As a friend, Charlie understood Michel.
Even though Michel had agreed to come to New York to meet Anson, in reality, his mind still hadn't fully processed everything. He hadn't clarified the entire web of interests, so he was still acting awkwardly in front of Anson.
With a light sigh, Charlie ultimately chose not to make things harder for Michel.
"Anson, what do you think of Kate Winslet?"
Kate Winslet, the leading actress in Titanic.
That one role alone would be enough to etch her into cinematic history. However, as an actress, she had already delivered a series of outstanding performances that proved she should not be defined by just Titanic.
Movies like The Reader, Sense and Sensibility, Little Children, Finding Neverland, and Steve Jobs have given her a lasting presence on the big screen.
As for Anson, the film that left the deepest impression on him wasn't Titanic, but rather—
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
When she appeared in Titanic, Kate was only twenty-one, still carrying a bit of baby fat, which led to cruel comments from some viewers about her appearance. But by the time she starred in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, she was twenty-seven, and that bold, fiery red hair became her defining look.
In that movie, Kate's understanding of the script and connection with the character reached a level of maturity. She delivered her most nuanced, rich, and unique performance, solidifying her reputation as a serious actress in the eyes of the Academy, paving the way for her eventual Oscar win.
So, hearing Kate's name from Charlie's mouth didn't surprise Anson.
In fact, he was all for it.
"I like her," Anson said.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Anson realized his mistake:
At this point in time, Kate hadn't yet starred in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In Hollywood, she was still mostly seen as a glamorous star without much critical acclaim.
In a way, Kate and Leonardo were in the same boat, with their careers being defined as "pre-Titanic" and "post-Titanic."
Before Titanic, they were both considered acting prodigies—Leonardo for What's Eating Gilbert Grape and Kate for Sense and Sensibility. Both earned Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor/Actress and were hailed as rising stars.
After Titanic, however, the overwhelming success of the movie catapulted both actors to an unattainable peak, overshadowing their talent. Titanic became the turning point in their careers—both positively and negatively.
Leonardo tried to escape Hollywood, seeking solitude and taking on physically demanding roles to divert attention from his looks.
Kate, on the other hand, dove into the world of independent films, repeatedly taking on challenging roles to prove she had more to offer as an actress.
However, Kate's intentions became too obvious. The Academy felt she was forcing a narrative of struggle, overcompensating, and they weren't interested in watching her try so hard.
That was until Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind—
Charlie Kaufman's quirky, introspective script broke the mold and gave Kate the recognition she had been striving for all along.
Just like Titanic, Eternal Sunshine was a pivotal moment in Kate's career.
However.
At this point, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind hadn't been made yet, so there had been no shift in perception. To Hollywood, Kate and Leonardo were still seen as part of the Titanic phenomenon—commercial stars trying to prove themselves as serious actors.
As Anson noticed Charlie's surprised look and Michel's "I knew it" expression, he realized they had misunderstood him.
But Anson didn't plan to explain.
After a brief pause, he added, "I've always thought Kate is a highly versatile actress. Maybe she's not a natural like Katharine Hepburn or Meryl Streep, but she's a very dedicated actress."
"She always brings her own ideas to her roles, constructing a deep understanding of her characters."
"Even in Titanic, where she played a wealthy girl in distress, she studied the subtle changes in the character's mindset. Playing such a seemingly simple role well isn't as easy as it looks."
"Moreover, after that movie, she's been continuously honing her craft and studying roles."
"At least in my eyes, she genuinely loves acting, and that's rare in Hollywood. I really do like her."
In a few words, Anson clearly expressed his thoughts.
Michel, who had been silent and seemingly sulking, suddenly brightened up. Like a rattlesnake in the desert, he looked at Anson with excitement.
"Yes!"
"Yes, exactly!"
"Charlie, I told you! Look, I told you a long time ago, Kate is an outstanding actress. You've all misunderstood her."
Charlie looked at Michel with an expression of utter resignation, his lips tightly sealed: Fine, you try then.
Clearing his throat, Michel finally mustered the courage to look Anson in the eye. "What about Nicole Kidman? What do you think of her?"
This time, Anson didn't answer right away.
Mentioning Kate Winslet had instinctively made him think of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and he had responded without much thought. But now, adding Nicole Kidman into the mix made things feel strange.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Anson's gaze shifted between Charlie and Michel.
"Did you come all the way to New York just to ask me to review actresses? What is this, a royal selection of concubines?"
Michel's face turned a little red with embarrassment. He mumbled something, unsure of what to say.
Charlie sighed deeply, and finally, the explanation came.
After some discussions and evaluations, Michel had officially settled on his ideal casting choice: Jim Carrey paired with Kate Winslet. It was an unusual combination, completely unexpected, but Michel believed that their odd pairing would create unique chemistry.
Of course, managing the actors and their dynamic would be a challenge, but Michel was mentally prepared for that.
Michel began negotiations with Focus Features.
Focus Features was leaning toward Anson, especially since he had agreed to lower production costs by taking a percentage of the profits. They were fully on board with Anson's involvement.
After all, a movie like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind wasn't meant to make a lot of money, and Focus Features was more about prestige and awards season positioning for Universal Pictures.
If Anson could help control the costs, Focus Features couldn't have been happier.
However, despite intense discussions, Michel and Focus Features couldn't reach an agreement. Just when it seemed like one problem had been solved, another emerged.
Focus Features had an issue with the female lead. They believed there was a better choice than Kate Winslet—
Nicole Kidman.
This drove Michel absolutely crazy.