Cinderella Man

Universal Pictures and Miramax Pictures associated with Imagine Entertainment present

Starring: Russel Crowe, Renee Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Craig Bierko

Directed by: Ron Howard

Rating: *****

Plot: We follow Jim Braddock and his family as they strive to live through the Great Depression. Braddock was a heavy weight boxer but when he broke his hand in the ring he couldn't box anymore. From their things went downhill not getting work and begging his friends for money, but one lucky chance brought to him by his manager and coach Joe Gould played by the amazing Paul Giamatti he gives him one fight. It is suppose to be a warm up fight for a young fighter before he goes for the title, Braddock almost surprising himself knocks the guy out cold and from their he became an icon for people had barely anything to hope for. He symbolized their struggle and pain but he kept fighting, which is really the great story told here. Boxing and one incredible movie ensue.

Acting: People give Russel Crowe a hard time, sure he gets into bar fights and he is put in prison, but he is still a danm fine actor. I remember watching the Insider and I was amazed at how Crowe fell into character. Then I had a hard time thinking of a movie he was in that I didn't like, and frankly I can't. Across the board the man has given spectacular performances, the Oscar he got for Gladiator was well deserved but he was cheated out later on by not receiving a second for a Beautiful Mind. Then not really an Oscar worthy performance but a great one in Master and Commander. He's done it again here in this film, he totally becomes Jim Braddock and you believe it following him through his struggles, routing for him all the way. Now Renee Zellweger who I can only describe as cute also does a fine job here, sadly though there is something about her face and voice. Every time I see her is something I am never really taken away I just go "Oh there's Renee Zellweger". Her best performance by far was in Nurse Betty and maybe Chicago everything else has been, okay. That is not saying she doesn't do a fine job here playing Mae Braddock a tough lady who cares nothing more but staying alive and keeping a home. Now Paul Giamatti is one of my favorite actors. American Splendor is a fantastic film as is Sideways, where Giamatti was completely ignored by the Oscars which was shame. He is what puts the nail in for me in this film. Without his character the film would be dull with only sad concepts, here he brings a light to it only Giamatti could. This performance has Best Supporting Actor written all over it. Last but not least Craig Bierko plays Max Baer, the bad guy, a boxer who is more like an animal with a great right hook. I've never hated a character in so long it was actually refreshing to see a bad guy I actually disliked. So to sum up great acting all around.

Directing/Writing: Ron Howard is a class act who knows how to make kick ass movies. Here this movie pulls at you from different directions. First I want to talk about the boxing scenes which I think were well done and the best I've seen since Raging Bull. I have some minor complaints about shaking camera's and close ups, but whatever those are minor things. The movie is up close and personal with the boxers, you can almost feel every punch. Boxing wise this movie goes by the numbers but because Max Baer is so unlikable you find yourself cheering Braddock on which makes the final fight very intense and almost frustrating to watch, in a good way. The boxing is not the best part of the film though. The scene's depicting the Depression, it brings to light things Americans might want to think about with the economy we have now. If anything this movie gives you a sense of hope and pride about being human. That even at the worst of times, sure there are bad people who are greedy, but most will help others and try and keep things civil. We've lost this ideal in social values lately where most people care about themselves and money and cars etc. Here we see people fighting together to make four dollars and it is moving.

Overall: Not really sure if this is a summer movie. I think they should have opened this in December, would have done better box office wise in my opinion but whatever. It is great picture with a hell of a message, and hell some great boxing scenes too!!! Just one more classic on Howard's film list, this one you can't miss.