cinderella man review

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Average Ratings

Value for Money	10/10
Overall rating	9.7/10

100% Recommended3 out of 3 Reviews

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By Hank on 12th Sep 2005

Hank's Ratings

Starring Actor/Actress	Russell Crowe, Renee Zelwegger, Paul Giamatti
Where Did You See It?	Cinema
Value for money	10/10
Overall value	9/10
Hank's recommendation

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General Comments

After being disappointed with many of the big films this summer, the past month has restored my faith in movies after watching the awesome Cinderella Man as well Crash which was also excellent.

Cinderella Man is the true story of Depression Era boxer James J. Braddock who proved to be an inspiration to millions through one of the most amazing comeback tales in the sport's history. Russell Crowe plays the lead role of Braddock and puts in a moving performance and physically amazing performance as Braddock. Braddock is a devoted family man who at the beginning of the film has it all - nice house, car and a glittering in-ring career. All of this evaporates before his eyes though as his good luck turns sour due to a combination of the American Depression and recurring injuries. It is from here where we see Braddock and his wife Mae (Renee Zelwegger) at their lowest point, as their children go hungry due to them not being able to pay the bills. It even gets to the point where the once proud slugger is forced to beg for money from his former paymasters at the Boxing Board of Control.

The film really gets going when the comeback story starts to take shape when his old corner man Joe Gould, the outstanding Paul Giamatti, manages to get Braddock one last farewell match at Madison Square Garden. Braddock is supposed to be a whipping boy for a top contender, however nobody had quite counted on the heart of the Irish American....

I won't divulge any more plot details as I don't want to spoil this good old fashioned film for anyone, which is as much about relationships and desperation as it is about pugilism. The main players are all brilliant, Russell Crowe is commanding and sensitive as Braddock and is well supported by Zellweger, the wife who never stops worrying about her husbands deadly trade. Giamatti follows up his quirky turn in Sideways with another knock-out showing as Braddock's manger/cornerman/best friend Joe Gould, excelling in trash talking and enthusiasm that can't help but rub off on the audience.

This film will score no points for orinigality, but when a film is this good, who cares??

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