8) Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe is one dude whose acting style is as weird and sometimes off-putting as is his public persona, and yet it’s incredibly effective when used smartly, usually when paired with a skilled director. His most famous off-screen moment occurred in 2005 when he was arrested in New York City and charged with second-degree assault for an altercation with a hotel concierge over placing a phone call. He threw the phone at him, as an adult does when things don’t work for them, right? He has been a part of other incidents as well, giving him the reputation of having a pretty nasty temper, even for an Australian.
This makes it all the more puzzling just how restrained Crowe is as an actor. Many people criticize him for being too understated in his performances. His most recent efforts in Les Misérables were the subject of plenty of mockery, particularly for his singing, but the more I think about his take on Javert, I think he may have got it right, even if it may not have fit perfectly with the tone of the other players.
It’s easy to forget how many terrific performances we’ve seen from him too, but since 1999 there’s been The Insider, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander, Cinderella Man, American Gangster, The Next Three Days, and he’s set to star in Darren Aronofsky’s Noah. I also like that he takes risks in projects like The Man with the Iron Fists. It’s pretty impressive—almost enough to make you forget what he’s like as a person. Almost.
