Even with AA's big influence, the divorce drama stirred up a storm they couldn't dodge.
On January 8th, at the National Board of Review Awards, Gwyneth Paltrow snagged Best Actress for *Shakespeare in Love*.
Then, on January 13th, the Critics' Choice Awards rolled around, and Cate Blanchett took home the Best Actress trophy for *Elizabeth*.
By January 20th, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Gwyneth Paltrow won Best Actress *again*.
Finally, January 24th hit—the Golden Globes, the night everyone's been waiting for.
Dunn, who'd been off the radar for a while, showed up.
He and Nicole Kidman strolled in together, totally unbothered, all smiles and charm.
"Dunn! Nicole! Are you two dating?!"
The Golden Globes were live on B, and with the two of them side by side, the reporter had to ask the question on every American's mind.
Nicole burst out laughing—her smile outshining the starry night sky and the fancy chandeliers in the Hilton ballroom.
Dunn grinned. "Lately, Nicole's name and mine keep popping up in the papers. If you didn't know better, you'd think we'd already locked down the Golden Globes!"
The reporter chuckled. "No explanation, huh?"
Nicole jumped in. "Nothing to explain! If you're innocent, it shows. Dunn and I are besties—we've had an awesome time working together. I mean, everyone knows *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* is my best performance ever. I owe Dunn a huge thanks for that. And, well, I'm sorry for any mess my personal stuff has caused him."
Dunn shook his head, playing it serious. "No need for that, Nicole—we're friends. I'm really sorry about her divorce from Tom, but that's their private business. I just hope fans and viewers focus on their work, not their personal lives."
Then Dunn's eyes lit up—he spotted an Asian face in the crowd.
John Woo!
No date on his arm, just rocking a classic black suit with a blue tie, all warm and friendly, signing autographs for fans.
This Asian director was on fire—last year, he won Best Director at the Saturn Awards. No Golden Globe noms this time, though, so he was probably there to present.
Dunn sneaked over, barely holding back a laugh. John Woo was *so* extra—taking half a minute per autograph! First "John Woo" in English, then "Wu Yusen" in Chinese underneath.
Finally done, John looked up, saw Dunn's grin, froze for a sec, then stuck out his hand with a big smile. "Hey, Director Walker!"
Dunn laughed, skipped the handshake, and went straight for a bear hug.
That familiar yellow skin? Instant connection.
"Director Walker, Tom already talked to me—thanks so much," John said, looking at this guy twenty years younger with a mix of awe and emotion.
"Mr. Woo, you're way too polite!" Dunn gestured inside as they walked. "I'm your number-one fan—love your action style!"
John smiled modestly. "Heh, after *Face/Off*, I got a ton of offers. But either the budget was too small or the script sucked. Didn't like any of 'em. *Mission: Impossible* though? That's a good one."
And he wasn't kidding.
*Face/Off* was a monster hit—John Woo was at the top of his game in Hollywood!
Right now, only five big-shot commercial directors in Hollywood have final cut privileges, and John's one of them. Something even Dunn Walker can't pull off!
Even with *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace* in post-production, George Lucas kept Dunn out of most of it—especially the effects stuff. Didn't trust a newbie like him.
Dunn only got final cut on *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* because he funded it himself. As the investor and producer, it was his call.
Other projects? No chance.
But John Woo, just a few years in Hollywood, had already pulled off this insane feat. You've gotta hand it to him!
If that doesn't scream status, check out the other four with final cut: Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, George Lucas, Roland Emmerich.
Of course, some artsy master directors don't count—they scoff at blockbuster stuff.
Dunn Walker, a "white skin, yellow heart" kinda guy, had mad respect for John Woo. "I heard *Face/Off* was originally a sci-fi flick?"
That hit John's pride just right, and he lit up. "Yeah, when I first got the script, it was totally sci-fi."
"So how'd it turn into an action movie about two families?"
John explained, "It's the East-West culture gap. In the East, family's everything—parents, kids, everyone loves their home and would do anything for it. But in America? Family vibes are weak. Some kids move out and rent places at sixteen or seventeen. That's rough."
Nicole Kidman slipped in like a ninja, her sharp eyes gleaming. "So… you used the movie to focus on family, softening the action with that human touch?"
John nodded at her with a smile. "Exactly. Hollywood movies and Hong Kong films are worlds apart. Hollywood's all about strict genres—action's action, romance is romance, dramas get artsy. But Hong Kong? They mix it all up in one movie."
Dunn nodded thoughtfully. "Blending family and action—that's what made *Face/Off* a hit. Mr. Woo, you nailed it!"
"But… did the producers actually go for that?"
Nicole couldn't wrap her head around an Asian director calling the shots like that.
John shrugged humbly. "I got lucky. On *Broken Arrow*, Sam Raimi fought for my final cut. And with *Face/Off*, Paramount's chairwoman, Sherry Lansing, had my back. She wouldn't let anyone meddle—everything went my way. That's how I swapped out Schwarzenegger and Stallone for Nicolas Cage and John Travolta."
Nicole's face twitched. "Wow, that *is* lucky."
Dunn laughed. "Luck's part of the game! Mr. Woo, I'm betting *Mission: Impossible 2* is gonna be even bigger."
After they split up, Nicole sighed softly. "He's such a humble guy."
"Yeah," Dunn said, full of feeling. "He's… he's the pride of Asians."
Ang Lee made it big in Hollywood by playing their game, but John Woo brought Hong Kong cinema's soul to chase his dream.
He's hauling a whole new movie culture over here.
Sure, it's fresh and curious now, but long-term? Hollywood's machine won't bend for a niche like Hong Kong style—it'll fade out eventually.
…
The Golden Globes gala kicked off.
No shocker—Nicole Kidman didn't win.
In the Musical/Comedy Best Actress category, Gwyneth Paltrow beat out Nicole, Cameron Diaz, Meg Ryan, and others to grab the trophy.
For Drama Best Actress, Hollywood newbie Cate Blanchett topped Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, and other heavy hitters to take the crown.
What started as a "three-way queen fight" flipped fast after a few words from Tom Cruise. Suddenly, it was just Cate vs. Gwyneth.
No surprise then—Nicole's pretty much out of the running for the Oscars in a month.
At least Dunn lost Best Director to Spielberg for *Saving Private Ryan* and Best Picture to *Shakespeare in Love*. That softened the blow for Nicole.
"Trust me, I'll get you that Best Actress throne!" Dunn whispered, hand over his mouth, dead serious.
Nicole smiled faintly and shook her head. "Dunn, you don't have to. Honestly… ever since *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* blew up overseas, I've never doubted you."
"So tonight…"
"What about Naomi?"
"Nicole, you're adorable!"
Dunn laughed it off just as John Woo hit the stage to present Best Screenplay.
"And the winner for Best Screenplay is—Nia Vardalos, *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*!"
"Woohoo!"
The *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* crew, quiet all night, finally erupted in cheers.
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