SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Day 7

Crowe Road

Foreign films don't attract as much hype for obvious reasons at Sundance. Catching them is generally tough as the festival rarely screens them to the press.

So it was nice to check out The Last Kiss from Italy, a delightful entry from Gabriele Muccino, who tells a multi-character tale about characters agonising about commitment. The director told me when we spoke that it was a personal tale, and this is a funny, very Italian comedy that has the potential to do well beyond its own shores.

As gracious and sweet as she was the first time we met 15 years ago, Nicole talked Golden Globes, learning Russian and taking risks. Moving from Australia to New Zealand, the highlight of this trip was Russell Crowe meeting and greeting the press prior to the premiere of his documentary, Texas. He was gracious, funny and charming, talking candidly about why he wanted to make this film and whether he would ever choose music or acting.

Then it was time to check out Crowe's debut as a producer, of the raw and kinetic Texas, a fascinating and enjoyable documentary that examines the relationship between Russell Crowe celebrity and Crowe the down-to-earth musician.

It presents Crowe in a different light, and on a wonderful journey behind the scenes of his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. Sometimes hilarious and always illuminating, Texas is a vivid music documentary that Crowe fans will love and appreciate, but it deserves to find an audience beyond that. The music is an added bonus to top it off.