I gushed!

Rating: 10/10 (11 December 2000)

Wow! What a movie! I was expecting to see something that maybe didn't deliver what it had been hyped up to be, but it did, in so many ways. The story line was great, the sets and scenery were astounding and the acting was magnificent. But, for me, it was Joaquin Phoenix who stole the show. I had previously been a fan of his after seeing Inventing the Abbotts, Return to Paradise and 8mm, but he truly shone in this as the EVIL emperor. Russell Crowe was brilliant and portrayed Maximus very well. If this film does not win Best Film at the Oscars, I'll eat my hat!