Gladiator

One of my most favorite movies is the 2000 movie "Gladiator" with Russell Crowe. The New Zealand born Australian actor deservedly got international attention with his role as the Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, and the Academy Award for Best actor, and another ten further nominations for best actor, and Broadcast Film Critics Association award for Best Actor, an Empire Award for Best Actor and a London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor. The movie speaks to me because Maximus deals with betrayal and spends all his energy and courage to avenge his murdered family. He is reduced to a slave who ultimately ends up as a popular gladiator able to use his skills as a general to survive and help his fellow gladiators survive in the arena in Rome. His ability to hang on to his dignity in the face of excruciating humiliations is very moving. As an immigrant and new American citizen since 1994, there have been times when the assumptions people make about me are were humiliating, and even after 36 years here, the first 10 as a college and graduate student, there are still times I miss being able to share the nuances of my own native language, Flemish, since there is no one left to share it with, other than one or two people long distance over the phone. There are songs, and books and comedians, and anecdotes I remember form my childhood, and no one to share those with. In many ways I am invisible, and even though the circumstances of Maximus in "Gladiator" are extreme, I am always deeply moved when watching this movie. Russell Crowe does a brilliant job of drawing us into the loneliness of his character, as he struggles to hang on to the love he felt for his wife and son, and tries to survive long enough to avenge their horrific murders. The loss of family is a very specific sorrow, and in my case it was not murder, but terrible illnesses, suicide, despair, intrigue and brutal betrayal that wiped out my family that should have stood together in this country, but instead turned to ashes. The genuine emotions Russell Crowe is able to produce in the face of tragic loss are so heartfelt, so real I feel his heart beat in mine each time I watch the film. He makes a connection to the audience that goes far beyond artistic ability and superb acting skills, he brings Maximus into your own psyche, you become him, you suffer and triumph with him. As he dies, and sees memories of his wife and son, you love them with him, and part of you dies with him. It is the most amazing transcendence, that leaves you breathless. We all have a warrior inside of us, and "Gladiator" makes sure we do not forget that courage and determination is there and that we can access it when we need to.