Thump.
Thump.
Gloria could clearly hear the heavy thumping of her heart against her chest, slow yet powerful, calm but surging, as if she could feel every pulse vividly, her blood seething and splashing with intensity.
In those eyes, she saw vulnerability but also resolve; she saw Peter's quiet dedication to Mary Jane and his second growth amidst chaos and turmoil.
The first growth came with Uncle Ben's death.
The second came with Aunt May's injury and Mary Jane's inadvertent encouragement.
At the start of the movie, that shy, timid boy was gradually becoming a towering figure, not just because of his superpowers but because he finally understood the weight of responsibility that came with them, facing that burden with courage.
At this moment, a single glance made the blood boil.
Robert: "Unexpected! Beautiful, but unexpected."
It was astonishing how this indirect confession scene played such a pivotal role. What was initially just Peter's romantic confession, a moment found in many teen or romantic films, was enriched and deepened by the nuanced performance, expanding the film's depth and breadth.
The beauty referred to both the character arc and the actor's interpretation.
Unexpected though it was, this scene elevated the film to a new level, providing more interpretive space for both teen and superhero genres. Peter Parker's character became richer and more three-dimensional.
Curiously, Robert wondered how the third act would unfold, especially how Peter's character arc would conclude.
Of course, Hollywood popcorn movies often end on a high note, and "Spider-Man" would likely be no exception. But the intriguing part was Robert's anticipation of how Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire would handle it.
The entire theater buzzed with excitement.
This scene was not just seen by the audience in the cinema; it was also witnessed by Harry, who came to visit.
As Harry pushed the door open, he saw Mary Jane holding Peter's fingertips, her eyes shining. Although Peter did not reciprocate, merely gazing at Mary Jane, it was enough.
Moreover, as soon as Harry entered, the two quickly withdrew their hands, looking guilty. Mary Jane even avoided his gaze, while Peter looked up and greeted him but couldn't continue the conversation.
It was all too clear, wasn't it?
Harry left, dejected, heading back to the mansion—
Not to his and Peter's apartment, but to his father's grand estate.
Harry confessed his mistakes to his father, acknowledging that his judgment about Mary Jane was correct; Mary Jane loved Peter.
However, Norman's attention was not on Harry. He zeroed in on the key point, "Does he love her?"
Harry replied, "He's had a crush on her since fourth grade."
Harry knew all along that Peter had feelings for Mary Jane, yet he continued to pursue her and flaunt himself in front of Peter.
Standing there, Harry appeared soulfully lost.
Norman finally noticed Harry, apologized, and hugged him. Harry clung to his father with all his might, savoring this moment of warmth. He had long yearned for his father's attention, and now, he finally received it.
Yet, the warmth was fleeting, and Harry and Norman's expressions diverged into different worlds.
When Aunt May awoke, she advised Peter to seize the opportunity, knowing Peter's feelings for Mary Jane, encouraging him to be brave.
Peter, motivated, finally gathered the courage to call Mary Jane.
But he was too late.
The Green Goblin had already kidnapped Mary Jane.
When Mary Jane came to, she found herself in pajamas on a bridge, with the Green Goblin flying around in his glider.
Nearby, a cable car was filled with children, who had become the Green Goblin's hostages, all part of his plan.
The Green Goblin began destroying the bridge, drawing Spider-Man into the scene, and severed the cable car's cables, waiting high above for Spider-Man's arrival, looking down on the world.
"Spider-Man, this is why only a fool would choose to be a superhero."
"Because you never know when some lunatic will present you with a cruel dilemma: letting your beloved die or letting innocent children die?"
In his left hand, Mary Jane. In his right, the cable car.
The Green Goblin posed the ultimate version of the train dilemma.
"Make your choice, Spider-Man. Being a hero comes with a cost."
Peter froze, even though his face was hidden behind the mask, his body and voice revealed the desperate struggle.
"Don't do this, Green Goblin!"
It was both a reprimand and a plea.
But the Green Goblin was beyond sanity, and the more he saw Peter's struggle, the more exhilarated he became, releasing his grip and sealing the fate of the innocents.
Peter was paralyzed—
His eyes could clearly see the scenes on either side: the cable car on the left, Mary Jane on the right, both being pulled down by gravity.
In an instant, the entire theater was stunned.
Among the premiere audience were some familiar with the comics, who had come for their love of "Spider-Man." This scene made their hearts sink:
In the original comic, Peter Parker's first love was Gwen Stacy. Later, Peter and Gwen broke up because of Mary Jane.
In 1973, in comic issue #121, the Green Goblin forced Spider-Man to choose between the cable car and Gwen. Spider-Man chose to save the cable car and used his web to grab Gwen's leg, but the immense inertia from the fall snapped Gwen's neck.
This became one of the darkest and most despairing pages in Spider-Man's story, "The Death of Gwen Stacy."
Originally, comic fans felt mixed emotions about the film choosing Mary Jane over Gwen as the main character, partly because Gwen was not the focus and partly relieved not to see Gwen's death.
However—
The plot twist brought this scene back!
It was easy to predict that the film's release would spark protests from comic fans, accusing the film of mishandling the script and grafting Gwen's storyline onto Mary Jane.
Wasn't Sam Raimi a comic fan?
Damn!
At this moment, the mind was blank, completely unable to think, as the dark notion of "Gwen's Death" tightened its grip on the heart:
Breathless.
The theater was silent.
Regardless of whether they were comic fans or not, even those unaware of "Gwen's Death" could see the peril of the train dilemma—
What should Peter choose?
The air seemed to freeze, forgetting to breathe.
Then—
Peter moved.