by Linda Holmes

Remember when Julia Roberts was about to show up in Duplicity? Remember how we discussed the discussion of whether she was "Hollywood ancient," and how she may have lost her ability to open a movie as a result of her extraordinarily advanced age of 41?

Duplicity went on to earn roughly $14 million in its opening weekend. Explanations abounded, as did discussions of whether Roberts should conclude that she is thoroughly washed up, or whether there was any hope that she might recover.

This weekend, the Russell Crowe vehicle State of Play earned roughly $14 million in its opening weekend (even with help from the whew-he's-under-40 Ben Affleck), and was well and thoroughly spanked by 17 Again, a body-swapping comedy starring Zac Efron. This despite, according to Variety, "a hefty payout for Crowe."

This can mean only one thing: At 45, Russell Crowe is too old to make movies. Particularly after the so-so performance of Body of Lies, doesn't this prove that Russell Crowe is "Hollywood ancient"?

The conversations we are surely about to see, after the jump...

Surely, we will now see widespread discussion of whether Crowe's day has passed (and perhaps even Ben Affleck's). Surely, we will now hear about how Crowe is well into his 40s, and his last two adult thrillers have underperformed.

Surely, we will now go over the details of his appearance and how it has changed, and the "Is Russell Crowe all washed up?" articles will follow. These are clearly not the days of Gladiator and Master and Commander. What has happened to Russell Crowe?

Is there hope? Should those who have invested money to see him in next year's Robin Hood be concerned? After all, he will be even older then.

I anxiously await these discussions, and if they don't occur, it will make for a curious question of why not.

categories: Movies

11:47 - April 20, 2009

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