The Crossing

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.

The film is highly engaging and presently vastly underrated. It effectively portrays the trauma of potential heterosexual love rejection. The acting is superb with believable characters. Johnny (youthful Russell Crowe) was entirely believable: a lovelorn and sympathetic youth at the same time displaying toughness and aggression. Sam's (Robert Mammone) character was of an artistically gifted but independent soul that realised it needed some root which could not be truly found in hometown or family. Lovelly Meg (Danielle Spencer) had been girlfriend firstly of Sam and subsequently of Johnny; had felt rejected by Sam's past departure and needed healing. She found herself in great difficulty in choosing between her two suitors and needed time to do so. Events also transpired to resolve these problems for an ultimately stable outcome. This outcome was tragic but also the only resolution to the otherwise unresolvable tensions arising from this heterosexual love triangle.

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.

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.

The movie itself is pretty lightweight and a little dated. Could have easily been a Natalie Wood vehicle in the 50's, with Troy Donahue and John Saxon as the guys.

However, we do get a small taste of what Russell Crowe will be bringing to the screen. A nice mixture of emotional intensity and good looks and more than a little talent.

His current significant other, Danielle Spencer, is also very good. Very understated when she should be but quite hysterical, also when she should be.

Can't say there were any surprises. Plot is very basic. Boy and girl are happy together. He has a resentment of his father who died a hero. She is being kept under lock & key in some ways as well. Enter her ex-boyfriend. Throw in some car races, and like I said, where's Natalie?

I don't want to sound like its not enjoyable, but if it hadn't been for Russell, I might never have taken a look.