I can't think of another contemporary actor who has played such diverse rolls and who can become the character he's playing (Johhny Depp's up there along with Tom Hanks). Whether or not you like him personally he deserved that oscar over Denzel. It was an outrage. I happen to like Denzel, but the acting in those two movies did not compare.

I was watching T.V the other day and I saw this really weird movie. It reminded me of a video game and a story kind of like the Matrix. The movie was called Virtuosity and man that movie is violent. Funny though because it's 'old' violence and totally fake, but it featured Denzel and Crow as the two main characters. Just thought I'd comment

Bopo, you can edit your posts in the bottom right corner. But why did you put your exact post as if you were responding to it as a different post? whatever. Now with Russel Crowe, he is one of my favorite actors. I liked him in gladiator, master and commander and others. But to say hes GREAT I cant do. I havent seen him play totally different roles as you say, even though his characters are different his roles seems similar. I really like him as an actor but I dont think he is one of the very best out there.

I agree that he is one of the most diverse actors around today. I thought he was amazing in Life is Beautiful and Gladiator. But I think some of his other movies have been mediocre at best.

I thought "Romper stomper" was one of the most couragous performances I'd seen, but since then I feel it's been down hill for Mr. Crowe. I liked "Vurtuosity" very much, but I think that crowes decline began here. The feaux mid-Atlantic accent that he has been using since then is most off-putting, and I agree that although his roles have been diverse, he basicly plays the same charecter in each of these roles. Yeah , he looks great, but sounds like crap.

Bopo, how funny of you to mention the Denzel scandal, because I happen to agree. Its one of the unmentioned scandals in history, and obviously done for one reason: race. I happen to like Denzel as well, and I like Russel Crowe, but by going with Crowe, I think that it could've been considered a scandal by many for the same reason by the black community: racism. Denzels performance wasn't far behind Crowe's so it seems the easiest choice was to put Denzel ahead and allow this to fly. Or at least thats my take on it... (I am by no means racist, just to clear things up)

In my oppinion Russel Crowe is the best actor of our time. Whenever he brings out a movie you can be sure it is going to be a hit. He won't waste his time with crap movies. And you can tell he takes the time to research each character he plays, so he can get him just right. I have yet to see one bad performance by him.
Johnny Depp has had some pretty good performances too. But he's also had some pretty bad ones.

First off, I don't like Russell Crowe as a person based on the much published media reports. I also had a problem with Gladiator (2000) and Crowe feeling that Traffic (2000) and Tom Hanks for his brilliant, solo performance in Castaway should have been awarded best picture, best actor.

With that said, I've re-examined my memories of some of Mr. Crowe's works in:

Virtuosity (1995) where he played an evil digitized villian with a nasty sharp, psychopathic dispassion.

The Insider (1999) where he played a conflicted and tortured scientist on the inside of the major cigarette scandel of the century.

Proof of Life (2000) where he played a mercenary/hostage negotiator.

A Beautiful Mind (2001) where he played a genius wracked with delusions.

Master and Commander (2003) where he played commander of military sailing vessal.

In his relatively brief career, he has amassed a credible amount of film time with solid performances. Yet, I can't say at this point that he's my favorite actor or best/greatest actor of today.

I still think that other actors have or have the potential to provide equally compelling performances: Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, John Cusack, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey, Jr., Ralph Fiennes, Lawrence Fishburne, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey.

Wow, a discussion of Russell Crowe and no mention of L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, the film that made him a star. LAC is one of my all time favorite films and Crowe was flat out terrific as a brutish detective.

And I remember him in PROOF, an Australian film he co-starred in in the early 90's, but he didn't really register with me. I remember ROMPER STOMPER, but don't remember Crowe. LA CONFIDENTIAL was the film that put him on the map for me.

I understand that he was Ridley Scott's first choice for the role Orlando Bloom played in KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Reportedly, Crowe's dancecard was full and Scott didn't want to wait for Crowe, a move, in restrospect, Scott probably should have taken since one of KOH's big problems was Bloom's performance.

It will be interesting to see if CINDERALLA MAN is an aberration or a trend regarding Crowe at the box office. I liked the film, but it tanked among moviegoers.

contrary to popular belief, cinderella man wasn't russell crowe's biggest hit in 2005, it was the telephone he threw at that hotel clerk, ha ha.

But seriously, I liked beautiful mind and gladiator a lot, plus I went on the ship from master and commander, which was pretty cool.

Boy, it looks like Russell stubbed his toe once again with A GOOD YEAR. I am a big fan of Ridley Scott and like Crowe, but I stayed away, like everyone else did, of this turkey. It came and went in about a New York minute.

My favorite Russell roles, ranked (I will specify the movie rather than the role, because it's easier):

1. Cinderella Man (a brilliant, understated performance)

2. A Beautiful Mind (probably his best performance, but it's my #2)

3. The Insider (you actually forget it's Russell Crowe)

4. Master & Commander...(terrific adventure movie, featuring several funny, poignant scenes)

5. Gladiator (solid acting)

6. A Good Year (A very good stab at Cary Grant)

Russel Crow is excellent. He becomes whatever character he plays and you forget it's him. He was wonderful from The Insiderder,in A Beautiful Mind and beyond.