Russell Crowe - The Films Resource

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For The Moment - 1992

Favorite Scenes:

Lachlan reciting the poem “High Flight” to Lill; the beach scene; Lill finding Lachlan with Betsy; the graduation scene with Lill searching for Lachlan

High Flight
by John Gillespie McGee, Jr

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Comments about Russell:

Aaron Kim Johnston:

Johnston said the actor’s combination of presence, magnetism and skill results in a “real person to put in front of the camera. “He’s quite a perfectionist - - he’s very professional,” Johnston said. “He approaches his craft and work with great intensity and preparation and a sense of perfectionism that is consummate. That’s why he is where he is.”…….”I think he likes to be a maverick,” Johnston said with a smile. “It’s certainly part of his nature and the other part of it is that he likes to be a little bit of a disturber.”……”I think he’s going to cut some of the bullshit out of things. If Russell’s involved, chances are it’ll be a little less processed. And that’s a good thing for audiences.”

Dave Mahoney, location manager:

“He was very hard on himself, and maybe that’s why he’s so good. “From what I saw, as far as his temperament on set, I’ve seen a lot worse, that’s for sure. And from a lot less gifted. He was good, he knew he was good, and he expected good things from himself.”

Reviews:

James Belardinelli – Reel Views

“Russell Crowe (PROOF, THE SUM OF US) makes a wonderful romantic lead, blending charm, enthusiasm, good looks, and acting ability into his portrayal of Lachlan, who we're supposed to like, and do. In terms of talent, Crowe is far superior to anyone else in the cast, although most of his co-stars, including Christianne Hirt, make up for the deficiency with general likeability and appeal. And no one among the major players turns in a bad performance.”

Stephen Holden: The New York Times

"For the Moment," which was written and directed by Aaron Kim Johnston, focuses on the romance between Lachlan (Russell Crowe) and Lill (Christianne Hirt), the married sister of Johnny's sweetheart, Kate (Sara McMillan). Lill, whose husband has been away at war for two years, initially resists the gentle advances of Lachlan, a hardy poetry-spouting young pilot who drives around on a motorbike. Their relationship is all the more touching because the film resists obvious heart-tugging devices. They approach each another with the care of two grown-ups who, while helplessly attracted to one another, are all too aware of the emotional stakes.”

Kevin Thomas: LA Times Calender Live

"For the Moment" is an affecting wartime romance, but its potential impact is diminished somewhat by a plodding pace and too many extraneous elements; it's a two-hour movie that should have come in at 90 minutes. Even so, it's easy to care about Russell Crowe's Australian airman and Christianne Hirt's Canadian farm woman, who in predicament and environment bring to mind Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood in "The Bridges of Madison County." (…)”Crowe and Hirt, however, are highly appealing, and Lachlan and Lill emerge as individuals of substance. Their essential seriousness is set off effectively by another couple--the breezy Betsy (Wanda Cannon, a wonderful actress), who loathes the husband who's off to battle and has become the local hussy, and the handsome, big-hearted American flight instructor (Scott Kraft, also impressive) with whom she finds true love. "For the Moment" has an authentic period look and feel that is one of its key pluses. It's a nice movie that you want to be better than it actually is.”

DVD Review: Amanda DeWees

“The actors almost uniformly give natural, believable performances, although some of the smaller roles tend toward stock characterizations. Crowe is excellent as Lachlan, proving that even years before be became a box-office sensation he could anchor a film. His Lachlan could easily have been a mere stock character, the cocky young flier who learns some tough lesions about life and love (Top Gun, anyone?), but Crowe creates a character more complex, believable, and thoughtful, a man we quickly grow to care about. (It’s also great to hear Crowe speak in his own accent for once – and even use Australian slang.) Lachlan’s growing maturity through the film is poignant, as is the way he handles delicate emotional situations. His female lead turns in an equally fine performance: Christianne Hirt easily holds her own with the future superstar, bringing humor, intelligence, and strength of character to the role of Lill. The two have an unforced chemistry together, an easiness in each other’s company that makes them perfectly believable as two people falling in love. Both in the lighter moments of their sparring courtship and in the painful instances when they acknowledge how ephemeral their time is together, the two actors complement each other handsomely. As Betsy, Wanda Cannon is another standout, presenting us with a woman whom experience has not made bitter, although it has worn away some of her gloss. Capable of genuine affection toward the young men she takes to her bed, she’s nevertheless worldly-wise enough to know that love, even Zeek’s, doesn’t wipe away the past or guarantee the future.”

Web Related Links:

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Brandon, Manitoba

Location Photos Bill Hillman

Maximum Crowe's Films Section