Cinderella Man (2005)

Director: Ron Howard
Story: Cliff Hollingsworth, Akiva Goldsman
Cast: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti
Music: Thomas Newman
Time: 145 minutes
Bottom-line: Another excellent sports drama

Ron Howard’s 2005 sports drama, Cinderella Man finds both the director and Russell Crowe in fine form. The film traces the life of boxer James J. Braddock during the 1930s. Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti star in the supporting roles. While Howard’s other sports film, Rush concentrated more on the sport, this film focuses more on the personal life of Braddock, and how he struggles against unemployment and family problems.

Crowe as Braddock

James J. Braddock (Crowe) is a successful boxer from New Jersey, who is forced to give up boxing after breaking his hand in the ring. His license is revoked. His wife, Mae (Zellweger) is happy, for she cannot tolerate the violence, but at the same time, she knows there is no other source of income for their family of five. Braddock goes to work in the docks, but cannot find regular employment, as the Great Depression has set in. His long time friend and manager, Joe Gould (Giamatti) finds him a single fight, where Braddock surprisingly wins. Soon, Braddock returns to boxing, and he is named ‘Cinderella Man’, as he becomes famous for his rags-to-riches story. Does Braddock make a successful comeback? How do his wife and family react to his decision?

Zellweger as Mae 

Russell Crowe is superb as Braddock. He is not exactly a muscle man, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, nor does he resemble the actual Braddock, but in terms of acting, he is perfect. He deserved more praise and awards for his acting, in my view. Zellweger also performed very well, as Mae. Paul Giamatti was nominated for an Oscar for his performance, and he has done a good job. His character is also an important one, and he appears in most of the scenes in the film. The acting is so powerful that during Braddock’s fight with Max Baer (who has the reputation of having killed two people in the ring before), you will also be supporting and cheering (even if you are not a fan of boxing).

Giamatti as Gould

The boxing matches are well shot, and not much violence is shown on screen either. Like I said before, the film focuses on the personal life of Braddock, but I didn’t find any unwanted scenes. It’s a quite cleanly made film. Newman’s score is also good. The story can be taken as an inspiration, or you can take it just another sports film. But the way Crowe acts gives us hope when we feel that we are in a deep mess, and cannot get out. The scene where Braddock goes to beg money to pay for the heat might bring some feelings to your heart, and that is why you also support him (from the audience), in every fight. Look out for the scene where Braddock meets Baer in the restaurant, and of course, the fight between Braddock and Baer.

The real James J. Braddock 

So, Howard’s sensitive direction, and Crowe’s brilliant performance (with splendid support from Zellweger and Giamatti) take Cinderella Man past any normal sports film. It may not be as popular as Rocky, but this is a must watch, whether or not you like boxing.

My Rating: 4.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 80%