Russel Crowe Can Do No Wrong

Rating: 8/10 (9 November 2007)

I just came back from a Friday screening of this film. Despite the large Canadian audience's propensity to just sit there and not react to anything that was on the screen, what kept going through my mind were comparisons to "The French Connection" and "Heat"- as good as the former, and way better than the latter.
I then began to think about how the script and direction dance around the developing, but separate, lives of the two protagonists. Yes, Denzel's character is a protagonist in this film. Both he and Crowe inhabit different worlds with a high degree of relative moral integrity suitable for each.
When the two characters finally meet up in the end, it is a much more satisfying series of scenes than what Michael Mann did with Pachino and DeNiro. Both appear to have a grudging admiration for each other, as they work together to bring down a common nemesis.
Because Crowe has to share equal billing with Washington, his character is much more 'everyman' than others he has played. I'm not sure I like the understatement, because at times he comes across, believe it or not, as somewhat bland. But a bland Crowe is still better than any other actor on the planet, including Denzel.
I was again impressed with Scott's direction, even though I think he is over-rated as a director: imitative and derivative (think 'Connection' again, especially with the gritty scenes of NYC and Jersey, and the muted, grey palette of colours). Assuming Ridley had 'final cut', he has put together a well-paced, eminently watchable film.
But for Crowe fans, "Yuma" is the better of his two films this year. But thanks for the Xmas present anyway Rus- I'll see anything you put out! I appreciate the humility in sharing the screen with Denzel, but I much prefer you as the focus of the piece, but that's just me.