Few actors that achieved fame years ago are as celebrated as Russell Crowe. Since the 1990’s, Crowe has become an icon. Whether it’s gladiators, mathematicians with disorders or police officers, Crowe has portrayed many characters. Given the great number of movies Crowe has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for greatest movies of an actor that deserves to be commemorated.
1. Gladiator
Gladiators are great figures that have shaped my grandfather’s identity. I remember bonding with a grandfather that took great interest in ancient Roman gladiators. He would love to embark on trips toward Cinema watching movies about gladiators in medieval era. Through interest in gladiators that experienced Roman era, my grandfather gave me lifelong love for Cinema. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that admired gladiators, I adored “Gladiator”. Released in 2000, Ridley Scott’s mesmerizing medieval epic captured ancient historical courageous Roman gladiators. Arguably, the main reason why the film is considered a classic today is because of Russell Crowe. In the greatest role of his career, Crowe embodies a gladiator seeking vengeance for the death of his family causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role to date. As Maximus, Crowe created one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to create strong characters through his powerful voice. For instance, the iconic “Are You Not Entertained?” scene in which Maximus delivers a rousing speech to people in the Colosseum is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gladiator” Russell Crowe’s greatest movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with ancient Roman history to appreciate it. 30 years after the release of a grand classic about Roman gladiators that changed the world forever, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that audiences treasure.
2. L.A. Confidential
One of the characteristics that defines Russell Crowe as an actor is his short temper. Since his career began years ago, Crowe has succeeded playing an angry hero. Crowe’s strength for playing angry characters that struggle to control emotions is clearly evident in his film “L.A. Confidential”. Released in 1997, Curtis Hanson’s Oscar-winning movie found the actor playing the role of an angry cop with a short temper. It’s a role that gave the actor opportunities to demonstrate strength for portraying angry characters through his presence. Whether he’s issuing orders at police officers or intimidating a woman, Crowe uses his voice to create a cop that’s compelling. For instance, the introduction scene in which Bud White is first introduced showcases Crowe’s strengths as an actor. It’s a testament to the strength of Crowe’s performance that he stands out in a star-studded cast. Ultimately, what makes “L.A. Confidential” one of Crowe’s greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a cautionary message about the consequences of crimes that would resonate with everyone. 30 years following the release of a classic film about commemorated cops keeping criminal activities confidential, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that thrives at playing temperamental characters with a short temper whose movies audiences consider extremely special.
3. Les Miserables
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway play on the big-screen. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always translate into movie magic. In order to make a successful adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to storytelling, music and characters of the show. For these reasons, it’s rare to come across effective stage adaptations. That being said, “Les Miserables” is an exception. Released in 2012, Russell Crowe’s movie did an extraordinary job of adapting a beloved stage musical on the big-screen. In the first musical role of his career, Russell Crowe embodies a strict police officer seeking a strong sense of justice. One of the challenges involved in making the movie is that actors were required to sing melodies live on set. Crowe proved to be up to this challenge by performing live singing. For instance, the “Look Down” musical number in which inspector Javier punishes slaves showcases the actor’s strengths. Ultimately, what makes “Les Miserables” an extraordinary musical is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the Broadway play to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about poverty which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking adaptation of a commemorated Broadway play that blew audiences away, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated actor that absolutely deserves to be celebrated today.
4. Cinderella Man
Poverty is a painful situation that has a negative impact on families. At an early age, I witnessed a lower-class housekeeper struggling to survive on minimum wage. I remember he was a housekeeper under intense pressure to provide for families in danger. Struggling to make ends meet, he couldn’t find ways to provide for his family living on streets. Few films I’ve seen have captured how poverty can destroy lives of families as powerfully as “Cinderella Man”. Released in 2005, Ron Howard’s movie told the true story of a boxer that overcame poverty achieving victories. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Russell Crowe transforms into a real-life boxer that carried a burden to bear. Not only did Crowe gain a muscular physique for the role, but he captures the broken soul of a boxer whose life spirals out of control. For instance, the scene where James Braddock begs for money on the streets showcases the actor’s strengths. Ultimately, what makes “Cinderella Man” stand out in Russell Crowe’s career is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about surviving poverty which would resonate with everyone. A riveting tribute towards a real-life boxer that achieved victories in the ring, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor that succeeds at playing historical figures whose movies are definitely worth absolutely celebrating.
5. A Beautiful Mind
Anxiety is a powerful emotion that has shaped my personality. As far as I remember, I have always been an anxious person. This anxiety started in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with the pressure, I faced a nervous breakdown. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the impact anxiety can have on a person’s mind as powerfully as “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Russell Crowe’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of depicting the mind of mathematician John Nash. In the most emotional role of his career, Crowe embodies the troubled mind of a mathematician that faced mental health struggles which were stressful. As John Nash, Crowe created a compelling portrait of a mathematician suffering from Schizophrenia. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase a vulnerable side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which John Nash has a nervous breakdown discovering that his roommate is simply a figment of his imagination is the most emotional work the actor has ever done. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” one of Russell Crowe’s greatest movies is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message about mental health that would resonate with everyone. A touching tribute towards a brilliant mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies have left a legacy undeniably behind.
6. 3:10 to Yuma
Over the past decade, the western genre has declined in popularity. Audiences no longer have interest in seeing good, bad and ugly cowboys embarking on unforgiven adventures across prairies. With their cartoonish characters, over-the-top action and lacklustre storytelling, I find westerns to be a chore to sit through. As someone that’s not a fan of the western genre, I was surprised by how much I loved “3:10 to Yuma”. Released in 2007, Russell Crowe’s modern western managed to breathe fresh life into a dying genre. In his first ever western role, Crowe embodies a gunslinger that’s driven to accomplish his goal. Crowe brings authority to one of his greatest roles. As powerful as the Yuma train, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to entertain whose movies audiences are eager to watch constantly again.
7. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Russell Crowe is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing leaders. With his larger-than-life presence, commanding voice and strong demeanour, Crowe has always thrived at playing a leader. Crowe’s strength for playing world-famous leaders with a strong character is clearly evident in his film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”. In the most heroic role of his career, Crowe embodies a courageous commander guiding ships to the far side of the world. It’s a role that gives the actor opportunities to showcase his powerful leadership presence. Crowe commands every scene he’s in as the commander of a ship. An awe-inspiring adaptation of a beloved book about courageous navy commanders showing strong leadership, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies audiences commonly worship.
8. The Insider
When it comes to the most controversial whistleblowers in history, it’s worth discussing Jeffrey Wigand. During the 1990’s, Wigand was a whistleblower seeking to expose the tobacco industry. Through his dedication, Wigand exposed corruption of an industry engaging in criminal action. In 1999, Russell Crowe did an exceptional job portraying the insider in his film “The Insider”. In the most solemn role of his career, Crowe embodies a whistleblower that exposed the tobacco industry without fear. Working alongside Al Pacino who is also excellent, Crowe embodies a whistleblower that sought to expose the industry of tobacco. 30 years after an insider exposed the industry of tobacco, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate whose memorable movies give audiences dreams to commonly follow.
9. American Gangster
Frank Lucas is a legendary gangster that built a lasting legacy in American history. During the 1970’s, Lucas was a notorious gangster that engaged in criminal activities. In 2001, Russell Crowe honoured the American gangster in his movie “American Gangster”. In the most conflicted role of his career, the actor portrayed a police sheriff seeking to apprehend a gangster causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Denzel Washington who is also amazing, Crowe created a commemorated gangster movie that’s engaging. As strong as Frank’s desire to become a successful gangster, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies throughout his impressive career which audiences commonly always treasure.
10. The Mummy
Russell Crowe hasn’t always made great movies that are special. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Mummy” falls into the latter category. Released in 2017, Alex Kurtzman’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a scientist seeking to investigate ancient mummies causing despair. Crowe brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a disastrous movie. Although “The Mummy” is a bad movie, it honoured Crowe’s enduring legacy. As powerful as the mummy, it’s a marvellous reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 