Film Junk Poll: What is the Best Russell Crowe Film?
With the recent revelation that Russell Crowe may star in Darren Aronofsky’s Noah, it’s a reminder that even though he isn’t the box office force he used to be, Crowe may still have some great performances left in him. Whether or not you think he is past his prime, you have to admit that he has worked with some great directors over the years and starred in some solid movies that will not soon be forgotten. But when push comes to shove, which one is the best? Do you prefer his blockbuster action roles or his more subtle dramatic roles? His Ridley Scott films or his Ron Howard films? Cast your vote in this week’s poll and then sound off in the comments below.
Comments (24)
Close call for Gladiator, Master and Commander and American Gangster for me
Posted by rob on March 1st, 2012Well Gladiator is great and all but Master and Commander is one of my favorite films of 2000s so my vote goes there.
Posted by Joghurt on March 1st, 2012Gladiator’s leading? Really? I have to assume most people here didn’t see The Insider or L.A. Confidential, because those are the best films he’s starred in.
Posted by Brendan on March 1st, 2012Master and Commander is a PERFECT film in every aspect. His best performance is Insider
Posted by rus in chicago on March 1st, 2012None of the above.
State of Play
Posted by bugsyoz on March 1st, 2012I vote for his TV series, Fightin’ Around the World with Russell Crowe.
Posted by Ren on March 1st, 2012The Insider all the way.
Posted by Glendon on March 1st, 2012The NExt Three Days
Posted by Scott on March 1st, 2012its such a shame that Cinderella Man didnt get the attention and respect it deserves, i have seen EVERY SINGLE Russel Crowe movie since “the quick and the dead” (1995)at least several times each and can honestly say that his portrayal of irish boxer james braddock is one of his finest, he deserved an oscar nom!!!! right behind gladiator and the insider, i even would put “a beautiful mind” and “master and commander” behind cinderella man
Posted by josh on March 2nd, 2012Master and Commander. Goddamn I love that film. WISH it had had sequels.
Posted by mushroomyakuza on March 2nd, 2012L.A. Confidential is the best film that he was in, but I don’t necessarily think that it was a Russell Crowe movie so much as just a movie he was in. It was an ensemble cast and would have been a great movie without him. So I think you have to distinguish L.A.C. with a true Crowe vehicle like Gladiator. In that case I think I would rank Gladiator highest, with Master and Commander and a Beautiful Mind behind that. The Insider and Cinderella Man are probably up there, but I did not see those movies.
Posted by Maopheus on March 2nd, 2012Best film he’s been in: LA Confidential
Posted by James on March 2nd, 2012Best performance by him: The Insider
I love that you put Virtuosity on there. Its astounding how awful it is, and his performance is just bonkers. It’s like Russell Crowe doing Nic Cage
Posted by bullet3 on March 2nd, 2012A Beautiful Mind is the worst film.
I don’t mean it’s the worst film on this list, I mean The Beautiful Mind is the worst film.
Posted by DavidM on March 2nd, 2012Best movie: L A Confidential
Posted by HanneN on March 3rd, 2012best performance: Cinderella Man
Where’s the love for Mystery, Alaska?
Posted by MovieViewerMan on March 3rd, 2012His top three are easily: Gladiator, Master and Commander and then 3:10 to Yuma.
Romper Stomper was pretty good as well if memory serves.
Posted by patrik on March 3rd, 2012LA Confidential for me, though Master And Commander comes a close second. I’ve not yet seen The Insider so I’d better pull my finger out an watch it.
Posted by Scuvs on March 4th, 2012Also a shout out to his short but fantastic stint on the Australian soap ‘Neighbours’ alongside a certain Guy Pearce.
Crowe’s performance in The Insider is so full of nuances of a man under intense stress displaying clenched emotion. For a long time it was the only film of his that I really liked at all.
Posted by mason on March 5th, 2012Hmmm the view that Crowe is somehow ,”past his prime,” is an opinion,not a fact. I certainly don’t see that at all. Crowe isn’t an American actor like Pitt or Clooney or Damon. Now those guys are just okay hardly great actors.Whereas Crowe is a powerhouse actor as we’ve seen in all the movies you’ve listed.Actually it was hard to choose just one role,as I also like him in Cinderella Man, 3:10 to Yuma, Master and Commander and L.A.Confidential.He is the actor you notice first and stay with. Good grief doesn’t Hollywood value talent and experience anymore?
Posted by jepressman on March 5th, 2012I think best performance and best movie are two different things. Owning almost all of these films I would say the one I watch over and over is LA Confidential. Now when people ask me what my favorite Russell movie is I always say A Beautiful Mind. When people say something stupid like they don’t like him I tell them to watch Sum of Us, then Romper Stomper and then the Insider and tell me he is not one of the greatest actors of all time.
Posted by amberishere on March 5th, 2012the above remark about RC not being in his prime anymore must be deaf, dumb and blind..sorry whatever man goes to such length to be the best in each roll he plays.
He doesn’t do the stuff the other Hollywoodys do just to have a picture.
He is by far the best actor now and always and is respected by all for his true ideals.
Love him and his work.
Posted by Pegbarbato on March 6th, 20121. The Insider
2. Master and Commander
3. LA Confidential
4. Romper Stomper
In that order. He’s made some popular films that were mediocre (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, perhaps American Gangster), but most of his films are dogs. He is no longer choosing challenging roles, playing the kind of parts that push him in the way the four films I ranked have pushed him. I fear he is turning into Orson Welles, someone with great talent who failed to thrive.
Posted by Uber B on March 7th, 2012Uber B asserts that Crowe has made some mediocre films like Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind ,both films won Best Picture Oscars. Crowe has won an Oscar for Gladiator and has received three Oscar best actor nominations.He has also received for these so-called mediocre acting performances , a Bafta,a Sag,Golden Globe nominations and other acknowledgements from various organizations.Currently Crowe is filming Les Miserables,playing Javert. This is indeed a challenging role and no doubt he will do well with the part.Singing is necessary.I do believe that is called challenging yourself.
Posted by jepressman on March 9th, 2012Leave a Reply