Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen in the Ridley Scott movie ‘Gladiator’

The historical drama Gladiator (2000) as directed by Ridley Scott turns 23 this year. The film centers on power, revenge and conflicts when those interests intersect with the will to choose the course of your life and the future of your own family. The power dynamics in this Roman period piece are to be reckoned with as well.

(From left, Richard Harris (prone) as Marcus Aurelius, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus and Connie Nielsen as Lucilla in the Ridley Scott movie Gladiator).

The movie begins with a profound declaration of succession planning in leadership of the Roman empire. Marcus Aurelius, as portrayed by Richard Harris, confides to Maximus Decimus Meridius on the completion of a successful military conquest that he, Aurelius, would like to see the empire ruled by Maximus and the Roman senate upon his death.

(From left, Oliver Reed as Antonius Proximo and Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Ridley Scott movie Gladiator).

Learning of this fact, Commodus takes the news poorly, first hinting his profound disappointment to his recently widowed older sister, Lucilla. Acting rashly, amorally, cruelly and counter to the rationale of his father and emperor, Commodus murders Marcus Aurelius, kills the wife and child of Maximus at their home, and sets a trap to further end the life of Maximum Decimus Meridius. Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen portrayed Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commodus and Lucilla, respectively.

(From left, Ralf Moeller as Hagen, Djimon Hounsou as Juba and Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Ridley Scott movie Gladiator).

Framed with the betrayal of his emperor, his country and his family, Maximus escapes death and rides home to find and bury his family. Stumbled upon by a slave traders, Maximus is captured and sold to gladiator trainer Antonius Proximo, as portrayed by Oliver Reed. It is in the throes of that training and competitions in local tournaments that Hagen and Juba, fellow gladiators, form a friendship with Maximus Decimus Meridius as three of the elite gladiators. Djimon Hounsou and Ralf Moeller portray Juba and Hagen, respectively.

(From left, Sven-Ole Thorsen as Tigris of Gaul, Tommy Flanagan as Cicero and Spencer Treat Clark as Lucius Verus in the Ridley Scott movie Gladiator).

With Commodus claiming the role of emperor following his killing of his father, a series of games for 150 days to commemorate his dead father brings the gladiators entrusted to Antonius Proximo to Rome. A fierce competition against Tigris of Gaul, as portrayed by Sven-Ole Thorsen, brings interesting conflict between not just these two, or a group of tigers, but further against Commodus, Maximus’ loyalty to Marcus Aurelius, and the opinion of the Roman people. The plot that follows including Lucius Verus, the nephew of Commodus through Lucilla, Cicero and the gladiators gives much depth to the gladiatorial games in addition to the larger meaning of family, loyalty and the degree of corruption people will accept in government. Spencer Treat Clark and Tommy Flanagan portrayed Lucius Verus and Cicero, respectively.

(From left, actor Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott during a break in filming for the Ridley Scott movie Gladiator).

The tale presented in Gladiator includes a modern storytelling approach with an approach to sets, clothing and cinematography that were truly top notch. While the storyline itself appears to raise a storyline with fictional characters to drive an underlying truth of a time period for the present day, the conflict and framing of eternal questions of corruption versus honor struck a really strong bell on multiple levels. I recommend this movie, granting Gladiator as directed by Ridley Scott 4.0-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, January 21, 2023

Hercule Poirot, Kenneth Branagh, and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’

When it comes to detective novels and murder mysteries, Agatha Christie is perhaps best known for her detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. The first movie edition of Murder on the Orient Express (1974) was received warmly by critics and audiences alike. The recent remake, Murder on the Orient Express (2017), received less warmth from critics and audiences.

(Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot)

Kenneth Branagh directed and starred as Hercule Poirot in the 2017 rendition of Murder on the Orient Express. A star-studded cast joined Branagh, including Michelle Pfeiffer as Caroline Hubbard, Judi Dench as Princess Dragomiroff, Willem Dafoe as Gerhard Hardman, Penelope Cruz as Pilar Estravados, and Johnny Depp as Edward Ratchett. Many others joined in the story.

(Michelle Pfiefer as Caroline Hubbard)

This version of the movie maintains the larger framework of the book written by Agatha Christie while looking to bring in a contemporary moralizing and sensibility from a book written in 1934. If written today, the more likely means of locomotion would be an ocean cruise at sea for 2-3 days or a transcontinental flight meant to be in the air for a good long time with delays built in.

(Judi Dench as Princess Dragomiroff)

The movie begins as an extravagant train ride through Europe that, on the surface is a vacation for Hercule Poirot and the guests alike. The keen detective that is Poirot has his antenna up from the beginning when, quickly into the tale, the suspense and thrills of murder, clues, and detection begin.

(WIllem Dafoe as Gerhard Hardman)

Everyone seemingly has a motive for murder. The really baffling quality of the mystery here is that one lead after another after another leads to apparent dead end. The clear culprit defies the straightforward explanation that one would expect. Is the murderer Caroline Hubbard or Princess Dragomiroff? Might it have been Gerhard Hardman or Pilar Estravados? Many have plausible motives for murder, though not one of these suspects lends themselves to a satisfactory answer to the question who committed the murder?

(Penelope Cruz as Pilar Estravados)

My goal here is to give you a sense of the suspense. The discovery of the answer is one that I recommend you determine through reading the book or watching one of the movies.

(Johnny Depp as Edward Ratchett)

The critics consensus for this version of this movie, as shared on Rotten Tomatoes, is this:

“Stylish production and an all-star ensemble keep this Murder on the Orient Express from running off the rails, even if it never quite builds up to its classic predecessor’s illustrious head of steam.”

The critics consensus for the 1974 version, from Rotten Tomatoes, is more generous:

“Murder, intrigue, and a star-studded cast make this stylish production of Murder on the Orient Express one of the best Agatha Christie adaptations to see the silver screen.”

I personally enjoyed the 2017 version of the movie. That there were clues to unravel, multiple folks whose guilt was in question, and the underlying cleverness of an Agatha Christie murder mystery to outsmart were all there. For the very astute watcher, the solution to the crime is detectable. Regardless of the above stated critical reception, this basic quality was present in the movie.

The new Murder on the Orient Express is worth a stream through Amazon Prime, HBO, or any other service of choice. Rent a copy from the library if you must. I’ve read the book. I am interested to see the 1974 version all the more for the glowing review above. My recommendation is to choose your path and immerse yourself in the mystery.

Matt – Monday, September 17, 2018