The Crossing

Life in the '60s but this time as experienced in a small Australian town in the middle of nowhere. The story isn't new - Sam comes back to the town he left and the girl he left behind,Meg, now seeing his best friend Johnny. But the way it is filmed with unusual shots, great atmosphere and soundtrack and excellent performances all round make it a real treat. Russell plays Johnny who cracks up when he thinks his girlfriend is leaving him, with tragic consequences. You can easily see how this performance put him well on the track to playing Hando, Cort, Bud White and Maximus.

When I read that this was Russell Crowe's big break, I wasn't sure what to expect, and I was a bit apprehensive since I'd never heard of it before. Although I wasn't just bowled over, I was pleasantly surprised. For a movie made in 1990, it has the teen or twentysomething-angsty feel of those old black-and-white potboilers you would see at the drive-in from American International, or RKO Radio Pictures. The soundtrack and accurately dressed period settings help enhance the feel even more effectively.

Prodigal son Sam (the achingly handsome Robert Mammone) returns home to the small Aussie town where he grew up, where he's welcomed home like a hero, and the glowing embers of the romance he had with best girl Meg (Danielle Spencer, now Mrs. Russell Crowe), threaten to reignite into a roaring bonfire once again.

But, as in all dramas of this genre, there are complications. The one in this story is Johnny (Russell Crowe), the emotionally scarred best bud who stayed behind to console Meg, and whom the heartbroken girl took up with. The stage is set for tragedy to occur, and it comes to that sad conclusion with predictable timing, as all three members of this ill-fated love triangle must make their own "crossing" into a world where love, honor and being true to one's self always comes with consequences; sometimes the kind that we least expect, or desire.

Mammone and Spencer are great and fresh-faced in their archetypal roles, but the person you can't take your eyes off of is Russell. Like Brando, Beatty and Dean before him, he owns, even channels the electrifying and emotional role of Johnny, and yet he pulls it off in a unique way that doesn't come across as a cheap imitation of any of the aforementioned actors. He gives the kind of performance that not only makes you sit up and take notice, but hope that you'll be able to see him again in bigger and better roles that will equal his expansive talents. Fortunately for him and us, that's exactly what happened.

THE CROSSING is worth checking out, for those interested in tracking the path of how, literally, a star was born.

This good Australian film is a combination of elements from PICNIC & REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE . Russell Crowe in his first starring role is a stand out & you are able to see the beginning seeds of the great actor he is today. Robert Mannone (whatever happened to him) also is a standout.

\ we have seen this story many times before. I do recommend it for all of Russell's fans. It also has a great music score, a good *** rating from me

as always

Jay Harris

This one sort of snuck up on me. I wasn't expecting anything except to see an embryonic Russell Crowe learning to act, but, hey, he already knew how in this, his first leading role. He was utterly believable -- and touching -- as the potential loser in a love triangle. Both of the other leads were very fine also. The photography wasn't as intense as I would have liked --[some of the scenes look a bit washed out] -- but other than that, it is a fine little film.

I disagree with the previous reviewer about the quality of the film's photography. I think it is excellent. Evocative. And very expressive. I am impressed with the sharpness and vibrant colors of the images on screen.

The direction is intelligent and sensitive. And then, of course, there is the excellent acting from everyone. I didn't expect much from Russsell Crowe at this point in his early career but he sure knows how to make love with the camera and display a range of emotions that will soon make him a big star. A big poseur some would hastily add, but that is another story to CROWE about.