15 best films with Russell Crowe

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This versatile actor is equally good in action films and dramas.

A manly appearance made Russell Crowe a hero of action films and epic films. However, a look with a mischievous spark and a pleasant smile allow the actor to transform into both a charming villain and an awkward simpleton.

In the eighties, he managed to flicker on the Australian rock scene, and then turned to TV shows and movies. True, the future actor quit his studies at the Institute of Dramatic Art. But now it is obvious that even without training he has enough talent.

1. Skins

• Australia, 1992.
• Action, drama, crime.
• Duration: 94 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

In a neo-Nazi group terrorizing the Vietnamese residents of Melbourne, a love story suddenly breaks out. Two skinhead friends, Hando and Davey, begin to have feelings for the strange girl Gabrielle, who hates her father and suffers from epileptic seizures. But in a cruel world, even love leads to tragedy.

After participating in several TV shows and films, Russell Crowe got his first major role. To do this, he had to shave his head. Actually, originally Ben Mendelssohn was supposed to play in the film, but he turned out to be too cute without hair. Crowe, on the other hand, looked rather stern.

During the filming, Russell Crowe and his partners on the set decided to check how believable they look in the image of skinheads and went for a walk in Melbourne. Everyone believed - even the police, who soon arrested them.

2. Secrets of Los Angeles

• USA, 1996.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 138 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

In the early fifties, three Los Angeles police officers try to sort out a convoluted chain of murders. The investigation leads them to a network of call girls blackmailing officials. And then it turns out that the police themselves are involved.

Having moved to American screens, Crowe quickly found himself in excellent company. In "The Fast and the Dead" he played alongside Sharon Stone and Leonardo DiCaprio, and not in the most successful "Virtuosity" - with Denzel Washington.

In Los Angeles Secrets, he and fellow rookie Guy Pearce ended up alongside Kevin Spacey and Kim Basinger. And they managed not to get lost against the background of experienced actors.

3. Your own person

• USA, 1999.
• Biography, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 157 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

Jeffrey Wygand worked for a large tobacco company in a very high-paying job. But one day he decided to publish data on the number of deaths caused by smoking. The hit TV show producer Lowell Bergman interviewed him exclusively, and soon both faced very tough pressure attempts.

This story is based on real events. And according to the real Jeffrey Wygand, all events were conveyed absolutely accurately, changing only a couple of names. Russell Crowe, who played this role on the screen, has received nominations for almost every major film award, including the Oscar and Golden Globe.

4. Gladiator

• USA, UK, 2000.
• Drama, peplum, action.
• Duration: 155 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

General Maximus was the greatest military leader of the Roman Empire. But the betrayal of the new emperor Commodus deprived him of his family and name. Now Maximus fights in the arena as a simple gladiator. He uses all his military experience and strength to one day face a longtime enemy and restore justice.

By inviting Russell Crowe to star in his epic painting, director Ridley Scott was right. The combination of masculinity and emotionality allowed the actor to very vividly reveal the image of Maximus. As a result, Crowe earned BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations and received a well-deserved Oscar.

5. Mind games

• USA, 2001.
• Biography, drama.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

John Nash showed an aptitude for mathematics from his youth. He became a university professor and married one of his students. Soon he was approached by a CIA secret agent with a request to help in the search for encrypted messages in open sources. But then it turned out that in reality the situation is completely different.

Another iconic role for Russell Crowe, based on a true story. Real mathematician, Nobel laureate John Nash was still alive at the time of filming. The actor again managed to completely reincarnate in his character, playing a man who does not see the line between reality and fiction.

He was again nominated for an Oscar, but this time the award went to Denzel Washington for Training Day. But the Golden Globe went to Crowe.

6. Master of the Seas: at the End of the Earth

• USA, 2003.
• Action, adventure, drama.
• Duration: 138 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

In 1805, the captain of the British warship "Surprise" Jack Aubrey receives an order. He must find and destroy the ship of the French fleet, which is sure to turn the tide of the war. In the battle, the Surprise takes significant damage. However, Aubrey decides to pursue the enemy, and the pursuit continues across the two oceans.

This time, Crowe had to play a man from the beginning of the 19th century - a character in the series of novels by Patrick O'Brian. However, in the role of Aubrey, he looked completely organic. Despite the rather modest collection, the picture was praised by critics, and at the Oscars it received 10 nominations.

7. Knockdown

• USA, 2005.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 144 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

After several defeats, heavyweight boxer Jim Braddock is forced to take any job in order to somehow provide for his family. But fate gives him another chance to return to the ring. And Braddock becomes the new "Cinderella", breaking through the queues for free food to the heights of boxing Olympus.

Russell Crowe prepared very seriously for the adaptation of the biography of the famous boxer. The actor has lost weight and brought himself into great physical shape. And in the ring he had to act with real athletes. Those, of course, tried to stop the blows without touching the opponent's body, but this was not always possible. And as a result, Crowe received a concussion during filming and lost a couple of teeth.

8. Train to Yuma

• USA, 2007.
• Action, western.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Civil War veteran Dan Evans helps a group of lawyers transport the arrested Ben Wade, whose gang has terrorized the neighborhood. But soon the criminal's accomplices begin to hunt for a small group of escorts.

The main role in this film went to Christian Bale, and Crowe played the villain Wade. And thanks to the talent of the actor, the image turned out to be very ambiguous: the hero either looks like a real embodiment of evil, or seems to be a quite pleasant person with his own morality.

9. Gangster

• USA, 2007.
• Biography, drama, crime.
• Duration: 157 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

After the death of his boss, the driver of crime boss Frank Lucas uses his wits and past connections to start his own business - supplying heroin from Vietnam. He soon becomes the king of the underworld. Meanwhile, one of the few honest police officers Richie Roberts goes on his trail.

The next joint work of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe was not received with such enthusiasm as "Gladitor". But still, the story of the confrontation between an intelligent criminal and an honest policeman turned out to be successful. In the duet of Denzel Washington and Crowe, both characters look interesting, and the plot does not divide the world into black and white, showing all the facets and complexities of life. And again, it is based on a real biography.

10. The body of lies

• USA, 2008.
• Action, drama.
• Duration: 128 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Roger Ferris serves in US National Intelligence. He finds terrorists all over the world and prevents dangerous events. He is constantly monitored by CIA veteran Ed Hoffman via satellite. Wanting to catch the dangerous terrorist leader, Ferris comes up with a risky plan. But suddenly it turns out that the authorities can play their game behind his back.

Once again, Ridley Scott works with Russell Crowe. And the actor has already met Leonardo DiCaprio on the set of the movie "The Fast and the Dead". But this time he played the chief of the protagonist. A person for whom his own goals are more important than the safety of his subordinates. Unfortunately, this film was not very popular at the box office.

11. Big game

• USA, 2009.
• Drama, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 127 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Journalist Cal McCaffrey investigates the mysterious murder of a petty criminal. And he soon discovers that the death of the assistant secretary of his longtime friend, Congressman Collins, is connected with this case. At his request, McCaffrey begins to understand the entire chain and realizes that not only personal relationships are involved, but also a lot of money.

According to the original idea, the main roles in the film were to be played by Fight Club partners Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. But they both left the project, and then they were replaced by Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck. Interestingly, Crowe even discussed the role in the new film with director Ridley Scott, whom he trusted very much. And he approved the project. However, the film at the box office went almost unnoticed.

12. Three days to escape

• USA, 2010.
• Crime, drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

John and Lara lived quietly and happily. But when his wife was arrested on charges of murdering the boss, the husband had to make every effort to prove her innocence. However, this did not help either. And then John decided to develop an escape plan for his wife. But there are only three days left to complete it.

Despite the star-studded cast (alongside Russell Crowe, Liam Neeson and Elizabeth Banks played here), the film received a cool reception. But over time, he gained a lot of fans. At least here it is worth appreciating the well-twisted plot and acting. Crowe perfectly combines the image of a loving husband with the behavior of a determined "tough guy."

13. Les Miserables

• USA, 2012.
• Drama, musical.
• Duration: 158 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the former convict Jean Valjean was hiding from justice for years. All this time, the inspector of the Parisian police Javert is looking for him. After the death of the only woman close to him, Fantine, Valjean decides to make every effort to make her daughter Cosette happy.

The classic epic of Victor Hugo was repeatedly transferred to the screens, but this time it was turned into a musical. The main role was played by Hugh Jackman, and Russell Crowe got the image of Inspector Javert. And in "Les Miserables" you can appreciate the good vocal abilities of the actor.

14. Noah

• USA, 2014.
• Drama, peplum, fantasy, disaster.
• Duration: 138 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 8.

The epic canvas tells the biblical story of the Flood. God chooses the righteous Noah to build an ark with his family, collect a couple of all the animals and preserve life on Earth after the destruction of all sinners.

According to rumors, Darren Aronofsky, planning his most ambitious project, wanted to invite Christian Bale or Michael Fassbender to the main role, but both actors refused. Although now it is difficult to imagine that any of them could look as impressive in the image of a biblical hero as Russell Crowe.

The film was received ambiguously, but the actor personally tweeted the Pope several times, asking if he had watched Noah. As a result, the pontiff invited Russell Crowe to an audience and blessed the film.

15. Nice Guys

• USA, 2016.
• Action, comedy, crime.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

A rude hired security guard Jackson Healy broke the arm of the intelligent private detective Holland March. But soon they come to work in pairs: together they are investigating the case of the missing girl. And as a result, the partners unexpectedly come out on a large-scale conspiracy.

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in this film revealed one hundred percent. And director Shane Black is great at coming up with stories about partners: he was once glorified by the script for Lethal Weapon. Therefore, there was enough room for cool showdowns and for a witty comedy.