Russell Crowe starred opposite Denzel Washington in this sci-fi film 12 years before it became a $266 million hit.

Summary

• American Gangster is a highly rated movie starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, showcasing their exceptional acting skills.
• Virtuosity, starring Washington and Crowe, received poor reviews compared to the success of American Gangster.
• Crowe and Washington switch roles in Virtuosity and American Gangster, highlighting their versatility in portraying heroic and villainous characters.

Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington have starred in a notable action film before American gangster. American gangster is considered one of the biggest films of both Washington's and Crowe's careers, earning an 81% Rotten Tomatoes critic score and 90% audience score. Directed by Ridley Scott and written by Academy Award winner Stephen Zaillian. American gangster but also the starsChiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Carla Gugino. Washington plays Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin in Harlem, and Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts, determined to bring him down.

Crowe is noted for starring in major blockbusters Gladiator, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, 3:10 to washand Robin Hood. He made his feature film debut in the 1990s Prisoners of the sun and a three-time best actor Oscar nominee Insider and Beautiful MindHe won for his role as Maximus in Ridley Scott's film Gladiator. Washington is best known for his roles Remember the Titans, Equalizer trilogy, Training day, Malcolm Xand Flight. He received an Oscar twice for his roles Glory (1989) and Training day (2001) and was recently nominated for their roles The Tragedy of Macbeth and fences.

Russell Crowe vs. Denzel Washington 1995 Virtue – What It's About

Virtuosity fights a dangerous virtual reality that overlaps with the real world

Before starring in the hit 2007 film American gangsterRussell Crowe and Denzel Washington both appeared in the 1995 cyber action thriller. Virtue. The film received even worse reviews American gangsterearned a 32% Rotten Tomatoes critic and audience score compared to American gangster more impressive numbers. It follows the premise of the film a virtual reality simulation that replicates the personalities of real-life serial killers who somehow escapes into the real world. Washington plays one of his many cop roles Virtue and trying to track down virtual serial killers.

Despite the promising premise, critics were quite harsh Virtue. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote in his negative review: “Although Virtuosity connects all the dots to give audiences a roller-coaster ride, the film doesn't bring anything new: It's Stillborn.” Hal Hinson of The Washington Post wrote, “The world of virtuosity may be the new fad, but ideas are yesterday's news.” On the other hand, the legendary Roger Ebert gave the film a positive 3-star review, saying: “Virtuoso is an example of the struggle between formula and invention in Hollywood.”

American Gangster Cheats Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington's Virtue Roles

Washington tries to hunt down the scoundrel Crowe in Virtuosity

Both in terms of hero and villain Virtue and American gangsterroles alternate mainly between Crowe and Washington. In American gangsterWashington native Frank Lucas plays a notorious drug lord, and Crowe plays the New York cop who tries to bring him down. In Virtue, Washington plays a cop who has nothing to lose after killing a political terrorist who killed his wife and daughter. Crowe is given a second chance when he is tasked with tracking down SID 6.7, a virtual reality amalgamation of all the worst and most powerful traits of history's most notorious serial killers.

American gangster It showcases Washington's influence as a villain who delivers some of the best films of his career. Training day and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Virtue, on the other hand, puts Washington in the all-too-familiar hero role of a police officer looking for redemption, as seen in previous films. He fell, Déjà vuand Inside Man. Crowe hasn't played many antagonists throughout his career outside 3:10 Yuma and Les Miserablesdoes Virtue rare review experience despite mostly negative reviews.

American Gangster was a Bigger Hit Than Virtue

Virtuoso was less than a commercial and critical success

Virtue has apparently remained in obscurity for the past thirty years American gangster is still considered a certified classic crime thriller and one of Ridley Scott's best films. Virtue It grossed a total of $37 million worldwide against a production budget of $30 million while American gangster It broke the 20 highest-grossing films of 2007, grossing over $266 million against a production budget of $100 million. American gangster although nominated for two Academy Awards Virtue it was largely considered a commercial and critical failure. American gangster Available to stream on Starz and Virtue Available to stream on Prime Video.