“I love this man. Too bad he is such a jerk in real life.”
Not condoning his methods he uses in releasing his frustration (smashing phones against concierge’s heads), but the reasoning behind that frustration comes from being a very devoted family man that hates being away for so long and gets frustrated when he has issues attempting to communicate home (such as in the incident with the phone). Again not condoning his methods, but at least the reasoning behind it is pure. And yes he is a brawler, but having spent time with several Aussies, I get the impression that is typical of the Aussie male.
Also its funny, but Mr. Crow is one of those rare actors that both female and male audience seem to adore. He just reeks of manliness that seems to have been missing in Hollywood for some time. And I agree, bring on more “Master and Commander”!
I understand your point, which is why I always cut Crowe a lot of slack. And I always thought it was touching that this brawling, violent, hard-drinking womanizer fell back in love with a former girlfriend and decided he couldn’t live without her. (But then I’m a woman so I’m a pushover for stories like that.)