As people in the VIP lounge gradually left for the theater, the crowd thinned until only Matthew and Spike Lee remained.
During this time, Matthew noticed Paul Walker giving him a concerned look. Matthew shook his head, signaling that everything was fine.
After all, Spike Lee was just a director, not a tiger or a beast.
"Director Lee," Matthew addressed him directly, having read some news about Spike Lee over the past couple of years, "Is there something you need to talk to me about?"
Spike Lee carried himself with an air of authority, appearing more imposing than Spielberg or Eastwood. However, his tone remained relatively polite, "Matthew, are you interested in pursuing Sophia?"
Matthew didn't deny it, "Ms. Coppola is very attractive and talented. Which man wouldn't be drawn to her?"
Hearing this, Spike Lee sized up Matthew's superior looks and physique, thinking about his reputation as a playboy and his own plans. His tone became increasingly firm, "You should stay out of my personal matters!"
Matthew raised an eyebrow slightly. The tone was unpleasant, but he didn't show it. He casually replied, "Director Lee, I'm not interested in your personal matters."
"That's good."
Spike Lee, noticing Matthew's seemingly soft tone, assumed a superior stance, much like he might on set with his lead actor, "I trust you're a man who knows how to act sensibly."
Matthew chuckled, unsure if he was being advised or warned.
Sophia Coppola was crucial to Spike Lee's next steps. He prided himself on being a high-art director, unlike the typical Hollywood stars. The idea of someone openly admitting their interest in pursuing his ex-wife made him uncomfortable.
This subtle change in attitude crept into his words.
Spike Lee adjusted his glasses, his gaze fixing on Matthew's chiseled face. "There are some things you'd be wise to heed."
Matthew smiled and shook his head, ignoring Spike Lee's vaguely threatening words. From his perspective, Spike Lee was becoming a bit overbearing.
At this level, Matthew avoided unnecessary conflicts but feared no one.
Spike Lee seemed ready to say more, but Matthew raised a hand to cut him off, speaking first, "Let's end this here. Director Lee, there's no need for us to continue this conversation."
With that, he turned and prepared to head into the theater to watch "Flags of Our Fathers."
"Wait a minute." Spike Lee could tell that Matthew hadn't taken his words seriously. Initially, he hadn't been sure, but now it seemed clear that Matthew indeed had an interest in Sophia Coppola. He repeated with more force, "Matthew, I'm telling you again: stay out of my personal matters!"
Matthew stopped and turned back, speaking earnestly, "I'll repeat myself too. Director Lee, I'm not interested in your personal matters."
He reiterated his previous words but with a much firmer tone. After giving Spike Lee a long look, he added, "If I heard correctly earlier, Sophia said you're divorced."
Spike Lee's expression remained unchanged as he stared at Matthew, "We'll be getting back together soon."
Matthew shrugged, "Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Sophia clearly doesn't want to talk to you."
"What happens between Sophia and me," Spike Lee's tone grew even more forceful, fully embodying the authoritative air of a director, "is none of an outsider's business."
His face darkened slightly, "Do you think I don't know what kind of person you are?"
"What kind of person am I?" Matthew replied lightly, self-deprecatingly, "A playboy, a bad guy..."
He spread his hands, "I don't care, and neither do the people I'm involved with. Have you ever heard any woman I've dated speak ill of me after we broke up?"
Spike Lee opened his mouth but couldn't find a response. Indeed, neither major nor minor newspapers had reported any woman saying anything negative about Matthew after their breakup.
Matthew sighed and turned to leave again.
"You're just using them!" Spike Lee crossed his arms, convinced he had uncovered the truth behind Matthew's relationships, "Using those naive women to climb the ladder."
"Using them?" Matthew stopped once more.
Wasn't it the other way around? Or perhaps it was mutual benefit. Would Hollywood's women and models easily fall for him if there were no advantages? Just because he was good-looking? There were plenty of people in Hollywood with better looks than him.
Matthew regarded Spike Lee, wondering if some directors looked down on actors.
But why was this renowned director so obsessed with Sophia Coppola? Did she haunt his dreams? That was a stretch.
It only took Matthew a few seconds to piece it together. He intentionally provoked, "Using women to climb the ladder? Director Lee, do you think everyone is like you?"
Spike Lee's face darkened. Matthew continued, not holding back, "Why did you marry Sophia? Was it for her, or because she's a Coppola?"
Hearing this, Spike Lee's expression soured.
Matthew's understanding deepened. Estimating there was truth in his words, he went on, "You married Sophia and enjoyed the tangible and intangible benefits from the Coppola family, quickly advancing your directing career. You became a famous director and decided you no longer needed the Coppola's influence, so you divorced Sophia. Later, you realized that without the Coppola family's protection, your career's pace slowed, and now you want to win her back to leverage their power again."
Spike Lee could no longer contain himself, "You… nonsense!"
His retort had a hint of guilt, as some of Matthew's accusations hit close to the truth.
Matthew had been guessing based on common scenarios in Hollywood. Given Spike Lee's reaction, he knew he had struck a nerve.
"Director Lee, you know better than I do if it's nonsense." Matthew adopted Helen Herman's calm tone, "Admit it, you're just someone who used connections to get ahead."
A thought struck Matthew as he recalled reading about Spike Lee's film earlier in the year, which had received good reviews. Now, it was clear he wanted to reconcile with Sophia Coppola. Considering his previous guesses...
Perhaps Spike Lee wasn't as virtuous as he pretended to be. Matthew applied his own reasoning and said, "Do you really want to get back with Sophia? I doubt it. Director Lee, you're known for your artistic style. If I'm not mistaken, you had a well-received film released this year. With the awards season coming up in a month, if the Coppola family could support you, you'd likely have a great run during the awards season, wouldn't you?"
"You..." Spike Lee's face displayed uncontrollable surprise.
Matthew continued, "So, you're ultimately just a director who climbed up using connections."
After this, Matthew turned and headed for the theater entrance, ignoring Spike Lee.
This time, Spike Lee stood there, staring at Matthew's retreating back without calling out.
Entering the theater, Matthew followed an usher to his seat. Most guests sat in the first two rows behind the front row. When he found his seat, he noticed that Sophia Coppola was just one seat away from him, sitting next to Kirsten Dunst.
"Could we switch seats, Ms. Dunst?" Matthew asked Kirsten Dunst softly.
Kirsten Dunst glanced at Matthew, smiled, then turned to say something to Sophia Coppola before turning back to Matthew, "No problem."
She switched seats with Matthew and gave Sophia Coppola a discreet wink.
Being part of the industry, some things didn't need to be hidden too much.
Sophia Coppola initially felt indifferent towards Matthew, but after their brief conversation, her impression of him had improved significantly.
"What did Spike Lee say to you?" Sophia Coppola asked quietly.
Matthew had just settled in and adjusted his seat, "Nothing much, just a casual chat."
Sophia Coppola leaned slightly closer to Matthew and whispered, "Whatever he said, don't take it too seriously. He's very calculating. I misjudged him back then."
Matthew didn't press for details about the past. It was one thing for Sophia to bring it up voluntarily, but probing into something she clearly regretted would only be off-putting.
He shifted the topic to the film, "I read in the papers this morning that 'Flags of Our Fathers' has a companion piece?"
Sophia Coppola nodded, "Yes, Clint is also shooting a film depicting the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective. Most of the footage overlaps, but it's told from a different angle. It's called 'Letters from Iwo Jima,' I believe."
Matthew nodded lightly, "I see."
He hadn't seen either of these films before. As the movie began, Sophia Coppola stopped talking, and Matthew focused intently on the screen. Clint Eastwood, though an actor originally, was now a top-tier director in Hollywood.
Balancing acting and directing to such an extent was rare. Clint Eastwood's career could be divided into two parts: the first focused on acting, the second on directing.
During the screening, Matthew and Sophia Coppola exchanged quiet comments. After the initial awkwardness, they found a comfortable rapport.
Sophia Coppola, with her experience, was more direct in her expression.
As they left the theater together, Sophia suddenly invited, "I mentioned having tea with you earlier. Do you have time now?"
Given Matthew's typical style, there was no way he could refuse.
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