An Unique Opportunity for a Great Actor

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2000)

This is one of the best movies in recent memory. Not because it is "perfect" film by any means; it definitely has it's flaws. But it is worth the price of admission if only to see superb actors such as Russell Crowe, Jouquin Phoenix, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Derick Jacobi, etc. strut their stuff.
While many people who have been Russell Crowe fans for years will resent the fact that many are touting "Gladiator" as Russell Crowe's "breakthrough" role, fans long ago noticed there was something unique about this guy in such film as "Proof", "The Sum of Us", "Quick and the Dead", "L.A. Confidential" and "The Insider".
But in spite of the films flaws, Crowe fans will not be disappointed in "Gladiator" because they get a chance to see him carry the entire weight of a big budget film (he's in practically every scene) on his ample shoulders. As with Vivien Leigh in "Gone With the Wind", it is hard to imagine this film working without the presence of Russell Crowe.
He makes the most believable gladiator I have ever seen on film. I'm sorry, but as much as I loved "Sparticus", I never believed Kirk Douglas could be a real gladiator. He looked more like a gymnist; I never believed he could survive in the Coliseum.
But as good as the other actors in "Gladiator" are, and as good as the effects and fight sequences are, the plot and script could not have been as compelling with any other actor but Russell Crowe playing Maximus.

There is some unique quality about this guy (perhaps the strange mixture of violence and compassion in his face) that brings an absolutely unique contribution to this film. His acting covers the gaps in the script....mostly done with his facial and body expressions since he is rarely given quality lines to say. (Most of the lines in the film are a bit corny or cliched. It's a good thing they had this brilliant cast!)
For example, we are expected to believe that this man, Maximus, who is capable of the most excruciating violence, is at heart a tender hearted family man who simply wants to go home to his farm. It is left up to Mr. Crowe to make us believe this, and he rises to the occasion in spades.
Someone pointed out to me that Crowe does not speak one word of dialogue from the time that Maximus is sent out to be executed by Commodus to the time he is in the gladiator ring shouting, "Are you not entertained?" The fact that, throughout this long sequence (20-30 minutes) I never even noticed Maximus never spoke, is just proof of the unique abilities of Russell Crowe as an actor. This is one guy who could have easily been a silent movie star; something that can't be said for 95% of the actors around today.
As "Gone With the Wind" would have been just a so-so well made movie with nice production values without the presence of Vivien Leigh, so too would "Gladiator" have only been a so-so movie without the presence of Russell Crowe. But because of him, it becomes a symbol of brave people everywhere fighting everywhere against unbelievable odds. Let us hope, as with Vivien Leigh, that the Academy recognizes this unique talent and gives Mr. Crowe his best actor Oscar!