Russell Crowe slammed, "actresses should act their age"

Isn't it is amazing how middle aged men seem to have everything figured out? Microsoft boss Satya Nadella thinks that the best way for women to progress at workplace is by 'good karma.' In India, Khap leader Jitender Chhatar believes that chowmein causes rape; and now joining this league of extraordinary men, is actor Russell Crowe, who believes that “old actresses” are not acting their age.

In an interview with an Australian magazine, The Australian Women’s Weekly (yes, a women’s magazine,) the Oscar winning actor was talking about playing a father in his upcoming film. He said that Hollywood has roles for people of all ages, adding, "To be honest, I think you'll find that the woman who is saying that (the roles have dried up) is the woman who at 40, 45, 48, still wants to play the ingénue, and can’t understand why she's not being cast as the 21 year old.

"Meryl Streep will give you 10,000 examples and arguments as to why that's bullshit, so will Helen Mirren, or whoever it happens to be. If you are willing to live in your own skin, you can work as an actor. If you are trying to pretend that you’re still the young buck when you’re my age, it just doesn’t work."

This has fired up social media. What Russell Crowe seems to have ignored is that there is just one Meryl Streep. And what's wrong is playing roles younger to you anyway? While men like him, Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler and Leonardo DiCaprio remain more in demand as they age, there is no doubt fewer women get that luxury. But for those who can and want to look younger than they are, why should Crowe have an opinion on them? If he can be projected opposite young actresses, why can't women have the same field?

Adam Sandler and Brooklyn Decker in 'Just Go With It'
Picture By: Hotflick

While this incident has offended thousands of people around the world, the question remains:  it is just the actresses who are “trying to pretend that you’re still the young buck”? We all have the right to express our personal opinions but public figures like Crowe need to talk responsibly. When you just mention the actresses and not the actor (and clearly, most of them are middle-aged) it is offensive. Crowe is getting slammed, all for good reason then?

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