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The Movie

The original inspiration for the current Robin Hood was a clever mutation of the original premise. It focused on a rather sympathetic portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham, forced between enforcing unjust taxation and a man who is subverting the law. The Sheriff was sort of an early crime scene investigator. The Robin present in the original script was evidently more of the traditional outlaw. However, as such things usually go in the process of pre-production, the original script became compromised and the film ends up being much less innovative.

As stated by Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down,) this incarnation of Robin Hood is meant to be an introduction to the character - those events that caused him to become an outlaw. Everyone knows who he was as a legend, but how did he get to be what he was? It’s an interesting idea and it would’ve been nice to see that idea make it to the film. Instead we get a fairly interesting period action film with Robin Hood’s name stamped on it. With 46-year-old Russell Crowe in the role, it would seem quite silly to have Robin Hood start out at the age of 18. A very grizzled looking actor, Crowe looks every day of 46, which makes for a bit of a problem with respect to the period - 46 was a pretty advanced age in the 13th century (when the events of the story are set.) It’d be a bit strange to be starting a legendary career as an outlaw at the end of one’s life…so the film already has a bit going against it in the way of vitality.

To their credit, neither Crowe nor Scott look to preserve the title character’s youth. He’s an archer - a common solider (46-years-old and still a common soldier?) who gets caught-up in the politics of the age. There’s something of a mishmash of intrigue involving a knight being ordered to kill the king of England by the King of France - kind of a weaker, watered-down version of themes found in certain Shakespearian histories and tragedies. Really, the plot isn’t very compelling and not worth going into here as it has little direct relation to the original legends.

What is worth getting into is the overall depiction of the title character. Much has been made of Crowe’s suspiciously Irish-esque accent in the role (which prompted Crowe to storm out of one recent interview,) but arguing finer details feels kind of irrelevant next to what the script is asking of him here. Russell Crowe has proven in the past that he’s an accomplished actor who can competently deliver drama (on and off the screen) but here he’s not given a whole lot to do. The Robin Hood character here is rugged and aggressive. This is perfectly okay, but you could get the same kind of performance out of a nameless stunt performer, a particularly talented bulldog or a staggeringly talented side of beef. There’s no finesse here and the character lacks any substantial appeal.

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