As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the vast expanse of Western cinema, I can confidently say that Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Wade in 3:10 to Yuma is nothing short of breathtaking. His ability to transform from an amiable charmer to a chilling antagonist is a testament to his unparalleled acting prowess.
After a highly successful year in 2024, award-winning actor Russell Crowe has lined up an impressive slate of seven upcoming movie and TV projects. While fans eagerly anticipate his portrayal of Nikolai Kravinoff in Marvel’s “Kraven the Hunter” set for release in December, it’s worth revisiting one of Crowe’s lesser-known movies that showcases one of his finest villainous performances. In 2007, Crowe shared the screen with Christian Bale in the riveting remake of the 1957 western “3:10 to Yuma,” which was acclaimed by critics under the direction of James Mangold.
Despite grossing over $70 million at the international box office and earning two Oscar nominations, 3:10 to Yuma remains one of the most overlooked movies in Crowe’s decorated filmography. Fortunately, the movie has recently been added to Netflix and has been outgunning the competition en route to the top of the most-watched movie charts in the U.S. For those looking for an unheralded Russell Crowe movie that showcases his acting range ahead of his next Marvel movie, catching 3:10 to Yuma on Netflix is a safe bet.
What Is 3:10 to Yuma About?
Following the 1953 short story “Three-Ten to Yuma” penned by renowned crime novelist Elmore Leonard, I found myself immersed in the American Western action film titled “3:10 to Yuma”. Directed by James Mangold, this movie was filmed on location throughout New Mexico. The narrative unfolds in 1884 Arizona. As a Civil War veteran named Dan Stevens who has struggled financially after losing a leg during battle, I found myself at odds with bank owner Glen Hollander (Lennie Lofton). With my home burned and no way to repay him, I was forced to flee along with my two sons in search of our scattered cattle.
During his investigation, Dan stumbles upon Ben Wade (Crowe), an alluring yet ruthless outlaw who heads a band of thieves. Initially, Wade considers Dan harmless, given that he’s a family man. However, Wade stages a robbery on a stagecoach in front of Dan and his son William (Logan Lerman). Despite being a morally-upright individual, Dan rescues one of the robbery victims, Byron McElroy (the legendary Peter Fonda), which gradually turns him against Wade and his criminal associates.
In the movie, when Wade gets arrested for robbing a stagecoach, the authorities devise a plan to move him from Bisbee to Yuma, Arizona by train. The title of the film signifies the departure time of this train. Accompanying Wade on this journey are Dan, Doc Potter (played by Alan Tudyk), and Tucker (Kevin Durand). However, their trip is disrupted when Charlie Prince, a ruthlessly violent associate of Wade’s, attacks the train ambush-style. While this occurs, Wade manages to get rid of Tucker and push Byron off the train, leaving Dan with the responsibility of shielding his son and ensuring that Wade is delivered to the Yuma jail.
The movie’s climax deviates from typical storytelling by presenting a surprising conclusion, moving Bale and Crowe further towards a potential dramatic confrontation on the big screen without giving away the emotional twist at the end.
Russell Crowe’s Villainous Performance Deserves Praise
Despite Christian Bale’s heroic role in “3:10 to Yuma”, it’s Russell Crowe’s captivating portrayal of the sinister gang leader Ben Wade that truly steals the show. Known for his roles as morally upright protagonists, earning him numerous Oscar-worthy performances in films like “L.A. Confidential”, “Gladiator”, “The Insider”, “A Beautiful Mind”, and “Cinderella Man”, Crowe gets a chance to display a new facet of his acting prowess in “3:10 to Yuma”. This film marks his first significant foray into playing a villain since his roles in “Romper Stomper” (1992) and “Virtuosity” (1995).
However, the distinction lies in the intricate mannerisms that Crowe gives Wade in the movie “3:10 to Yuma“. Initially, Wade appears as a kind, amiable, and well-dressed individual, with a pleasant demeanor and inviting smile that exudes trustworthiness and is hard to dislike. Indeed, it’s a deceitful facade intended to mislead his adversaries, something Dan finds himself falling for frequently at the start.
As Dan continues to watch Wade’s cunning social maneuvers, he finds himself learning how to counter them effectively. In contrast to Ben Foster’s portrayal of the brutal stereotype often found in Western films, Crowe brings to life a complex and intelligent character in Wade, showcasing a level of intellectual depth seldom seen in an actor playing a villainous role. The intricate layers of Crowe’s performance make him an ideal adversary for Bale’s Dan Stevens. While Bale exudes tension with clenched teeth and grumbles, Crowe exudes evil with an air of casual calmness and contemptuous condescension. If a Western film is only as captivating as its antagonist, then Crowe demonstrates why *3:10 to Yuma* should be on everyone’s list of must-see cinematic journeys.
Why 3:10 to Yuma Deserves More Attention
As a movie critic, I must confess that while 2007’s “3:10 to Yuma” was warmly received by critics and even garnered two Oscar nominations, its true worth seems to have been overlooked over the years. For one, this western film, with an estimated production cost of around $55 million, unfortunately didn’t recoup its budget in North America, managing only $53 million at the box office. It wasn’t until the movie garnered an additional $17 million overseas that it could be considered a financial success, eventually grossing $71 million worldwide.
Although the domestic figures for the film aren’t exceptionally high, given that it was directed by James Mangold following his success with Walk the Line and featured stars like Christian Bale after his role as Batman and Russell Crowe post-Cinderella Man, one might anticipate larger audiences. However, there is an additional factor to consider. In 2007, Crowe co-starred with Denzel Washington in American Gangster, a critically acclaimed crime biopic directed by Ridley Scott. This film significantly outperformed 3:10 to Yuma, financially speaking, at the box office. Released two months earlier in September 2007, American Gangster opened theatrically on November 2, 2007, earning approximately $270 million internationally (according to Box Office Mojo). Domestically, American Gangster earned more than twice as much as 3:10 to Yuma.
Approximately two months following the release of “3:10 to Yuma” in cinemas, many filmgoers overlooked the underappreciated western when Crowe graced the silver screen again portraying the real-life rogue cop Richie Roberts. One reason why “3:10 to Yuma” remains undervalued is due to comparisons with the 1957 version. It’s plausible that admirers of the original may have skipped the 2007 remake out of resentment, considering it a reboot of the beloved Glenn Ford classic. Nevertheless, “3:10 to Yuma” is now receiving the recognition it deserves on Netflix. Despite the challenge of stealing the spotlight from Christian Bale, Russell Crowe manages to do so with an impressive performance that demonstrates his ability to convincingly portray a villain with the same intensity as his heroic characters.
3:10 to Yuma is available to stream on Netflix.
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2024-09-11 23:01