? How do you feel?"

"A bit boring," Gal Gadot didn't need to hide her feelings from Avi Nevo. "I was mostly distracted."

"Such films aren't for every female audience," Avi Nevo chuckled. "It's normal that you didn't find it thrilling."

"Thrilling?" Gal Gadot recalled the previous compliments. "Is it as good as you say?"

"It's a masterpiece of violent aesthetics!" Avi Nevo praised generously. "Murphy has transcended the limitations of comics. The highly stylized visuals combined with the essence of B-movies and film noir create the cool 'Sin City'!"

Gal Gadot was stunned, rarely hearing such admiration from Avi Nevo.

"There's another reason I love it," Avi Nevo smiled happily. "I'm an investor in 'Sin City.' I can already feel it will be a favorite among many male viewers and bring me substantial profit."

He laughed heartily, envisioning the profits.

"Wait!" Gal Gadot seemed to recall something. "I remember asking why you invest in films as a child. You said it was for the art."

"Well…" Avi Nevo appeared a bit embarrassed. "Art is also part of my pursuit."

Gal Gadot knew better than to believe such excuses now.

"I want to leave," she requested. "Can your driver take me back to the hotel?"

Avi Nevo gestured towards the center of the hall. "Won't you wait for Murphy?"

"Wait for what?" Gal Gadot glanced at Murphy, who seemed busy.

Though she liked him, there was no need to be too obvious.

Just as Gal Gadot observed, Murphy was indeed busy, attending to each media representative and critic. Hollywood was not a place where good filmmaking alone guaranteed everything, especially for directors like him who sought not only market success but also awards. The support of some media and critics was crucial.

Notable critics like Kenneth Turan and Todd McCarthy were important for their potential endorsements.

Roger Ebert, another significant critic, appeared at the hotel only as the banquet was concluding.

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