Versatility is Russell Crowe’s middle name. With an impressive repertoire of eclectic films in different genres, the Hollywood star has shown that no character is beyond his reach. From his Oscar winning turn in Gladiator, his moving performance in films like A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man, to the chilling psychotic stalker in Unhinged, Crowe has done the gamut of roles.
The New Zealand born star has also been on the wrong side of fame and success. In 2005, Crowe was slapped with a felony charge for physically assaulting a hotel clerk in the lobby. Ironically, it was his film Cinderella Man that helped the star curb his hot temper and understand the root cause of his tantrums.
Cinderella Man Helped Russell Crowe Become A Better Person
In 2005, Russell Crowe played the titular character in the biographical sports drama Cinderella Man, based on the inspirational journey of real life boxer James J. Braddock. The film received positive responses with Crowe being lauded for his powerful performance. But Cinderella Man did much more for the Oscar winner than merely getting him success. Crowe who was known to have a fiery temper, has been on the wrong side of the law a few times.
In a particular incident, the actor was charged with assaulting a hotel clerk by throwing a phone on his face and causing minor injury, due to his frustration with the paparazzi. While the felony charge was later changed to a misdemeanor after Crowe pled guilty, it did the actor’s reputation no good. Ironically, it was his physically challenging role as a boxer in Cinderella Man and the lessons he learnt in the film, that put things in perspective for the actor.
“I’m extremely sensitive, and that’s probably where some of my negative stuff comes from.If you take your anger into the boxing ring, you’re going to get beaten. You can have anger, but it’s not going to get you anywhere. You’ve got to be able to control it.”
Crowe went on to elaborate that the mental discipline he practiced in the Ron Howard directorial helped him to find an oasis of calm in his turbulent mind and allowed him to take an honest and objective look at his issues.
Russell Crowe Pushed His Body To The Limit For Cinderella Man
Russell Crowe has never been someone to back down from an acting challenge. In Cinderella Man, the Proof of Life star put his body through extreme rigor to play the role of a boxer. His strenuous regimen included working with the same coach who trained the great Mohammed Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. Recalling his experience with the coach while training for the role, Crowe said,
“He built in me the ability to keep going, to keep my head clear no matter how much punishment I was taking, and, you know, no matter how deep you’re dragging for a breath. And that’s the whole key to it. If you can keep your head clear, you can keep going forward.”
The Unhinged actor though, had to face the aftermath of such gruelling schedules. Crowe ended up dislocating his shoulder resulting in a serious injury just before the filming of Cinderella Man was to begin. While it seemed that the star may not be able to do the film, he rose above the odds with his determined mind winning over his battered body.
Source: Irish Examiner
