The director Russell Crowe called “one of the greatest filmmakers ever to exist”
Although he may not be a hot commodity these days, Russell Crowe has spent more than 50 years as an actor, so he knows a thing or two about what it takes to achieve longevity.
Making his first appearance in a 1972 episode of Australian TV series Spyforce, it would be another two decades before Crowe landed the breakthrough role that helped propel him to stardom, and it would be almost another decade after that before he finally cracked the A-list.
1992’s Romper Stomper was a ferocious showcase for his distinct brand of rugged charisma, which was on full display once again when he made his Hollywood bow in Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead. L.A Confidential was another leg-up on the ladder before his Academy Award-nominated performance in Michael Mann’s The Insider brought him to greater heights than ever before.
Playing the lead in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator and winning the Oscar for ‘Best Actor’ made him a household name, but it never felt as though Crowe was cut out to be a conventional leading man. Whether it was his decision or one made by his representatives, he was regularly shoehorned into roles that didn’t make the most of his talents.
He earned three consecutive ‘Best Actor’ nominations between 1999 and 2001 but none since. These days, he’s more likely to be found lending support in blockbusters and headlining B-tier thrillers than leading the line in a major production, but at least he appears to be having fun. He’s worked with some stellar filmmakers during the many ups and downs he’s experienced, even if there was only one he singled out as an all-timer.
There’s probably a touch of bias to be found, considering that not only did the aforementioned Gladiator strap the proverbial rocket to his back, but he reunited with director Scott again on A Good Year, American Gangster, Body of Lies, and Robin Hood. Then again, he’s also the guy responsible for Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, and The Martian, to name but a few, so it’s hardly a left-field opinion.
Scott is renowned for his visual artistry, technical proficiency, and no-bullshit approach to his profession that ensures he can bring even the largest productions in on time, on schedule, and on budget, which is the mark of someone who knows their day job inside out. “He’s one of the greatest filmmakers to ever exist” was Crowe’s succinct assessment to Eye for Film, acknowledging that he’d never turn down anything the director offered him.
“For some reason, he likes the way I do my part of the gig and keeps wanting me to be on a film with him,” he said. “He keeps asking me, so I’m going to keep saying yes.” Unfortunately, he hasn’t been asked in a while for such a willingly enthusiastic participant.
It’s been almost 15 years since Crowe and Scott worked together, but they’ll remain forever linked if the actor’s growing weariness at being constantly bombarded with Gladiator II questions is any indication.
