I Come to Bury ...

Rating: 5/10 (26 June 2000)

I wanted to like GLADIATOR, I really did. My sister said it was a great movie, and I really wanted to please my sister. But I can't, you see, because GLADIATOR is not a great movie. In fact, GLADIATOR is not even a particularly good movie.
GLADIATOR is ineptly directed by Ridley Scott; no two ways about it. What else can explain keeping scenes in which the otherwise competent Russell Crowe lets his Australian accent slip through? What else Can explain allowing leading lady Connie Nielson sleepwalk through her performance for two thirds of the Movie? What else can explain carefully crafting a subplot involving a German Shepherd dog, then abruptly dropping it? The ineptitude goes on and on. The lack of chemistry between Crowe and Nielson is bad enough without further undercutting it with obtrusive, inappropriate music in early key scenes. High- and low-key cinematography is intermixed without any concern for dramatic appropriateness. It is almost as though Scott said, `Cloudy day? No problem, the audience won't notice.' And lets talk about this cinematography. Many of the low-key interiors with Joaqin Phoenix and Connie Nielson are so poorly lit, you cannot see Phoenix's eyes! Poor Phoenix, probably the least experienced of the leads, has the toughest role. Despite what you may hear, Phoenix does pretty well, despite Scott's undercutting. ACTION FANS BE WARNED. Scott shoots ALL the action scenes without benefit of long shot (for perspective) and with computer generated and slow-motion action. Think widescreen movie being shown in television (3:4) format. Expect to be more confused than entertained.
There IS plenty to like in GLADIATOR. The late Oliver Reed as the gladiator owner is magnificent. Richard Harris is very good as Marcus Aurelius. Djimon Hounsu, Derek Jacobi, David Schofield, Sven Ole-Thorsen and, especially, Spencer Treat Clark (Lucius) are all fine in supporting roles. Savor them if you must see GLADIATOR.