198 "Like Crazy" Screening II

As the film progressed, the audience was gradually introduced to Felicity as Anna and Lucas as Jacob. Their characters had not yet entered into a relationship, but the audience was becoming familiar with them. The current scene, set in a bustling bar where Jacob worked, captivated the viewers.

In that lively bar, Anna found herself sipping wine, her eyes transfixed on Jacob as he prepared to take the stage.

As Lucas and the band strummed the opening chords on stage, a wave of anticipation rippled through the audience. The haunting melody piqued their curiosity, leaving them eager for more.

Initially, the audience suspected the film might gloss over Jacob's musical performance. However, to their mild surprise, the scene seamlessly transitioned into his song. With the opening lines, "Look at the stars, 🎶" Jacob's voice filled the room, "Look how they shine for you, and everything you do.🎵🎶"

The bar scene mirrored the audience's reaction; the chatter and laughter faded into a hushed silence, as everyone's attention was drawn to Jacob's performance.

Astonishment was clear in Anna's eyes, a sentiment mirrored by the audience as they were pleasantly surprised to discover the film included an actual song performance.

As the scene unfolded, Jacob's voice carried on, "Yeah, and they were all yellow, 🎶" he sang, his devotion to Anna palpable in every note, "I came along, I wrote a song for you, and all the things you do, 🎶" his gaze locked on hers, while the band's music amplified the emotion of his words.

The audience was captivated, absorbed in the moment. The song's intimacy even drew some couples closer, their connection deepening as they listened until the end. The lyric "Look how they shine for you" lingered in the air, touching everyone's heart.

***

Davy Parks, representing Sony Pictures, was visibly moved by the performance. Having watched the film, he was already interested in its romantic storyline, appreciating the actors' performances, especially Lucas's. Yet, the inclusion of a musical piece was an unexpected delight. This element of surprise, coupled with the film's quality, significantly piqued his interest in acquiring it.

Honestly, Davy was so captivated by Lucas's performance that he considered acquiring the film even if it hadn't met all his expectations. The song alone had struck a chord with him, showcasing potential that could shine independently of the film's overall quality. The idea of securing the rights to the film for the song's sake was an enticing proposition.

It wasn't just Davy from Sony Pictures who felt this way; representatives from other major distributors like Paramount, HBO, and Lionsgate also found their interest in "Like Crazy" significantly heightened by Lucas's song. This single performance had the power to elevate the film's appeal across the board.

***

After Lucas's heartfelt song, a young blonde woman in the bar couldn't contain her admiration. "Wow, what a beautiful song!" she exclaimed, her voice piercing through the bar's ambient noise, leading to a round of applause for Jacob's performance.

The camera then panned to the young woman who had shouted, revealing her to be Jennifer, a member of the film's cast. Her genuine reaction added a layer of authenticity to the scene.

Captivated by Jacob and his mesmerizing performance, Anna felt moved to express her feelings in a more personal way. She left a heartfelt letter, carefully tucked under the windshield of Jacob's motorcycle parked outside the bar. This simple act set the stage for what was to come.

The narrative then unfolds with Jacob discovering the letter on his bike. As he reads it, a chuckle escapes him, clearly delighted by its contents. He immediately reaches out to Anna over the phone.

The film teases the audience with a glimpse of the letter in Jacob's hands. However, due to the cursive writing and the brief exposure, compounded by Jacob's head obstructing the view, the audience is left hanging, their curiosity about the letter's contents unfulfilled.

After the phone call, Jacob and Anna rendezvous at a café. The camera tenderly captures Anna's inquiry, "Were you scared?" Jacob's response is a simple, reassuring smile and a shake of his head.

"I suppose you wouldn't be here if it had scared you," Anna observes, her smile warm, her eyes radiating deep affection towards him.

Jacob meets her gaze, his smile reflecting his own affection. "No, it was actually quite nice...and unexpectedly amusing," he shares openly. "And just so you know, I don't think you're crazy. Not in the slightest. I thought it was important to clarify that, just in case."

The film then gracefully transitions into scenes of Jacob and Anna growing closer, capturing moments of them walking together and Jacob visiting Anna's apartment. Their conversation there is a whispered exchange, mindful of Anna's sleeping roommate.

From the moment Anna introduced her wine to Jacob, his reaction, "It's strong!" sparked a playful exchange between them.

Anna, with a teasing smile, inquired, "Do you not drink much?"

Jacob, mirroring her smile, confessed, "You're right."

Anna's curiosity was piqued as she wondered, "How can that be, considering you work as a performer at a bar? Don't patrons often offer you drinks?"

Jacob's response came with a light-hearted laugh, "Haha, just because I work in a bar and love motorbikes doesn't mean I need to drink all the time."

The conversation then naturally flowed to Anna's hobby, which was writing. Initially hesitant, Anna's shyness was apparent as she decided to share her work with Jacob.

"You're not allowed to laugh, okay?" she warned, a hint of vulnerability in her voice as she handed over her writing.

Jacob chuckled softly, his demeanor reassuring as he made himself comfortable on the bed. "Alright, I won't laugh," he promised.

Anna's admission, "I've never read it out loud before," revealed her nervousness. "So, you'll be the first one to hear it," she said, her gaze meeting Jacob's, inviting him into a part of her world no one else had seen.

Jacob's response was a supportive smile, full of anticipation for what Anna was about to share.

"Really, you want to hear it?" Anna's voice carried a blend of excitement and vulnerability.

With a decisive nod from Jacob, Anna let out a gentle laugh, then commenced her reading. "I thought I understood it," her voice was tender and clear, inviting Jacob into her inner world.

"That I could grasp it, but I didn't," she continued, her words painting a vivid picture of introspection. "Not really. Just the 'smudgeness' of it. The pink-slippered, all-encompassing, semi-precious eagerness of it. I didn't realize it could sometimes be more than whole. That the idea of wholeness was actually quite luxurious."

Jacob listened intently as Anna expressed, "Because it's the halves that halve you in half." She delved further, "Didn't know. Don't know about the in-between bits." With a tone of revelation, she added, "The gory bits of you and gory bits of me. I like 'the halves that halve you in half.'"

Upon finishing, Jacob's expression teetered on the edge of laughter. "Like the halves that halve you in half," he repeated, his smile breaking free.

The audience, drawn into this intimate moment, couldn't help but chuckle along. As the film progressed, it warmed their hearts and stirred nostalgia, especially among the couples present.

While some anticipated the storyline to unfold as a typical love story, the looming reality of Anna's return to England added an unexpected layer of complexity.

Before her departure, Jacob had a special gift for Anna—a song. With Jacob on the guitar, the audience braced themselves for another heartfelt performance, ready to be captivated once more by the magic of music.