Russell Crowe
At the 77th Academy Awards, host Chris Rock went into a tirade, explaining that studios shouldn’t rush into productions until the time is right. He cited the decision to get Colin Farrell to play Alexander the Great instead of Russell Crowe. Well, Crowe’s fortunes have faded since he starred in back-to-back Best Picture winners and he is not as in demand as he once was. His vocals (or lack thereof) in Les Misérables continue to be mocked mercilessly, while performances both dull (Man of Steel) and dumb (Winter’s Tale) have led to poor reviews.
Regardless, even with those misses, Crowe still has a terrific track record in a variety of roles. Many instantly think of the gutsy gladiator Maximus upon hearing his name. Others look back at his gripping turn as Jeffrey Wigand in The Insider or as the noble Jim Braddock in Cinderella Man as career highlights. He also plays a good villain, as 3:10 to Yuma demonstrated.
An accomplished actor who brings gravitas and grit to many of his performances, Crowe has what it takes to be a bona-fide action star. Since several of his dramatic turns have faltered recently, perhaps it’s time for the New Zealander to use some of his rough-and-tumble charm to his advantage. We have seen him deliver passionate speeches (Gladiator), wrestle with his beliefs (Noah) and play tough, tormented cops (L.A. Confidential). If he can give the same power and panache to playing a grouchy, growling action hero, perhaps he can re-energize his career and get a generation of new fans.
