Russell Crowe Hits Back After Tweet Says ‘Master And Commander’ Will Put You To Sleep

Russell Crowe was not pleased when an English singer-songwriter suggested a movie starring the actor might be a cure for pandemic-induced insomnia.

Ian McNabb took to Twitter on January 9 to suggest that those who are struggling to sleep during the coronavirus pandemic should watch the 2003 film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World to help them sleep as he had never “made it past the ten minute mark.”

“Lots of folk complaining about lack of sleep during the Pandemic,” he wrote. “May I recommend Master And Commander starring the usually captivating, attention-grabbing Russell Crowe.”

He added: “I’ve never made it past the ten minute mark. You’re welcome. And thanks Russell.”

Although McNabb tagged Crowe and included a still of the actor from the movie, it appears the tweet didn’t come to Crowe’s attention until this weekend.

He responded late on Saturday night in a tweet that described the film as “brilliant” and “definitely an adults movie.”

“That’s the problem with kids these days. No focus,” the actor wrote.

“Peter Weirs film is brilliant. An exacting, detail oriented, epic tale of fidelity to Empire & service, regardless of the cost. Incredible cinematography by Russell Boyd & a majestic soundtrack. Definitely an adults movie.”

McNabb responded early Sunday to note that, at 60, he is “four years older than Russell.”

Crowe’s response prompted “Master and Commander” to start trending on Twitter on Sunday as people weighed in on the film.

“That guy’s a f**king idiot, Russell. Peter Weir is a god, the movie’s amazing and you’re amazing in it. Thank you,” director Peter Ramsey tweeted.

Actor Josh Gad tweeted that it was “a perfect movie.”

Director and cinematographer Aaron Stewart-Ahn added: “Russ bro this guy probably thinks a strobe light is cinema…. that movie is more like Masterpiece and Commander: The Far Side of Awesome.”

Stephen Ford, another director, added: “If you can binge 12 hours of show with 6 filler episodes you can watch this amazing f**king movie. Master and Commander is a unique overlooked gem with great performances, incredible music and has probably one of the best endings in a film. Ever.”

Joel Meares, the editor-in-chief of review website Rotten Tomatoes, added: “Russell is not wrong. Master and Commander is a f**king masterpiece.”

But journalist Mehdi Hasan tweeted: “I preferred Gladiator. I think we all did, Russell!”

He added in another tweet: “Wow now I am getting attacked by Master and Commander fans. I never realized there were so many.”

A cardboard cut-out of Russell Crowe is seen during the 2020 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel at The Star on November 30, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images for AFI