Gladiator
Year: | 2000 |
Studio: | Dreamworks SKG |
Director: | Ridley Scott |
Writer: | John Logan |
Cast: | Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, Connie Neilsen, Richard Harris, Djimon Honsou |
It culminated in the titanic Academy plaudits rained down on Titanic, and seemed to signify their intentions; we're here, we like the same movies you do!
There was something about Ridley Scott's return to the cinema of the golden age epic I just didn't get. Yes it was well done, yes it was enjoyable, but Best Picture material? I think they just ran out of stuff to vote for.
It was the story of a Roman General (Crowe, in the role that marked his arrival on the world stage) cast out of the inner circle of military/political affairs who becomes a gladiator and works his way up to avenging the murder of his wife and son by the jealous and paranoid new emperor (Phoenix).
A good story - yes, great effects and staging - yes, good action and passable scripting - yes. But Best Picture? Maybe Russ threatened to throw phones at everyone who didn't vote for it.