Russell Crowe's highly publicised relationship with Meg Ryan had a "very destructive effect" on the United States release of their movie Proof of Life, says the film's director, Taylor Hackford.
The New Zealand actor and the American actress met and fell in love on the set of the film, which was filmed in Ecuador.
Soon after their relationship hit the headlines, Ryan and her actor husband, Dennis Quaid, divorced.
Speaking before the British premiere of Proof of Life, Hackford said the off-screen relationship had overshadowed the movie.
"It had an indelible and very, very destructive effect on the release of the film in the US because the real-life story overshadowed the movie," he said.
But Crowe, who has since split from Ryan, dismissed the suggestion. He said poor box office receipts in the US were because the film - a story of the lucrative kidnap and ransom business - was released at Christmas.
Putting the movie up against Christmas-oriented competition such as The Grinch had more of an effect on the box office than his relationship with Ryan.
"I would not be going to that sort of movie at Christmas time. I think it will be received in a different way in different parts of the world because of the time of release."
Crowe said the breakdown of Ryan's marriage had nothing to do with his relationship with her.
He and the actress remained good friends and spoke to each other regularly. "Meg Ryan is a beautiful and courageous woman."
Crowe, in London for last night's premiere, was to fly to Australia before returning to London for the British Academy Awards over the weekend.
He joked that he was looking forward to getting to work on a new movie as it would give him the chance for a rest.
He has been nominated for an Oscar for Gladiator but said his Bafta nomination was just as important because he was a member of the Commonwealth.
- NZPA
Crowe's affair with Ryan 'hurt movie'
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