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Robin Hood opens Cannes
Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood” opened the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, but it was definitely a hobbled kickoff.
Director Scott didn’t show up, because he recently underwent knee replacement surgery and is still recuperating. A statement was read on his behalf, expressing his regrets.
But stars Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett met the press after a Wednesday morning screening. Crowe was eloquent and game, explaining why this “Robin Hood” was different from all the previous versions. And Blanchett primarily watched Crowe in amusement, occasionally interrupting with a witty quip.
It’s obvious that Scott and Crowe are hoping that the “Robin Hood” movie will lead to a franchise, since the new movie deals with the origins, or “the motivations,” as Crowe put it, of the Nottingham bandit who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor.
But an informal survey of critical opinion after the Wednesday premiere indicated that the reception for “Robin Hood” was mixed. And if that sentiment translates to the box office, then this new beginning for “Robin Hood” may also be its end.
In person, Crowe is quite garrulous and intelligent, belying the bad-boy image of a pub brawler. He argued that previous versions of “Robin Hood” were lacking because they did not explain the hero’s motivations. In the new version, those motivations become clear. First, Crowe said, Robin Hood falls in love “with a chick,” played by Blanchett. Then he discovers the legacy of his father, who was executed when Robin was a child because of his egalitarian beliefs.
But many critics thought it was a long wind-up to the epic battle at the end, as the French attempt to invade England.
That brought up yet another jab at the press conference, when a reporter asked why this movie was chosen to open the Cannes Film Festival since it was anti-French.
Crowe quipped that he didn’t really see it as anti-French, and he pointed out that a French cook shoots the fatal arrow into the king of England, Richard the Lionheart. He said he was sure the French would find that amusing.
Associated press photo: Actor Russell Crowe, left, and Danielle Spencer arrive at the premiere for the film ” Robin Hood”, at the 63rd international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 12, 2010.
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By Lucilla
May 25, 2010 11:11 AM | Link to this
I loved Robin Hood! Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett were brilliant! I could watch them kiss for hours. I love Russell Crowe!