Eye-catching

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 2000)

I have seen Glad twice in 24 hours. After the second viewing, I think I put my finger on the why the film falls short. It is clear that Ridley Scott's forte is the scene with big sets and hundreds of extras. They were, by far, the most fun moments of the film. By contrast any of the dialogue-driven or one-on-one character scenes felt uncomfortable and forced.

The script also falls short because there is no equally brooding and compelling character to challenge Russell Crowe. The most we get is an emperor who we find out is scared to be alone in the dark (Oh Dear!!) This is extremely weak characterization especially with Derek Jacobi whose presence reminds us, from the I Claudius series, how wicked and tyrannical a Roman emperor can be.